Ballooning - Unique Source of Happiness

In this modern age when people think of flying they immediately think of airplanes. But what about ballooning tours? A balloon performs in ways an airplane can't, all in a peaceful degree of silence that almost makes you as if you were in direct in contact with the air. The ballooning method is about as close as most people can come to the actual feeling of flying - the way birds do it.

History Of Ballooning

The history of balloons goes back to the late 18th century, when the French brothers Josef and Etienne Montgolfier developed globe-shaped balloons that reached an altitude of 1600 to 2000 meters on a ten minute flight. On September 17, 1783 they sent aloft a sheep, a duck, and a rooster at a public demonstration at the royal palace of Versailles in the presence of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The flight covered two miles in a period of eight minutes and the animals survived unscathed.

On November 21, 1783 Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes became the first humans to take a free flight balloon ride. They flew over Paris at a height of 100 meters for 25 minutes, traveling 9 kilometers in the process. After this successful flight, a series of new tests were conducted throughout Europe and the United States.

It was not long before military theorists recognized the potential of the new craft and adapted balloons for combat reconnaissance service. During the wars of the 19th and the 20th century, balloons became one of the preferred ways for performing surveillance. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that stronger materials permitted balloons to achieve higher altitudes and to carry more weight.

Thanks to these advances, modern day ballooning evolved and became a safe and reliable means of entertainment travel, whether you're just floating over the city for the day or taking longer trips. But, is it really safe?

Modern ballooning is one of the safest ways to fly, as long as you do it with professionals who understand ballooning technique. Why? Because there are several things that need to be taken into consideration when flying a balloon, especially those that are weather related. If you don't know how to read the sky and how the conditions can change, then it's better not to try a flight.

How Do Hot Air Balloons Fly?

The scientific principle under which hot air balloons work is simple. Hot air weighs less than cold air and will rise into the atmosphere until it cools off and sinks again. The structure of the balloon holds the hot air which is maintained by a machine called a ballooning radiator. When the balloonist wants to land, he simply allows the air to cool off slowly so that the craft floats serenely down to earth.

Continue to: Perfect Guidelines for Ballooning for Beginners

Other Important Information for Adventure Travel
Can You Imitate Dolphins? Now, Start Swimming With Them
Explore Deep! Making Way for Effortless Hiking
Adventure Canoeing - Where and How to Go About it?
Dive with Ease! Get Set for Snorkeling
Adventure Rafting - Getting to Know the Basics

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Ballooning - Unique Source of Happiness

History Of Ballooning

How Do Hot Air Balloons Fly?

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