subject: Napa Valley Hot Air Balloon Flying Tours and Attraction [print this page] Napa Valley Hot Air Balloon Flying Tours and Attraction
Brief History of the famous Hot Air Balloon:
Did you know that the hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology and is a subset of balloon aircraft? It was back on Nov 21, 1783, in the city of Paris few years before the French revolution broke out when the first manned flight was made by Jean-Franois Piltre de Rozier and Franois Laurent d'Arlandes , in a hot air balloon created by the Montgolfier brothers.
What is a hot Air Balloon?
A hot air balloon consists of a bag called the envelope that is capable of containing heated air. Suspended beneath is the gondola or wicker basket which carries the passengers and a source of heat, usually an open flame. The heated air inside the envelope makes it buoyant since it has a lower density than the relatively cold air outside the envelope. Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom since the air near the bottom of the envelope is at the same pressure as the surrounding air. In today's sport balloons the envelope is generally made from nylon fabric and the mouth of the balloon (closest to the burner flame) is made from fire resistant material such as Nomex
What are Hot Air Balloons Made of?
Envelope Rip-stop nylon is the most common material. Polyester, dacron and other fabrics are sometimes used. The lower portions around the opening are usually made from a fire resistant material like Nomex, similar to what race car drivers and firemen wear. It contains approximately 1,500 to 2,000 yards of fabric and more than three miles of thread.
Burner The burner is the power plant of the system. It is fueled by liquid propane carried onboard the balloon and generates up to 20 million BTU's of hot air per hour.
Gondola ~ Basket Woven wicker is used because it is lightweight, flexible and easily repaired.
Fuel System Hot Air Balloons use propane
How do Hot Air Balloons work?
Hot air rises. The air inside the envelope is heated by the burner. If the air in the envelope is allowed to cool or if the hot air is 'vented' (allowed to escape) from the balloon, the balloon will descend
What type of clothing should I wear?
Wear something warm as it will probably be cold when we start out. It might be a good idea to bring a hat of some kind as the heat from the burner flame can sometimes be quite noticeable. Also, you will need a pair of good, sturdy shoes.
How long does it take to inflate and deflate the balloon?
Once the envelope has been laid-out and the cables attached to the basket, a portable (gasoline powered) fan pushes air into the envelope. When the envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited and the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat the balloon will become buoyant. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It takes about the same amount of time to deflate and pack up the balloon after the flight
How far in advance do I need to book?
If you have a large group or would like to fly on a weekend you may need to book a couple of weeks in advance or even months during the peak seasons (April to November) But some days are busier than others so if you have a date in mind , please let us know asap.
Which season has the best weather for flying?
You can have good or bad days at any time of year, we take it on a day by day basis. But spring and autumn are typically has more flyable days than the other seasons in our California wine country
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