Interesting facts about balloons
Many people dream of flying in a hot air balloon, because it is a very unusual means of transportation. Such excursions are becoming increasingly popular. Some even organize business related to flying in hot air balloons, which turns out to be quite profitable. Such a trip becomes an unusual and exciting experience. A huge balloon floating in the sky looks spectacular. Abroad, flights on such transport are especially popular in Turkey over Cappadocia – this entertainment is offered to almost all tourists. To fly in a hot air balloon if you want is also possible. This unusual entertainment ensures a lot of vivid emotions. Flying a balloon is no less interesting than betting at online casinos https://onlinecasinozonder.nl/legitimatie/.
The most interesting facts about balloons
Let’s list a few informative factors about balloons. This information will be of interest to anyone who is planning a balloon trip.
You need a license to drive the balloon
Not everyone can operate a hot air balloon, you must first obtain a special license. Request permission to fly from the competent supervisory authorities that control the airspace. To obtain a license, a pilot is required to successfully pass an examination. Training takes place mostly in the summer, such a service is not cheap. Classes may be individual or group.
You can fly around the world in a balloon
Residents of Switzerland and Great Britain were the first in the world to fly around the world in a hot-air balloon. Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones began their unusual journey on March 1, 1999. They set off in an easterly direction to circumnavigate the planet, it did not take them long. They landed on March 21 in Egypt.
Many have attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a hot-air balloon, but not all of them were successful. Such a trip is better to plan for the period from mid-December to the end of winter, when the upper atmospheric layers are blowing with easterly winds.
What is the maximum altitude at which a balloon can fly?
Balloons can travel at considerable altitudes. The world altitude record was set by Vijaypat Singhania on 5.11.2005. He was able to ascend the balloon to 68,986 feet. The traveler started from central Namibia and landed after 240 km in Panchala. The previous record was 64,997 feet and belonged to Perot Listerand, who set it on 6.06.88.
Differences between a balloon and an airship
A balloon and an airship are flying devices invented by humans to conquer the sky. The difference between them is quite significant. A balloon moves along the earth’s surface under the influence of the wind. An airship has an engine that activates the propellers – like airplanes. It also has rudders that allow it to move in different directions.
What is the largest balloon in the world?
Balloons differ not only in color, but also in size. The largest was inflated at an airfield located in Houston – this happened in 1998. The record was set by Vickel Donahue. The size of the balloon was 42.7 meters, and its height was 13.7 meters.
In today’s world balloons are used only for entertainment
In the modern world balloons are used mainly for entertainment purposes. They decorate grounds and halls, on the occasion of all kinds of celebrations. The bright look of balloons elevates the mood, contributes to a festive atmosphere. The balloons filled with helium are especially popular. They are also quite often used for advertising purposes.
Balloons are used in astronautics
An Arizona company conducts test flights in balloons. Scientists believe that this mode of transport is capable of delivering a person to the border of space. The trip is planned to be carried out in a basket with view windows, from where there is a beautiful view of the Earth.
The rocket is planned to be attached to a balloon filled with a gas lighter than air. This structure rises above the dense atmospheric layers, reducing aerodynamic losses. Next, the separation of the rocket takes place. The advantage of this technology is that there is no need to “punch” through dense atmospheric layers.
How were balloons used in the past?
Tens of years ago, balloons were used mainly in aeronautics. Kites, which can be considered their counterpart, were very popular.
Another unusual way to use large inflatable balloons was to hang powder bombs from them.
Balloons were used in warfare
Balloons in military operations began to be used in the nineteenth century. It is not known for certain when the first balloon attack was made. Balloons were used to create tether barriers in the path of enemy aircraft. During World War II, balloons were also used; they were used to erect entire scaffolds over Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities. They prevented the free flight of bombers. But initially they were still used for reconnaissance purposes.
When was the first balloon flight?
The first time the balloon was used as a means of transportation was on 21.11.1783. It was the first ever human flight in this form of “transport”. The pioneers of aeronautics are the Montgolfier brothers, they dreamed of creating a flying machine that would take people into the air. The first flight without a man was 5.06.1783, that balloon was filled with hot smoke.
The updated version of the balloon was larger, its height was 22.7 meters and diameter was 15 meters. In the lower part there was a circular gallery, which could accommodate 2 passengers. But the French king did not allow the inventors to personally participate in the flight. The chemist Jean François Pilatres de Rosier and his friend Marquis François Arlandes took part in the first hot air balloon tour.
Flying in a hot air balloon is a vivid adventure, extremely popular in the tourism industry. The main thing is to remember the rules of safety, not to neglect the preparation.