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Hot Air Ballooning
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The sensation of lifting off in a hot air balloon and leaving Mother Earth behind is an amazing experience, especially when one does it for the first time. The whole idea of drifting with the wind and not really being able to steer helps one to appreciate the great bravery of those first aeronauts who ventured aloft to explore an unknown world and showed that it was possible to fly.
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Hot air balloons work on the very simple principle that hot air rises. The air contained in the balloon envelope has a volume of approximately 100,000 cu. ft. and when heated by a very powerful burner causes the balloon to rise. The burner is attached below the envelope to the balloon basket which carries the pilot, passengers, fuel tanks and other equipment.
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The traditional method of basket construction using cane and willow is carried out by craftsmen and is still considered the most suitable means of producing flexible, robust and aesthetic balloon baskets. An average size balloon stands almost 80 ft. tall when fully inflated.
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Balloons generally fly in light wind conditions when the wind speed is not more than 10 miles per hour on the surface. The most suitable time of day for flying is just after dawn and for a couple of hours before sunset when light winds prevail. Although hot air ballooning is probably the most weather dependent of all aviation activities it is also one of the most pleasurable.
Hot air balloons are unique when compared with other forms of aviation. They float with the wind over treetops and towns giving passengers a panoramic view of the countryside. There is no sensation of speed and the general feeling is one of peace and tranquillity.
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Balloonists Irish Blessing
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Copyright © 2007 Irish Ballooning Association Limited. All rights reserved.
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