A Short History and Explanation of Hot Air Ballooning

By CUO

Griffin Putland

Objectives

At the end of this lesson the student will:

• Know the key points in the early history of Hot Air Ballooning;

• Be able to identify the basic parts of a Hot Air Balloon; and

• Be able to state the basic principles involved in the flight of a hot air balloon.

History

• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Brothers.

History

• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Brothers.

History

• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Brothers.

• Originally it was thought that smoke caused the lift which made the balloons float.

History

• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Brothers.

• Originally it was thought that smoke caused the lift which made the balloons float.

History

• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Brothers.

• Originally it was thought that smoke caused the lift which made the balloons float.

• The first manned flight was on 21 Nov 1783.

Components

A Closer Look At The Basket

There is a simple idea behind the flight of a hot air balloon:

• Remember: hot air rises.

• The air in the envelope is heated by the burner.

• The temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the balloon causes it to float.

How It Works

Questions

QuestionsReview questions.

• What was the Montgolfiers’ Balloon made from?

• What is the largest part of the Hot Air Balloon called?

• Name the equipment that is typically carried inside the basket.

• Describe briefly how a hot air balloon flies.