The balloon takes off. How to make a balloon. Molecules at different temperatures

Balloon control begins with careful preparation for the flight. First you need to know the weather forecast, paying special attention to such parameters as cloudiness, visibility and wind speed. Knowing the direction of the wind and weather conditions, the pilot plans the optimal flight path and looks for a good landing site for the aircraft.

Take off on a balloon

The flight begins with the choice of a suitable place for takeoff. Usually, a field or area free of trees and bushes is chosen for this. Then all the equipment necessary for the flight is unloaded to this place and installed. Gas burners are attached to the basket using special hoses and their working condition is checked. After that, the dome is stretched hot air balloon and connects to the basket using special carabiners. Then the pilot starts to heat it up, the canopy inflates and rises.

Preparation on average can last from 10 to 20 minutes.

Balloon control

At first glance, it may seem that piloting a hot air balloon is a simple matter and does not require special knowledge, but this opinion is erroneous. In fact, the control of the balloon requires special skills from the pilot.

The hot air balloon has no wings and no motor, and its movement is controlled only by burners and a valve. When the air is heated, the ball rises, and when the valve valve is opened, it begins to descend. Therefore, the height depends on the regulation of the temperature inside the dome.

The direction of flight is also related to the strength and direction of the wind. Pilots, given the characteristics of the wind on different height can control, change and direct the flight of the ball in one direction or in the other.

Ball landing

Before takeoff, the place of the likely landing of the balloon is usually planned, and when the time comes, the pilot informs the ground crew about the landing point. The team on the ground quickly goes to the place and helps the balloon to land. As a rule, pilots try to choose a place next to the roadway or in a meadow so that an accompanying car can drive up without any problems.

Landing is very simple: the pilot opens the valve and the air gradually exits the canopy. The ball slowly descends and, having reached the ground, lie down. The team deflates the remaining air in the dome and packs the balloon.

Everyone rests differently. Someone is holding free time with a book in hand, and someone likes to receive thrill– for example, scuba diving or skydiving. Hot air balloon rides are among the unusual, exciting types of recreation. One has only to imagine flying by the will of the wind at an altitude of three hundred meters, and it is already breathtaking. Hot air balloon travel is not the best cheap entertainment, but even one flight is remembered for many years!

Which of us has not dreamed of flying in a balloon, being in a balloon basket, testing our courage and admiring the city from a height ... Someone was stopped by fear, someone by price. A lot of people just don't think it's that easy.

The hot air balloon is the very first aeronautic device invented by man. The most amazing thing is that it is still very popular in last years. And this is quite understandable. It is difficult to describe the feelings of a person flying in a wicker basket three hundred meters above the ground. It seems that there is no basket, and only the wind carries you, and an amazingly beautiful view opens below.

Progress has given us many of the most different types transport. But this does not mean that the former ones cease to be used forever. Of course, on a modern airliner you can get into Right place in a matter of hours, but in a hot air balloon you can take a romantic walk, test your courage and admire great views. Today it is quite real. You just need to remember that ascent into the sky in a balloon is a rather serious adventure, and in order to minimize the risk, you must carefully choose the company that organizes your flight.

Videos and photos of such flights can be easily found on the Internet. But it is one thing to look at photographs, and quite another to be in the basket of a hot air balloon and experience the amazing sensations of flying. Not everyone decides to do this, and even risky skydiving is much more popular.

Every person at least once in his life wants to do something special, to test his courage, willpower, to get new impressions. Traveling in a hot air balloon is romance, delightful emotions, and of course, a dose of adrenaline when you feel how the balloon is rapidly gaining height, and three hundred meters of air separates you from the ground under the deceptively thin, thin bottom of the basket. But at the same time, hot air balloon rides are one of the most safe species recreation. The design of the balloon virtually eliminates the possibility of an accident.

What does a balloon consist of and how does it fly?

A hot air balloon consists of a basket and a shell that is filled with hot air - everyone knows this. Naturally, the balloon flies only in the direction of the wind, and the pilot during the flight can only control the burner by adjusting the air temperature, that is, by decreasing or increasing the altitude. But what about the route? Of course, there is, but it is planned even before takeoff, based on weather conditions - primarily the direction of the wind. Naturally, the wind can change during the flight, but the balloon does not rise into the air without an escort car that follows the balloon and picks up passengers at the landing site.

