Hot air balloons are the oldest successful human flight technology, dating back to the Montgolfier brothers' invention in Annonay, France in 1783. The first flight carrying humans was made on November 21, 1783, in Paris by Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes. Hot air balloons that can be propelled through the air rather than just being carried along by the wind are known as airships or, more specifically, thermal airships.

Attractive aspects of ballooning include the exceptional quiet (except when the propane burners are firing), the lack of any perceptible feeling of movement and the birds-eye view. Since the balloon moves with the wind, the passengers feel absolutely no wind, except for brief periods during the flight when the balloon climbs or descends into air currents of different direction or speed.

A hot air balloon consists of a bag called the envelope that is capable of containing hot air. Suspended beneath is the gondola or wicker basket (in certain, long distance or high altitude balloons, a capsule) which carries a source of heat capable of producing a sufficient temperature gradient between the air inside the envelope and the surrounding air mass to give enough lift to keep the balloon and its passengers aloft. Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom since the rising hot air only exerts pressure on the upper hemisphere of the balloon to provide lift. In today's sports balloons the envelope is generally made from nylon fabric and the mouth of the balloon (closest to the burner flame) is made from fire resistant material.

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Went hot air ballooning at Leeds Castle today. 1 item crossed of Things To Do Before I Die list. :)
tachophile (Jules) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:17:44 -0000
Went hot air ballooning at Leeds Castle today. 1 item crossed of Things To Do Before I Die list. :)
Up at 3am to go hot air ballooning for Ali's birthday: we are the opposite of everyone else at this hour - awake and sober.
simondarwent (Simon Darwent) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:14:23 -0000
Up at 3am to go hot air ballooning for Ali's birthday: we are the opposite of everyone else at this hour - awake and sober.
Alas, no hot air ballooning on this trip to #Cville, but plenty of foodie treats on the Mall, will walk it off on Jefferson's idyllic campus
etarichmond (Eleanor Angle) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:51:13 -0000
Alas, no hot air ballooning on this trip to #Cville, but plenty of foodie treats on the Mall, will walk it off on Jefferson's idyllic campus
btw....going hot air ballooning on monday morning!!! so fingers cross that the rain clears up for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Massy606 (Maz Murad) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:19:10 -0000
btw....going hot air ballooning on monday morning!!! so fingers cross that the rain clears up for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RT @milomade Up, Up and Away… http://retwt.me/MlcO - our day of hot air ballooning!
milomade (Evie Milo) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:17:48 -0000
RT @milomade Up, Up and Away… http://retwt.me/MlcO - our day of hot air ballooning!
RT @milomade Hot Air Ballooning… http://bit.ly/4Cctj6 - our first experience of hot air ballooning in prep for the real thing the day after!
milomade (Evie Milo) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:12:56 -0000
RT @milomade Hot Air Ballooning… http://bit.ly/4Cctj6 - our first experience of hot air ballooning in prep for the real thing the day after!

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