Notes to be used to assist with Hot Air Ballooning Lecture

1. 4/7/2011
A Short History and Explanation
of Hot Air Ballooning
By CUO
Griffin Putland
Objectives
• Motivation: RAAF Balloon
At the end of this lesson the student will:
• Aims:
• Know the key points in the early history of • Give cadets a foundation of RAAF
Hot Air Ballooning; knowledge an discipline
• Develop an interest in the Royal Australian
• Be able to identify the basic parts of a Hot Air Force and aviation generally
Air Balloon; and • Instil a knowledge of aviation history
• Encourage cadets 2 continue an active
• Be able to state the basic principles interest in aviation into thier adult life
involved in the flight of a hot air balloon.
History READ THIS
• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from silk
• The first Hot Air Balloon was made from with a paper lining, in France by the
paper & silk in France by the Montgolfier Montgolfier Brothers.
Brothers. • The Montgolfier Family owned a paper
factory.
• They first had the idea when they were
• Originally it was thought that smoke caused burning some discarded paper, and the
the lift which made the balloons float. burning embers were carried into the air by
the smoke – or so they thought.
• They experimented with small paper
• The first manned flight was on 21 Nov 1783. prototypes (similar to below), catching the
smoke inside paper bags.
• The first manned flight was on 21 Nov 1783.
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2. 4/7/2011
Components • Envelope: largest part, tightly woven nylon
• Parachute: explain Control Lines
• Load Tapes: draw & show Crown Ring
• Basket: next slide
A Closer Look At The Basket
• Made from woven cane.
• Strong & flexible (hard landings).
• Gas Cylinders
• Burners
• Altimeter
• Flint
• Fire Extinguisher
• Handling Line
How It Works
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’.
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3. 4/7/2011
Questions • Envelope
Review questions.
• Fire Extinguisher
• What was the Montgolfiers’ Balloon made from? • Handling Line
• Gas Cylinders
• What is the largest part of the Hot Air Balloon • Flint
called? • Burners
• Altimeter
• Name the equipment that is typically carried inside
the basket. • The air is heated by the burner, becomes less
dense, and rises, pulling the balloon with it
• Describe briefly how a hot air balloon flies.
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