Flying enthusiasts balloons are available all over the world, and they can offer hot air balloon travel, both for money and for volunteering to help their ground crew. If you have already tasted the delights of such flights and now want to pull the lines and light the burner yourself while traveling solo, then first you need to take a course of training and certification. Knowing how a hot air balloon works will give you an edge and help you decide if this hobby is right for you.

Steps

Part 1

Basics

We understand why the ball flies. The principle of operation of balloons is very simple. As you heat air or any other gas, it becomes less dense. Just like an air bubble rising in an aquarium, hot air will rise above the denser, colder air that surrounds it. It is worth heating the air in the balloon to the desired temperature, and he himself will be able to lift up both the dome and the basket along with all its contents.

We study the design of the ball. Its device is so simple that you can already easily navigate it, learning the necessary terminology will help you and your team communicate with each other:

We wear protective clothing. The pilot must wear goggles as he will be near the flames. Also, the pilot and crew must wear heavy duty gloves, long sleeves, and long pants made from fabric that is free of nylon, polyester, and other flammable materials.

Everyone who is in the basket should keep in mind that the balloon can land in mud or hard-to-reach terrain, and therefore the clothes and shoes worn should be as comfortable as possible.

In order to rise higher, you need to release more propane. To increase the supply of propane to the fire, you need to open the blast valve on the hose attached to the gas cylinder, which is usually located directly under the burner, more. The more you open the valve, the large quantity hot air will rush into the ball and the faster it will rise. .
- Dropping the ballast or any heavy object placed on the sides of the balloon will reduce its overall density and cause it to rise as well. For obvious reasons, this technique is not recommended when flying over populated areas.
Learning how to stay at a stable height. Like any object that is warmer than its surroundings, the balloon cools down over a long period of time, which causes it to gradually descend. To stay at the same height, you must use one of the tricks:

To lower, open the parachute valve. Remember that the parachute flap is the flap at the top of the envelope. In the normal state, it is hermetically sealed and, in order to open it, you need to pull the red sling, which is called the rupture sling. This allows hot air to escape through the top. Keep the line taut until the ball drops to the correct mark. Then, release it and the flap will close again.

We control the direction of decline or rise. It is impossible to directly influence the direction of balloon movement. There are several air currents that are layered one on top of the other. Raise or lower the ball, catching different cross-flows of air, and it will change direction. Pilots are often forced to change the route of their movement, adjusting to the desired air flow.

Check the strength of the wind. Knowing when to cancel a flight is a very important factor in pilot training. Flight at strong wind extremely dangerous and prohibited. Beginners must follow simple rule: fly either in the first hours after sunrise, or a few hours before sunset, when the wind direction is more predictable and its speed is low.

Check for life support items. At a minimum, the basket should contain: a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a topographic map, an aviation map, an altimeter (a device for measuring altitude) and a flight log in which the pilot records all the details of the flight. Check the propane tank sensor. You need to be sure that they have enough fuel to fly - usually about 30 gallons (114 liters) per hour. For long flights, you will also need a radio and possibly electronic navigation equipment.

Fill the balloon to take off. Almost all balloons require the help of several people to get off the ground. First, the burner must be secured to the frame of the basket and positioned to the side of the envelope that is lying on the ground. Raise and straighten the mouth of the envelope, and for ten minutes use a powerful pump to pump in air, which is then heated by a burner. Usually, while the balloon is preparing to fly, the basket on the ground is held by people or tied to a car. When the passengers and the pilot are seated in the basket, the pilot releases a powerful jet of flame from the burner and the ball lifts off the ground.

During the start, you need to be extremely careful. The pilot must be very focused and watch how the envelope is inflated, and the ground crew controls all the lines. Constantly look around in all directions to spot trees or other objects that the ball may stumble upon during takeoff. As soon as you feel the first gust of wind during the ascent, immediately fix your eyes on the obstacle that is located along the take-off course and do not break away from it until the balloon has overcome the obstacle. This helps to quickly fix the deviation from the course and immediately respond to it, accelerating the takeoff.

