Executive Summary The basket on a hot air balloon serves as the foundation of every flight, combining strength, flexibility, and comfort to give pilots and passengers a safe place to…
Key Takeaways Instead of wheel- or yoke-controlled steering, which is found in airplanes or cars, hot air balloons must leverage wind layers at different altitudes to guide the flight. Hot…
Executive Summary Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier are credited with inventing lighter-than-air flight during the Age of Enlightenment in France. After doing a test run with animals, the Montgolfier brothers launched…
Key Takeaways The United States is home to some of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the world, offering visitors a fun and communal experience while enjoying the country’s…
Executive Summary Most commercial passenger hot air balloon rides cruise between 1,000 and 6,000 feet above ground, providing peaceful views and an immersive experience. The highest altitude ever reached by…
Key Takeaways Various aspects of weather, including wind speed, visibility, temperature, and moisture, all play a role in whether a hot air balloon can launch and how smooth the ride…
Executive Summary Due to strict regulations and the rigorous pilot training, hot air balloon rides are widely considered one of the safest forms of recreational aviation. The minimal safety risks…
