P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS • 66762www.pitsco.com

ADVENTURES INLIGHTER-THAN-AIR FLIGHT A colorful, carefully researched, up-to-date journey through the history and science of lighter-than-air flight. Meet the adventurers and scientists who, often at the risk of their own lives, made lighter-than-air flight a reality. View the anatomy of rigid and nonrigid airships, learn the real cause of the Hindenburg disaster, and discover what the Montgolfiers really thought made their balloons fly. Marvel at an incredible parachute jump from the edge of space and gain insight into the human spirit with the true story of the harrowing escape from East Germany of eight young people in a home-made hot-air balloon. During their journey, students learn about Archimedes’ principle, the density and lift of gases, atmospheric pressure, gravity, why air is called a fluid, how airships and balloons fly, and more. Includes science activities, classroom discussion questions, and instructions for building six-foot and nine-foot tissue-paper hot-air balloons. Paperback, 15 pages.57744

LIGHTER THAN AIR PAKContains materials for 25 students to participate in a

fabulous hot-air balloon activity. Students can pair up and create impressive six- or nine-foot balloons. One copy of Pitsco’s Adventures in Lighter-Than-Air Flight book is included.52728

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PITSCO DR. ZOONHOT-AIR BALLOON KIT This is a great way to introduce students to the principles of lighter-than-air flight, as well as the concepts of temperature, density, and buoyancy! The Dr. Zoon Hot-Air Balloon Kit provides students with everything they need to make their own hot-air balloons! The kit includes instructions, balloon construction paper, glue stick, pipe cleaners, and a balloon gore pattern. This hot-air balloon is approximately two feetin diameter.29609

PITSCO DR. ZOON HOT-AIR BALLOONS VIDEO Is Dr. Zoon full of hot air? We’re not sure aboutDr. Zoon, but we know his balloons are! In this colorful video, Dr. Zoon demonstrates how to construct a hot-air balloon using balloon construction paper (see supplies in this section), glue sticks, and pipe cleaners.Dr. Zoon provides construction steps and tips and also provides some scientific background so students will understand how hot-air balloons fly! Key concepts include buoyancy, density, and displacement. Time: 26 minutes.Level: Intermediate-Middle School59041

PITSCO ZOON BALLOON CLASS PAK The same materials as in the Dr. ZoonHot-Air Balloon Kit, just more ofthem – enough for 25 students tomake their own Zoon hot-airballoon. The class pack includes:• Assorted color tissue paper• 100 pipe cleaners• 25 glue sticks• 100 paper clips• 25 Zoon Balloon instructions • Zoon Balloon template29610

BALLOONCONSTRUCTIONPAPER

20" x 30" sheets.51934 Assorted colors (pkg of 100)

53749 Assorted colors (pkg of 480)

Additional hot-air ballooning products available from Pitsco

Contents of Package The hot-air balloon launcher package should contain the following items. If anything is missing, call Pitsco Customer Service at 800-358-4983.

• Launcher unit

• Torch kit

• Propane cylinder base

• Igniter

• Adventures in Lighter-Than-Air Flight book

• Instructions

• 3 nylon wire wraps

Tools and Materials You Will Need• Propane cylinder

Construct Balloons Assemble a six-foot or nine-foot tissue paper balloon according to instructions in the Adventures in Lighter-Than-Air Flight book. Or assemble a two-foot balloon as instructed in the Dr. Zoon Hot-Air Balloon Kit. If tether lines are desired, attach them to the balloon before launching. Tether lines can be made from kite string and will keep the balloons from drifting.

Choose the Right Time and Place• A cool, crisp morning is the best time to launch balloons.

• Air must be calm or the balloons will be blown away from the launch site.

• The launch site should be level and well away from buildings, power lines, and water.

Assemble the Launcher1. Set the launcher upright on a level surface.

2. Pull up on the inflation guides until they reach their full height. One at a time, twist the wire wraps onto the inflation guides. To do this, start on the right side of the guide and twist the wire wrap counterclockwise over the wire, pushing as you go, until the wire wrap covers the guide (Figure 1). Note: Step 2 is only for the first-time assembly. All other steps are for each use.

3. Remove the hardware from the torch kit, tilt the launcher to one side, and screw the torch handle into the fitting on the bottom of the launcher (Figure 2). Return the launcher to an upright position.

4. Inspect the unit for any loose parts, worn hoses, or loose connectors. Tighten or replace as needed.

5. Set the propane cylinder on the cylinder base. This keeps the canister upright and prevents tip-overs and flare-ups.

6. Attach the propane cylinder to the threaded valve fitting on the torch hose (Figure 3). Make sure there is a snug connection to seal the unit.

The Inflation Station User’s Guide 59014 V0605

Figure 1

Figure 2

Pitsco, Inc. is not responsible for bodily injury or property damage that results from misuse of its products. Use this product outdoors only and follow all directions and safety procedures to ensure student safety.

Note: To obtain the clearest images, the pictures in this guide were photographed indoors in a studio. When actually in use, the Hot-Air Balloon Launcher must always be operated outdoors, never indoors!

Chimney

Torch Handle

Propane Cylinder Base

Igniter

Torch Hose Threaded

Valve Fitting

Flow Valve

InflationGuides

Nylon Wire Wraps

Figure 3

Review Safety Procedures1. Supervise students while the launcher is lit.

2. Do not touch the grill near the chimney while the launcher is lit. It is very hot.

3. Do not lean over the launcher while it is lit. Clothing or hair could singe or ignite.

4. Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach when operating the launcher.

5. Store propane cylinders away from sources of heat and sparks.

6. Keep tissue paper away from the hot-air exhaust. Balloon tissue paper is flammable.

7. Operate the launcher outdoors only.

8. Keep students at least 10 feet from the launcher unless they are launching a balloon.

Launch a Balloon1. Review the above safety procedures before starting any balloon

launch.

2. Have the igniter ready. Open the flow valve slightly until you hear the gas escaping (Figure 4). Insert the igniter into one of the holes in the chimney and squeeze the trigger to light the gas within the launcher (Figure 5).

3. Open the flow valve completely after the gas ignites.

4. One person can guide the balloon over the inflation guides. Keep the balloon approximately one inch from the top of the launcher with one hand holding the bottom and the other holding up the top of the balloon (Figure 6). A second person can help to hold the top of the balloon so the first person may use both hands to hold the bottom of the balloon. If a balloon is too big for a student to hold up, assist them.

5. Continue holding the balloon until it contains enough hot air to keep its shape. Inflation times will vary depending on temperature and balloon size.

6. When the pull from the buoyant hot air is steady and strong, release the balloon into the air.

7. Repeat the steps above to launch successive balloons.

8. When finished, completely shut the flow valve to turn off the launcher and unscrew the valve fitting from the propane cylinder. Store the launcher and propane safely and apart from each other. Also, store the launcher with the inflation guides extended. Note: With use, the wire wraps will shrink a bit and the inflation guides will lower an inch or so. This is expected.

Got questions? We’ve got answers! 800-358-4983

WARNINGBalloon fabric is flammable. Never put the balloon flush with the top of the launcher or expose it to the hot-air exhaust for an extended period of time. Use Pitsco Balloon Construction Paper only. Do not use ordinary tissue paper – it has a lower ignition temperature and might catch fire.

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6