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| The envelope, the "balloon" part, is made of reinforced fabric called rip-stop nylon, or dacron. It is very light weight, but very strong. The fabric is coated on the inside to prevent leaks. The basket is made from wicker rattan and each one is individually woven by hand! |
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| They come in many sizes and just about every shape you can imagine! The average balloon ranges in size from 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet in volume and stands around 8-10 stories tall! |
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| The balloon goes where the wind takes it, however, winds blow in different directions at different altitudes, much like currents in the ocean. So we may ascend or descend to find a wind blowing in the direction we want to go! Balloons go as fast, or as slow, as the wind. |
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| The air is the most stable, and usually the calmest, within the first hour or two after sunrise and before sunset. These are the times of day the balloons will fly. |
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| All balloons require a "chase crew" to help inflate and, as they are appropriately called, "chase" the balloon with the recovery vehicle by following closely as they can, the route of the balloon during flight. Once the balloon lands, they help pack it up and celebrate another wonderful flight! |
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| Absolutely! A Balloon Pilot Certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. You must pass an FAA written exam, have a certain number of flight hours in a balloon, make a solo flight, and make a flight to altitude. Then you must pass an oral exam and a flight checkride. |