rules to play hot air ballooning

Rules to play Hot Air Ballooning

21. Weather sources we use
We use a vast array of sources to arrive at our go, no go decision. Most of our information comes from FAA mandated briefing sites that require a pilots license to access and a log in. You should know that we are required, by Federal Air Regulations, to obtain a complete weather briefing prior to every flight.

Many passengers obtain their own weather information from one of the many sites available on the internet we encourage you to take an active role in your flight but remember, we are looking at very different aviation weather information. Many of the reports available to the general public do not contain the information required for a pilot the FAA only recognizes a weather briefing provided by a Flight Service Station, or one of two Direct User Access Terminals (DUAT). We will be happy to discuss our decision with you but, the pilot in command is the final authority on a flight.

22. Events
There are many regular gatherings of balloons and balloonists around the world. Most of these events are held on an annual basis. The festivities provide both a place for balloonists to interact as well as a venue for entertaining spectators. Events range in size from a few balloons and no spectators to hundreds of balloons with hundreds of thousands of spectators. Two such events are the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
23. Eligibility
Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (U.S.) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees, officers and directors of Albuquerque Convention And Visitors Bureau, Simpleview, Miles Media and McKee Wallwork and company (the Sponsor), its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, webmasters/suppliers, and members of the immediate families (spouse, children, parents, siblings) and persons living in the same household (whether or not related) of such employees, officers and directors are not eligible. Void in Quebec and where prohibited.
24. Hot air balloon physics operation
If the balloon operator wishes to lower the hot air balloon, he can either stop firing the burner, which causes the hot air in the envelope to cool (decreasing the buoyant force), or he opens a small vent at the top of the balloon envelope (via a control line). This releases some of the hot air, which decreases the buoyant force, which also causes the balloon to descend. To maintain a steady altitude, the balloon operator intermittently fires and turns off the burner once he reaches the approximate altitude he wants. This causes the balloon to ascend and descend (respectively). This is the only way he can maintain an approximately constant altitude, since maintaining a strictly constant altitude by way of maintaining a net zero buoyant force (on the balloon) is practically impossible.

If the balloon operator wishes to move the balloon sideways (in a horizontal direction) he must know, ahead of time, the wind direction, which varies with altitude. So he simply raises or lowers the hot air balloon to the altitude corresponding to the wind direction he wants, which is the direction he wants the balloon to go.

The balloon stays inflated because the heated air inside the envelope creates a pressure greater than the surrounding air. However, since the envelope has an opening at the bottom (above the location of the burner), the expanding hot air is allowed to escape, preventing a large pressure differential from developing. This means that the pressure of the heated air inside the balloon ends up being only slightly greater than the cooler surrounding air pressure.

An efficient hot air balloon is one that minimizes the weight of the balloon components, such as the envelope, and on board equipment (such as the burner and propane fuel tanks). This in turn minimizes the required temperature of the air inside the envelope needed to generate sufficient buoyant force to generate lift. Minimizing the required air temperature means that you minimize the burner energy needed, thereby reducing fuel use.

25. Hot air balloon physics analysis
Lets examine the physics of a hot air balloon using a sample calculation.
The heated air inside the envelope is at roughly the same pressure as the outside air. With this in mind we can calculate the density of the heated air at a given temperature, using the Ideal gas law, as follows:
P = ?RT
Where:
P is the absolute pressure of the gas, in Pa
? is the density of the gas, in kg/m3
R is the gas constant, in Joules/kg.K
T is the absolute temperature of the gas, in Kelvins (K)
Now,
Normal atmospheric pressure is approximately 101,300 Pa
The gas constant for dry air is 287 Joules/kg.K
The air inside the envelope is typically heated to an average temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius, which is 373 K
Substituting the above three values into the Ideal gas law equation and solving for ? we get ? = 0.946 kg/m3. This is the density of the heated air inside the envelope. Compare this to normal (ambient) air density which is approximately 1.2 kg/m3.
Next, for an average size balloon with an envelope volume of 2800 m3 we wish to determine the net upward buoyant force generated by the envelope.
The net buoyant force is defined here as the difference in density between the surrounding air and the heated air, multiplied by the envelope volume. Thus,
FB,net = (1.2 0.946)x2800 = 711 kg (1565 lb)
This is the net buoyant force pushing upwards on the heated air inside the envelope. The hot air balloon components (such as envelope, gondola, burner, fuel tanks, and passengers) can at most weigh 711 kg in order for the buoyant force to be able to completely lift the hot air balloon off the ground.
26. High visibility
A hot air balloon or thermal airship can be seen much farther than any billboard. A sunrise hot air balloon ride with your companys brand takes off before that rush hour traffic hits and is flying high above for everyone to see.
27. Flexibility
We can customize hot air balloons to best represent your company. It is more than just changing the color of the balloon and adding your company name. We can even customize the shape of the balloon. Do you need a bottle shape? Maybe some other shape is best suited to represent your brand. Well we can work with you to get you the best branding for your company into the sky.
28. Branding
people will see the hot air balloon and your company brand will become etched in their minds. Your companys name and logo will associated with your business products, services, quality and creativity.
29. Versatility
you have many options for advertising and branding. You can choose a hot air balloon and have the balloon travel or have a tethered balloon at an event. We now also offer a newer option of thermal airships. These can be steered and maneuvered back and forth over an event for more visibility than your tethered hot air balloon.
30. Excitement buzz
when have you ever seen someone run up to a billboard to take a picture with it? Have you seen anyone chase down your magazine ad? We see it all the time with our hot air balloons and thermal airships. People literally chase down your balloon to see what name is on it. That is the kind of attention every company wants for their company.