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What makes a hot-air balloon float?
What makes a helium balloon float?
(Both are lighter than air)
When was the first hot-air balloon
built?
(1783 in France)
How high can balloons go?
(All the way to 24,000' or higher, but typical flights
range from treetop height to 3-4000')
How do you steer a hot air balloon?
(You can't, really. Since the balloon goes where the
wind goes, the pilot can only "steer" by finding
different wind currents at different altitudes)
Are hot-air balloons safe?
(Any flight involves some risk. Balloons are a safe
form of flight, and the low rate of ballooning accidents
prove this. Many FAA regulations are in place to increase
safety, and a responsible pilot exercising good judgment
and following the regulations will rarely encounter
a situation that cannot be managed safely)
What weather conditions are best
for hot-air balloon flight?
(Calm surface winds, no precipitation and clear skies
are ideal)
Where are the best places to fly
hot-air balloons?
(Away from city congestion and powerlines, away from
large bodies of water, and near open spaces for landing
sites)
How far does a balloon fly?
(It depends on the speed of the wind. 5-10 miles per
hour of flight is about average. Higher winds can often
be found at higher altitudes, enabling the pilot to
fly further)
How much does a balloon cost?
(Typical prices are in the $10-30,000 range. Used balloons
can be less, special shapes considerably more, some
well over $100.000)
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