The hot air balloon is the most successful and oldest human-carrying flight technology. Its invention was by the Montgolfier brothers in Annonay, France in 1783. Do not mistake hot air balloons for those that can be propelled through air, instead of merely being carried by wing. These propelled balloons are better known as thermal airships.

Hot air ballooning consists of a scenic and vibrantly colorful gathering of people and their respective balloons. One hot air balloon has a bag called the envelope which contains hot air. Suspended beneath it is the wicker basket or in some long-distance or high-altitude balloons, a capsule. This will carry a source of heat capable of producing a sufficient temperature gradient between the air inside the envelope and the surrounding air mass. This is to ensure it has enough lift to keep the balloon and the passengers afloat!

Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom. This is because the rising hot air only exerts pressure on the upper hemisphere of the balloon to provide lift. These days, most envelopes of sports are made from nylon fabric and the mouth of the balloon is made from fire resistant material such as Nomex.

Today, hot air balloons are used primarily for recreation. There are about 7,500 hot air balloons operating in the United States alone. However, if you wish to take on this hobby yourself, you will need training and a pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and it must carry the rating of "Lighter-than-air free balloon". Unless you are also qualified to fly gas balloons, it will also carry this limitation: "Limited to hot air balloons with airborne heater".

For more information on where you can be a passenger, or how you can pilot your own balloon, browse Traveller Trail’s Travelogue and Directory for Ballooning!