Hot Air Balloon (Standard)

The gentle giant of recreational aviation, floating on heated air/Transportation

A standard recreational hot air balloon envelope holds about 2,800 cubic meters of heated air, stands roughly 20 m tall and 15 m wide when inflated, and carries a wicker basket with 2-4 passengers plus a pilot. The nylon or polyester envelope weighs about 113 kg, while the complete system including basket, burners, and fuel weighs about 250 kg. The air inside is heated to about 100 degrees C above ambient temperature by propane burners producing up to 3 million BTU. Modern recreational ballooning began in 1960 with Ed Yost's flights.