A hot air balloon has no engine. Instead, it has a propane burner to make hot air. Because hot air rises, the balloon will fill up and lift off the ground. The balloon pilot can make the balloon rise further by burning more fuel to heat up the air inside. To bring the balloon down, the pilot opens the top of the balloon to let hot air escape.
The main part of the balloon is called the bag, or the envelope. The basket is the part that hangs below to carry the pilot and one or more passengers.
Balloons drift with the wind, but are only flown on calm days, or with a light breeze. It is impossible to steer a balloon, so balloon pilots never know where they might end up landing. On the ground, a “chase” vehicle follows the balloon to meet the pilot when he or she comes down.
The most famous balloon festival is the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, held each October in New Mexico.
300 pounds (basket)
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15 miles per hour
