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Discuss “How Things Work: Hot Air Balloons”

Hot air balloons seem ever-ready to take to the skies, standing firm and upright, bobbing in the fresh air.

After reviewing the weather forecast, the pilot marks a wide, open space — free from any trees, poles, or power cables — as the take-off point. Reassured by the clear sky and mild breeze, the pilot slips on flame resistant gloves and climbs into the bowl-shaped wicker basket.

The basket is still attached to the ground crew vehicle, so it does not elope with the wind before the passengers climb aboard.

The average-sized hot air balloon is filled with 105,000 cubic feet of hot air and can carry four passengers. However, if hot air balloons were equipped with a larger wicker basket, they could carry up to 16 passengers.

Besides...

Comments

Comment 1. Darling
Dec 04, 2007 at 02:37 AM

Poorly researched and largely inaccurate.

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