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Hot air balloons DON'T need any ballast. However gas balloons which get their lift from lighter-than-air gases, typically helium or hydrogen, do need ballast. The ballast allows the pilot to control the altitude at which the balloon flies. To gain altitude the pilot releases some ballast or vents out some gas to descend. During flight some gas will be lost through natural losses through the material of the gas envelope and the pilot counters the loss of lift by releasing ballast to maintain the altitude he wants. On long distance flights the variation between night and day time temperatures affects the amount of lift the gas exerts of the balloon. This requires further adjustment of gas venting or release of ballast to maintain the desired altitude.

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Q: Why does a hot air balloon need ballast?
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About how much ballast does a tour hot air balloon have onboard?

The amount of ballast a tour hot air ballon would need is about six bags of sand. You will need engough support to hold the big group of passengers.


What qualifications do you need to fly a hot air balloon?

qualifying in a hot air balloon and a pilots license.


How does a hot air balloon gain altitude?

Altitude is controlled by the propane burner and the parachute valve. The parachute valve is an opening at the top of the balloon envelope. When closed, it traps hot air from the burner inside the balloon, making the hot air balloon rise. When opened, it allows hot air to escape, and the hot air balloon descends. The reason a hot air ballon rises is because the density of the balloon is less than the density of the surrounding air. Its the same thing as "why does a boat float". In the case of the balloon, the operator modulates the flame on and off to maintain the desired altitude - increase the flame, and the balloon goes up - decrease or shut off the flame, and the balloon goes down. A better metaphor to a boat is a submarine - add ballast and the submarine goes down - blow ballast and the submarine goes up.


What do you need to go hot air ballooning?

a hot air balloon


Does a hot air balloon need CO2 to lift?

no, hot air air is used


What should a hot air balloonist do to go higher?

They can drop weight over the side, increase the hot air volume, or both. A hot air balloon will rise when its buoyancy exceeds its weight. So the balloonist can increase the buoyancy by increasing the amount of hot air contained in the balloon. Or they can simply reduce the weight of the balloon, including the gondola, its contents, and contained hot air.


What would you need for a hot air balloon?

For as long as it can provide hot air.


Does a hot air balloon need heat or cold air to float?

hot


Why does a balloon need hot air?

Hot air is less dense compared to cold air. The heated air in the balloon will rise, making the balloon float in the air.to make it rise.


Why does a hot air balloon need flame in order to take off?

A Balloon needs hot air to rise, the flame, which is gas burning, heats up the air in the balloon. As Hot air rises above cooler air the balloon takes off.


Why does hot air balloon need fire so that it can fly?

To produce the 'hot air' that goes inside the balloon to make it fly.


How does a candle powered hot air balloon work?

Yes, a candle can power up a hot air balloon. But you need a mini one to do the experiment. search hot air balloon experiment on Youtube for videos.