What Causes Hot Air Balloons To Rise? Find Out Here!

How Does Hot Air Balloons Able To Rise?

Many people have wondered how hot air balloons are able to rise into the sky. As the weather has different air temperature or air pressure and summer approaches, many people begin to think about getting that hot air travel they’ve always wanted.

It’s a thrill to be airborne, but how are hot air balloons able to rise higher than other aircraft? What causes hot air balloons to rise?

Hot air balloons rise because of a difference in pressure between the air inside the balloon and the air outside of it.

Hot air balloons rise as hot air expands and displaces the heavier, cooler air. Unlike jet engines, their source of power is the sun’s heat, which is unlimited.

They are also filled with helium, which gives a balloon its buoyancy as opposed to just being made of rubber or other gas that would make it heavier (less buoyant).

Hot-Air Ballooning take a lot of work to make and lift, but they’re also extremely powerful and their beauty is unmatched.

It’s no wonder that so many people have invested in building their own hot air balloons. But, before you get too attached to your new hot air balloon, it’s important to understand a few basic balloon facts to keep things safe.

Two Ways that Allows Hot Air Balloon Rise

There are two ways that the hot air balloon can rise:

• The Propane cylinder

The propane cylinder is a way that allows hot air rises. It is also known as a hot air balloon which is the main power behind the hot air balloon flight.

It is used to heat a large volume of air and create buoyancy which in turn allows the hot air balloon to rise. A hot air balloon can rise by using heated air in the balloon.

A propane cylinder that is attached to the bottom of the balloon heats the air inside the balloon, and the hot air inside the balloon makes it rise.

• Hot air balloon burners

The hot air balloon can rise through using a burner to heat the air inside the balloon. The burners are used to heat the air which in turn is used to lift the balloon.

A hot air balloon gains buoyancy due to the heat that is caused by a flame came from the burner, which is used to heat the air inside the balloon.

The flame heats the air inside the balloon which causes the air to expand and rise. The greater volume of air in the balloon causes the balloon to expand.

The hot air balloon will float towards the top of the air due to the density of the air and the particular gas balloons in the air (which depends on the weather conditions).

How Does Hot Air Balloon Work?

The hot air balloon is a flying machine that is kept afloat by beating heated air into it. The heated air is produced by a flame such as a propane torch or a wood fire.

The flame heats up the air inside the balloon and some of that heated air escapes. This defeats the force of gravity and propels the balloon into the air.

The lifting power of the heated air inside the balloon is counteracted by the weight of the balloon itself, the modern balloon baskets, the passengers and anything else that is being carried.

Hot air balloons are lightweight but very strong, strong enough to carry human passengers up to over 3000 feet into the air.

They use hot air to inflate their balloons, which allows them a lot of lift and allows them to fly at modern high-altitude balloons.

Several Things Needed Before a Hot Air Balloon Trip

If you’ve ever wondered what it is inside a hot air balloon, here’s your chance to find out. It’s a balloon, and there are parts to be removed, but more than that, each of these parts is an entire story.

Here are the parts of a hot air balloon, and a little about each one.

• A basket to carry the passengers in. Also known as gondola, a container that holds the balloon and the passengers who are being lifted by the heated air. 
• The balloon itself. It is made of thin, light material. Filled with hot air. The hot air makes the balloon float.
• The burner to heat the air in the balloon envelope. A flame that heats the air as it is released from the balloon.

• Throat. The opening at the bottom of the balloon.
• The hot air balloon envelope. It is a large bag that contains the heated air generated by burners, which is used to lift the balloon.

• Basket Skirt. A piece of cloth around the basket that prevents the balloon from touching the ground.
• The wicker or netting. It works to catch the air and make the balloon float.
• A flight rope or foot rope. A flight rope is a length of sturdy rope anchored to the ground on each side, used to secure a hot air balloon to the ground.
• Safety parachute. The FAA requires a passenger safety parachute for any hot air balloon carrying more than one person.

Along with the necessary supplies to fly, such as a fire source, gas, and people, it needs a safety parachute.

• Liquid propane tank. The propane tank used during flight is typically about 80 pounds. Therefore, at least a 20 LBS propane tank is needed in addition to the one mounted to the balloon itself.

And your pilot must be certified to operate a propane usage balloon.

Basic Hot Air Balloon Facts

1. A balloon driver is the person onboard the balloon that is responsible for maintaining the safety of the balloon. Passengers are not permitted to touch the burner or the burner controls.

2. A hot air balloon is capable of flying in winds off as little as 3 mph, but it is most comfortable if the wind speed is 10 mph or more.

3. The most common cause of death in a hot air balloon is a crash or balloon landings, not flying. 

4. Ballast is the material used by the balloon to maintain its altitude. Ballast works by changing the weight of the balloon.

5. Hot air ballooning are a form of aircraft that can be used for recreation and for a number of purposes like advertising, education, and observation. They are often called air balloon balloons.

6. Hot air balloon steering is a skill that is best mastered by first learning about flight dynamics and aerodynamics.