Study all the weather phenomena in the flight area. To be certified as a balloon pilot, they must pass a meteorology test to understand how temperature, altitude, and humidity interact and influence each other, and what they can tell you about the state of the air. different kinds clouds. Of course, listing everything in this instruction will not work, but a couple of examples can be given:
- Significant changes in wind direction as you ascend or descend are called gusts and require special attention, because they can speed up or slow down your movement. If a strong gust of wind extinguishes the flame of your burner, light it again and, in order to avoid falling, heat the ball as quickly as possible.
- If the balloon reacts slowly to your actions, or you notice that the air is being wasted instead of rushing you up, then you are in an "inversion" - a condition in which the higher you rise, the warmer the air around you becomes . You can compensate for the inversion by increasing the amount of heated air or vice versa, by decreasing it, depending on the direction of movement.
Check the direction and speed of the wind, learn to read the weather map, use this data to get an overall picture of the speed and direction of the air currents. To find out local conditions, spit or spray some shaving cream on the edge of the basket.

Learn to navigate. In order to plot a course and flight altitude, balloon pilots are trained to use topographic map and an altimeter. Obtain an aviation map from the regional aviation authority and use it to bypass airliner flight routes. A GPS module will also come in handy, magnetic compass and a pair of binoculars, but these are not needed for short flights unless required by local ballooning regulations.

The flight can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It all depends on the speed and direction of the wind on the day of the flight. Flight duration is limited by the size of our flight area, which includes the Pushkinsky district of St. Petersburg.

Are parachutes issued?

Parachutes are not issued, as flights take place at relatively low altitudes and, if you urgently need to land, it will be faster and safer to land in a hot air balloon.

Are passengers insured?

Hot air balloons belong to general aviation. And in aviation without fail are insured passenger seats on aircraft. Therefore, stepping on board a balloon, you are already insured.

How long have you been flying with passengers?

More than 5 years in St. Petersburg.

How many passengers can fly in the basket?

2-4 passengers, depending on their weight and flight season.

What does the whole process look like, starting from the moment of the meeting?

Traveling across the sky begins from the moment the beginner balloonists meet with the crew.

Then we take our passengers to the launch site, this stage usually takes no more than half an hour. After that, you can watch the filling of the balloon with air and the preparation of the team for takeoff, or we can bring you directly to the moment of launch, if you so desire. The process of preparing the balloon for takeoff also takes about half an hour. After takeoff you can admire the sights, the flight usually lasts from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the direction and speed of the wind.

From the moment you take off on the ground, an escort team will follow the flying balloon, which will meet you at the place of your landing, and after the traditional balloonist initiation ceremony, which will take about 30 minutes, we will take you back to the meeting point.

How long will all activities take?

The entire process from meeting with the team to returning to the meeting point can take up to three hours. In this case, the pilot before the start can postpone the flight for the required time, in order to wait for more comfortable weather conditions for takeoff. We recommend that you allocate at least 5 hours for the flight, including the road.

Can my friends and family see my flight?

will be unique and one of a kind.

We decorate with balloons: we inflate the balloons with our mouth, pump, helium, gases.

If you are reading this article, then you are planning to decorate the room with helium-filled balloons and at the same time do not want to buy an expensive balloon. Yes, and you should not - because there are many ways to do without a balloon and save a lot of money at the same time!

If you inflate the balloon with your mouth, you will get a fun toy, great decor, but it will not fly like balloons in the cartoon Up! In order for a balloon to fly, it must be filled with a gas that is several times lighter than air. Thus, according to the laws of physics, the air will push out the gas, and accordingly the ball will fly higher and higher, as long as the thread holding it allows.

How to inflate balloons with helium at home

So, we know two types of filling balloons - one, with an ordinary pump or mouth, then the balloons are light, but at the same time they are still drawn “to the ground”. It is good to decorate flat surfaces with such balls, as well as floors in photo zones.

The second method of filling can be called "flying balloons", since balloons are filled with gases that are lighter than air and therefore they rapidly rise up.

In the second method, there are two directions to inflate the balloon. The first, more expensive, but at the same time, the balloon will please you for 2-3 weeks. This is a portable gas cylinder with a liquid that, penetrating into the balloon along with helium, forms a dense film inside the balloon and prevents gases from escaping through the latex. The second method is more economical, but it is worth noting that balloons inflated with soda and vinegar last only 12-14 hours.

To work, you need strong air balloons and a portable tank of helium and liquid.

We put a ball on the cylinder tube so that its edges are tightly pressed and sealed. We hold the ball in the process so that it does not fly off and the helium is not wasted.

We unscrew the valve, and the filling of the ball begins through the tube. Please note that the process is fast, and accordingly it is better to keep the valve open for no more than 3-4 seconds. It's better to open the faucet for a few more seconds to add more than to overfill the balloon so that it bursts.

