Ballooning
Taking Flight Through The Sport of Ballooning Hot air balloons delight people with their beauty and grace as they sail across the sky. However, as beautiful as these balloons may be, they also are central to the rising sport of ballooning. Ballooning as a sport is gaining popularity throughout the world.
Hot air balloons date to 18th century France when the Etienne brothers created the first hot air balloon. They were joined in their ballooning efforts by the French scientist Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and soon the trio invented a vessel that could carry passengers. The French king Louis VXI took notice of their invention and ordered that two criminals man the balloon's first flight. However, Rozier petitioned the king and was allowed to become the balloon's pilot in its first tethered flight.
Hot air ballooning gained momentum in the U.S. in 1960 when Ed Yost used a hot air balloon for a short free flight in Bruning, Nebraska. As a matter of fact, there are now over seven thousand hot air balloons in use in the U.S. Since Yost's flight, hot air balloon festivals, such as Huff N' Puff in Topeka, Kansas, have become popular summertime venues. These events acquaint the public with the sport of ballooning by allowing people to witness the balloons being inflated and then launched into the early morning skies. People are even invited to take rides in the balloons at many of these festivals. These events also allow ballooning companies to advertise their availability for birthday party, wedding, and other special occasion flights.
While balloon enthusiasts enjoy educating the public about their sport, they must also pay close attention to the skill and care it takes to maneuver these vessels through the skies. These balloons utilize hot air to rise and sail with the wind. The area of the balloon that receives the hot air is called the envelope. Keeping the envelope full of the right amount of hot air is crucial to the balloon's flight and the safety of its passengers. Balloon pilots must also take care to launch their vessels in the ideal location. Pilots seek open areas to launch their balloons in order to gain the safest ascent into the sky. Most pilots also wait until early mornings to launch their balloons. Early mornings generally feature the gentlest wind speeds and clearest visibility for pilots to navigate their balloons.
As with any sport, ballooning can be full of hazards. Ballooning accidents occur when they collide with power lines, trees, building, and even other hot air balloons. Crash landings also have been noted to occur. Balloon pilots must undergo extensive training before being allowed to sail a balloon. Balloon flights in the U.S. are monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Despite the possibility of crashing or colliding, balloon enthusiasts continue to promote their sport. Some balloon fans even strive to hold the record for the longest or highest balloon flight. Hot air balloons have been known to travel as high as 70,000 feet in the air and travel as far as 150 miles. The record for the farthest balloon flight belongs to Cameron Balloons, with one of its manned balloons traveling 46,759 kilometers.
Ballooning as a sport continues to gain popularity across the world. Festivals celebrating this sport are held allow the public to witness these vessels and to learn more about ballooning. Since its invention in 1783, hot air ballooning has made its mark on the world.
Hot air balloons date to 18th century France when the Etienne brothers created the first hot air balloon. They were joined in their ballooning efforts by the French scientist Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and soon the trio invented a vessel that could carry passengers. The French king Louis VXI took notice of their invention and ordered that two criminals man the balloon's first flight. However, Rozier petitioned the king and was allowed to become the balloon's pilot in its first tethered flight.
Hot air ballooning gained momentum in the U.S. in 1960 when Ed Yost used a hot air balloon for a short free flight in Bruning, Nebraska. As a matter of fact, there are now over seven thousand hot air balloons in use in the U.S. Since Yost's flight, hot air balloon festivals, such as Huff N' Puff in Topeka, Kansas, have become popular summertime venues. These events acquaint the public with the sport of ballooning by allowing people to witness the balloons being inflated and then launched into the early morning skies. People are even invited to take rides in the balloons at many of these festivals. These events also allow ballooning companies to advertise their availability for birthday party, wedding, and other special occasion flights.
While balloon enthusiasts enjoy educating the public about their sport, they must also pay close attention to the skill and care it takes to maneuver these vessels through the skies. These balloons utilize hot air to rise and sail with the wind. The area of the balloon that receives the hot air is called the envelope. Keeping the envelope full of the right amount of hot air is crucial to the balloon's flight and the safety of its passengers. Balloon pilots must also take care to launch their vessels in the ideal location. Pilots seek open areas to launch their balloons in order to gain the safest ascent into the sky. Most pilots also wait until early mornings to launch their balloons. Early mornings generally feature the gentlest wind speeds and clearest visibility for pilots to navigate their balloons.
As with any sport, ballooning can be full of hazards. Ballooning accidents occur when they collide with power lines, trees, building, and even other hot air balloons. Crash landings also have been noted to occur. Balloon pilots must undergo extensive training before being allowed to sail a balloon. Balloon flights in the U.S. are monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Despite the possibility of crashing or colliding, balloon enthusiasts continue to promote their sport. Some balloon fans even strive to hold the record for the longest or highest balloon flight. Hot air balloons have been known to travel as high as 70,000 feet in the air and travel as far as 150 miles. The record for the farthest balloon flight belongs to Cameron Balloons, with one of its manned balloons traveling 46,759 kilometers.
Ballooning as a sport continues to gain popularity across the world. Festivals celebrating this sport are held allow the public to witness these vessels and to learn more about ballooning. Since its invention in 1783, hot air ballooning has made its mark on the world.