What do you know about hot air balloons?
Hi, I’m Vlad. Let’s read some interesting facts about hot air balloons with me.
A hot air balloon is a type of aircraft. It is lifted by heating the air inside the balloon, usually with fire.
The hot air balloon is the oldest form of flying technology that can successfully carry people. The earliest use of hot air to make objects fly was made in Ancient China. They sent paper lanterns into the air for signalling.
The first hot air balloon to carry a person was invented by the Montgolfier brothers. On 19 September 1783, they demonstrated their invention at the French court in Paris. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. They flew for 480 metres. The first flight carrying a person was on 15 October 1783. It carried Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier. The balloon was attached to the ground by a rope. The first free flight, without being attached to the ground, was a few weeks later, on 21 November 1783.
A hot air balloon festival is a type of an air show. It is where ballooners display and fly their balloons together. During these events, they fly in the morning and in the evening if the conditions allow it. People can enjoy a balloon flight if they pay. There are many activities. Sometimes, the balloons are lit up against the night sky.
There are many hot air balloon festivals held around the world including those held in Turkey, New Mexico, Egypt and Tanzania. The largest hot air balloon festival takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, each year. During the Balloon Fiesta, you can see 700 balloons in the air over nine days, in all shapes and sizes.
At these festivals, people can see different shapes of balloons. Usually, they are kind of round but they may have forms. Some hot air balloons are designed to look like animals, various objects and even cartoon characters.
Bristol, the UK, is the world’s biggest manufacturer of hot air balloons. The hot air balloon is a classic symbol of Bristol. Bristol is home to Europe’s largest hot air balloon fiesta every August.
The average height a balloon flies is 2,000 feet (609.6 metres). The world record for height reached in a hot air balloon is 68,900 feet (21,000.72 metres).
Richard Branson took the longest hot air balloon flight on record leaving Japan and arriving in Northern Canada. His hot air balloon speed also set a record at 245 miles per hour (394 km per hour).
Hot air balloons are used primarily for recreation today.
Would you like to try hot air ballooning?
Hi there! Did you know where and how the hot air balloons were invented? I didn’t know until I read this post. While on vacation, I often saw hot air balloons and wanted to fly on them, but my parents did not allow me, so I just admired them. I was very surprised to hear that the first testers of hot air balloons were animals, and I was surprised that only warm air will be able to lift such a large object. I think that a hot air balloon is a very cool invention and I think that I will definitely fly in a hot air baloon some day!!!
I especially thank Vlad from the bottom of my heart for sharing the most valuable information with us.