How do balloons fly?
Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises. As the air inside the balloon cools, it descends. To make the balloon fly, an inflator fan fills it with air, which is then heated.
Can you steer a balloon?
Winds determine a balloon's direction. Balloonists can steer a balloon, to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon's altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions.
Why do balloons fly in the early morning and late evening?
Winds are generally most favorable the first hours after sunrise and the last hours before sunset. The sun's uneven heating of the earth's surface causes strong, variable winds. In the morning, it takes a few hours for the sun to heat the earth's surface enough to generate the thermal activity that creates wind. In the evening, the sun's intensity has diminished enough to reduce winds to acceptable flight levels. Ideal winds are 3 to 6 mph.
How high do balloons fly?
Balloons typically fly from treetop level all the way to several thousand feet, depending on what the pilot is trying to accomplish. The world record in a stock Aerostar hot air balloon is over 32,000 feet!
