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From Augusta, Georgia to Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can find Richard Ret, Captain of Sunny Horizons and RE/MAX 1 at many fundraisers, school seminars and flying events the world over, or just "drifting over your neighborhood." Richard is an accomplished commercial and instructor pilot and a successful Real Estate Broker. Call Richard Ret truly "Above the Crowd." | |
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| What
are hot air balloons made of? The bag - or envelope, as it is more properly called - is made of a reinforced fabric called rip-stop nylon. The material is very light weight, but is very strong. The fabric is coated on the inside to prevent leaks. |
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How is it
inflated? During the inflation process, ballooning becomes a group sport. Since a balloon is quite unweildy on the ground, expecially in gusty winds, it takes about four people to get the balloon inflated. Of course, the more people there are, the more fun you can have. To start off, the envelope is stretched out on the ground and attached to the basket, which is lying on its side. A small gasoline-powered fan blows air into the balloon. Then the burner is turned on, and the air in the balloon is heated. The hot air rises, lifting the balloon upright. |
| What are the baskets
made of? The baskets are made from rattan and each one is individually woven by hand. |
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| How big
are hot air balloons? The typical sport balloons range in size from 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet in volume and stand around 70 feet tall. |
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| How do
you steer the thing? Strictly speaking you don't. The balloon goes where the wind takes it. However, the winds at varying altitudes may blow in different directions and at different speeds, so the trick is to climb or descent to an altitude where the wind is blowing in the direction you want to go. |
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| How fast
does it go? As fast as the wind. Or as slow. since the balloon has no forward propulsion system, its speed is determined entirely by the speed of the wind. That's why balloon races are strictly races of accuracy, not speed. |
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| When is
the best time to fly a balloon? Usually just after sunrise and one or two hours before sunset. this is the time of day when winds are calmest and the air most stable. |
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| How long
can it stay up? It depends. Normally, the balloon carries enough fuel to remain aloft for 2 hours, but factors like outside air temperature, weight being carried in the basket, and weather determine the duration of the flight. |
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What kind
of fuel is used? Propane, kept in pressurized tanks on the floor of the basket. The balloon carries 30-40 gallons of liquid propane. It is carried under pressure and passes to the burners through flexible hoses. When the valves are opened, the propane atomizes and is ignited by a pilot light in the burners. The flame may shoot out as much as ten or twenty feet, making a loud "whoosh". |
| How do you get back? With the help of friends who drive a van or pickup truck. This chase crew follows the flight of the balloon (as well as the existing road allows) and should be on hand to make the recovery when the balloon touches down. |
| Do you
need a license to pilot a balloon? Yes. A Balloon Pilot Certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. You must pass an FAA written examination, obtain a prescribed number of hours in a balloon, make a solo flight and a flight ot altitude, pass a flight test and submit a medical statement. |
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