A lighter-than-air device. Examples include hot air balloons, gas

balloons and dirigibles. An “aeronaut” is a person who pilots a

lighter-than-air craft. ▲

Balloon Crew —

A group of about four people who function both as ground crew, helping

with pre-flight preparations, and chase crew, retrieving the balloon

after its flight and packing it back into the chase vehicle. ▲

Also called the “gondola.” Most are made of wicker, although other

materials, including fiberglass and aluminum, have been used. Wicker

is preferred because it is more flexible on landing. ▲

Box —

Flying back and forth over the same area by using winds of opposite

directions at different altitudes. A common phenomenon in valleys

because of the drainage of air down mountains. ▲

Burners —

The fuel-burning source of power of the modern hot air balloon,

consisting of coil tubing and a fuel-injecting nozzle. A double

burner system generates up to 30 million BTU’s per hour. A pilot

“burns” by turning or pulling the blast valve. ▲

Chase Vehicle —

The truck, van or trailer carrying the balloon components, pilot and

crew. It is frequently decorated with corporate, commercial or

personal logos and designs. ▲

Crown —

The top center point of the balloon envelope. Attached to the crown

is the “crownline,” which a crewmember holds taut when the balloon

is being inflated, preventing swaying of the envelope. ▲

Deflation —

The pilot of a hot air balloon deflates the envelope by “ripping

out” the top panel, the deflation port, of the balloon with a

ripcord, or deflation line. ▲

Distortion —

The variation of the standard inflated shape of a balloon, caused during

inflation by strong winds or by “wind sheers.” “Spinnakering” (a

sailing term) is the distortion of an envelope being inflated or

tethered in a high wind. ▲

Envelope —

The fabric bubble of modern ripstop nylon or other synthetic

material. Load tapes running vertically down the envelope end in

cables that attach to the basket’s uprights. ▲

Festival —

One of many names for a hot air balloon meet or rally. Other names

include Balloonfest, Classic, Fiesta, Race, or Stampede. A hot air

balloon Championship tends to be a more formally competitive and

controlled event. ▲

Free Flight —

Untethered, a balloon drifting with the wind. ▲

Inflation —

The filling of an envelope with cold air from an inflator fan and

hot air from burners. After the envelope is about three-quarters

filled with cold air, hot inflation begins. ▲

Laying Out —

Walking a balloon envelope out of its bag and spreading out the

fabric, readying it for inflation. ▲

Maneuvering Vent —

A slit in the side or top of the balloon envelope, opened by the

venting line for the spilling of hot air from the envelope. Venting

enables the balloon to descend faster than it would normally by the

cooling of the air inside the envelope. Venting can also be used to

rotate the balloon. ▲

Montgolfiere —

>The generic word for the hot air balloon, named for its inventors,

Joseph and Etienne Montgolfiere. “Charliere” is a rarely used term

for a gas balloon, named after its inventor, Professor Jacques

Charles. ▲

Pibal —

A helium-filled pilot balloon release to ascertain the directions

and velocities of wind at different altitudes. ▲

Special Shapes —

Balloons of other than standard shape, such as a flying saucer, a

dinosaur, a cowboy hat, a pink elephant, a polar bear, or a sneaker.

These balloons are constructed with multiple compartments. Balloons

with appendages built off the standard balloon shape are a little

more difficult to handle than a standard balloon. Exceptionally

horizontal or vertical shapes, though, require minimal wind for

inflation and landing. Magellan Bear pic here ▲

Splash and Dash —

A maneuver in which a pilot tests his or her flying skill by

descending to the surface of a body of water, touches the water with

the basket, and ascends again. Other exercises are “tree-topping,”

touching the tops of trees in flight, and “kissing,” touching the

envelope of another balloon in flight. ▲

Tether —

A secured line restricting the ascent of a balloon. Used by pilots

to give short “rides” to the public. ▲

Thermals —

Updrafts caused by heated air rising from the ground. By flying

early in the morning or late in the afternoon, balloonists avoid

these potentially dangerous conditions. ▲

Throat —

The mouth of a balloon envelope, usually bordered by a skirt or

scoop to help direct the heat of the burners into the envelope. ▲

Winds Aloft —
The winds at different altitudes. ▲