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Piloting a balloon takes skill, but the controls are actually very simple. To lift the balloon, the pilot moves a control that opens up the propane valve. This lever works just like the knobs on a gas grill or stove: As you turn it, the flow of gas increases, so the flame grows in size. The pilot can increase the vertical speed by blasting a larger flame to heat the air more rapidly.

Additionally, many hot air balloons have a control that opens a second propane valve. This valve sends propane through a hose that bypasses the heating coils. This lets the pilot burn liquid propane, instead of propane in gas form. Burning liquid propane produces a less efficient, weaker flame, but is much quieter than burning gas. Pilots often use this second valve over livestock farms, to keep from scaring the animals.

Hot air balloons also have a cord to open the parachute valve at the top of the envelope. When the pilot pulls the attached cord, some hot air can escape from the envelope, decreasing the inner air temperature. This causes the balloon to slow its ascent. If the pilot keeps the valve open long enough, the balloon will sink. Essentially, these are the only controls -- heat to make the balloon rise and venting to make it sink. This raises an interesting question: If pilots can only move hot air balloons up and down, how do they get the balloon from place to place? As it turns out, pilots can maneuver horizontally by changing their vertical position, because wind blows in different directions at different altitudes. To move in a particular direction, a pilot ascends and descends to the appropriate level, and rides with the wind. Since wind speed generally increases as you get higher in the atmosphere, pilots can also control horizontal speed by changing altitude.

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Related Questions

Why does a hot balloon fly?

A hot air balloon flies because it is filled with hot air. Hot air rises and causes the balloon to lift from the ground.


Why does a hot air balloon fly?

A hot air balloon flies because hot air inside the balloon is less dense than the cooler air outside. This temperature difference creates lift, allowing the balloon to rise and float in the air. By controlling the temperature of the air inside the balloon, the pilot can control the balloon's ascent and descent.


Why is an hot air balloon called a hot air balloon?

A hot air balloon is called such because it is filled with hot air to make it rise. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes less dense than the surrounding cooler air, causing the balloon to float upwards.


What is a hot-air balloon pilot called?

A hot air balloon pilot is called an aeronaut.


Why does balloon fly?

The hot air inside the balloon expands, making the hot air balloon fly.


When you heat the air inside a hot air balloon, it rises. Why does this occur?

D: The hot air inside the balloon becomes less dense than the air outside the balloon.


Why did they call it the hot air balloon?

A hot air balloon is called an hot air balloon because, the inside is heated up to make it less dense, allowing it to rise. Meaning, your heating up the air inside the balloon, hence, the name: Hot air balloon.


When does a hot air balloon rise?

When a hot air balloon is filled with the hot air the air around the balloon is a lot denser. So by convection the balloon rises and the less dense air is replaced by dense air underneath it.


What is the Tagalog of hot air balloon?

There is specific Tagalog translation of HOT AIR BALLOON? HOT - maiit AIR- hangin BALLOON- lobo


What does the hot air balloon have in the middle?

The hot air balloon has a basket in the middle, which holds passengers and the pilot. The basket is attached to the envelope of the balloon, where hot air is used to generate lift and make the balloon float.


How does a hot air balloon stays in the air?

A hot air balloon can stay in the air because the hot air is less dense than cool air. The hot air that is blown into the balloon causes it to rise and a burner is used to heat the air inside of the balloon to keep it floating.


Is a hot air balloon a balanced or unbalanced force?

A hot air balloon is balanced because the upward lift force from the hot air inside the balloon is equal and opposite to the downward force of gravity on the balloon and its contents. This balance allows the hot air balloon to float in the air.