Having closed the balloon, carefully remove the ball and immediately tie it, in case of doubt about the strength of the knot, you can make two.

It remains to tie the ribbon and decorate the room!

The balls are inflated by mouth, it seems like it’s easy, but when there are a lot of them, this is a whole test for a person. Therefore, take a regular bike pump and put on a ball adapter, or a special ball pump.

Now we put the ball on the tip of the pump and holding it so that the ball does not fly off, let's think of it. After the balloon is inflated to the desired size, carefully remove and tie in a knot. Ready!

It would seem that it could be easier than blowing up a balloon with your mouth. If you think this is easy, then you have never blown up 100 balloons in an hour! Especially if these are high-quality, dense balls.

So, in order to simply and quickly inflate balloons with your mouth, you need to:

We knead the ball: we stretch it in different directions, but so as not to tear and there were no cracks;
Now we take the ball and clamp it with the thumb and forefinger so that the tail is oared on one side and the hole on the other;
We bring the ball to the lips and, as if kissing, pressing it to the lips;
We take a big breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth, and so on until the balloon is fully inflated;
Tired and need a break? Pinch your thumb and forefinger, and take a break. Have a rest? Bring to your lips and keep pouting;
At the end, it remains to press with two fingers and tie the ball.

Do you have a goal to keep the balloon flying and don't have the budget to buy a balloon? We propose to do without it and inflate with hydrogen.

Required:

A small flask or container of this type;
Measuring spoon;
Alkali - caustic soda or sodium hydroxide;
Heated water;
Foil.

Fill the flask halfway warm water, tear the foil into small pieces and send it to the water. Add 3 teaspoons with a slide of alkali and quickly pull the ball itself onto the neck.

We begin to shake the flask so that the alkali begins to interact with the foil, while holding the edge of the ball so that it does not fly off.

As soon as the foil dissolves in the liquid, and the balloon is completely inflated, you must immediately remove the balloon from the neck and tie it in a knot, otherwise it will immediately begin to deflate.

We note right away that this method is good for preparing a small number of balls, since the process is very long.

And this method is so simple and accessible that even a child can handle it. In addition, the ingredients can be found in any kitchen.

Required:

9% vinegar, sold in the nearest supermarket, and which is used in canning;
Baking soda, which is purchased for baking;
2l plastic bottle;
Spoon.

So, for starters, pour a liter of vinegar (half a container) into the bottle and prepare the ball. It is best if the work process is done by four hands. One pours a tablespoon of soda, and the second immediately pulls the ball. As in the previous methods, be sure to hold the tip of the ball.

As soon as it ceases to swell - immediately remove and tie.

In order to inflate a balloon in a balloon, you need to stretch a large balloon in different directions and carefully work out the neck.

Now we place a small ball inside so that the tail peeks out from the large ball.

We inflate a small balloon, tie it up and stuff it completely into a large balloon. Also repeat with the remaining 2-3 balls. Now take a big balloon and inflate it. As the balloons inflate, they will be in free space and will soar there.

Video: How to inflate balloons in a balloon. Legkov

How to inflate a figured balloon, figure, long, sausage: tips

Long balls were originally created as a kind of ball, but skillful hands have learned to create all kinds of animals from them, etc.

In order to inflate an even long balloon, you need to use one of the above methods, but to create a figure, you must not completely inflate the balloon so that it bends easily.

How to create an animal, number, flower, etc. in our selection below.

Video: NUMBER 1 unit FROM LONG CDM BALLOONS figures from do-it-yourself balloons TWISTING BALLOON NUMBER 1

Video: Number 1 from many round and long balls

Video: Flower of balloons shdm / Flower of balloons.✿

Video: DOG FROM A LONG BALL OF CDM how to do it yourself How to Make a Dog With Twisting Balloon

Video: Saber from balls ShDM

Sometimes, especially when there is a large package of balloons in your hands and there is no time and money to run to the store for new balloons - they stubbornly do not inflate. There are a few tips to help inflate any balloon.

Container with warm water - fill the balls and let them stand for a few minutes. (warm but not hot!)

Now we gently stretch our hands in different directions and send them on a towel so that all the moisture from their surface is absorbed.

We inflate, struggling with resistance (the first 1-3 exhalations), then the balloon will begin to inflate much easier.

If a child wants to inflate, but does not succeed in any way, inflate and deflate the balloon and only then give it to the child. Thus, the child will easily overcome the resistance in the pre-stretched ball.