Hot Air Balloon Introduction

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Inflating the balloon. The envelope is pulled toward the crown line Resistance on the crown line aids inflation.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflating the balloon.
The envelope is pulled toward the crown line
Resistance on the crown line aids inflation.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
On our latest educational outing, the HAWK Youth Aviation Group introduced our young members to the world of hot air ballooning, expanding their knowledge beyond fixed-wing aircraft, motor gliders and FAA ground school and flight training.

Under the guidance of our experienced mentors, the youth participants were actively involved in:

  • Laying out the Balloon: The team carefully spread the balloon on the ground, preparing for inflation.
  • Inspection: each member learned how to inspect the balloon for safety, identifying key components and checking for any potential issues.
  • Safety Education: We covered essential safety aspects of ballooning, including crewing responsibilities and emergency procedures.
  • Cold Inflation: The group practiced cold inflating the balloon, followed by detailed inspection of the parachute top, ensuring it was correctly installed and operational.
  • Turning Vents: Instructions on how to manage the turning vents were given, teaching control over the balloon descent and landing procedures.
  • Inflation and Burner Operation: With the balloon fully inflated, several kids had the opportunity to operate the hot air balloon burner under strict supervision, experiencing firsthand the mechanics of balloon operation.

Parents and adult volunteers were integral to the success of the day, assisting with the inflation process and providing additional guidance.

This event not only served as a practical introduction to hot air ballooning but also reinforced the importance of teamwork, safety, and hands-on-learning with aviation.

According to Google, the average annual salary of a hot air balloon pilot in 2024 is $130,000.
Hot Air Balloon Introduction

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Checking layout prior to inflation Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Checking layout prior to inflation
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Readying for inflation Note tie-off rope to van Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Readying for inflation
Note tie-off rope to van
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Holding the throat open. This allows the fan to fill the envelope with cold air. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Holding the throat open. This allows the fan to fill the envelope with cold air.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Luke and Britan fixing tangled vent line cables
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Luke and Britan fixing tangled vent line cables
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Tabbing in the top while others inspect and hold the crown line. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Tabbing in the top while others inspect and hold the crown line.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Note, the crown line is held close, so as not cross the runway (Never loop the rope around any body parts) Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Note, the crown line is held close, so as not cross the runway (Never loop the rope around any body parts)
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partial inflation - tabs are in place Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partial inflation – tabs are in place
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partially cold inflated - Short crown line to allow passage. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partially cold inflated – Short crown line to allow passage.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflated balloon, pulled toward the crown line Resistance on the crown line keeps the envelope from swinging through the flame during inflation. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflated balloon, pulled toward the crown line
Resistance on the crown line keeps the envelope from swinging through the flame during inflation.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
The HAWK balloon crew Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
The HAWK balloon crew
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the envelope Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the envelope
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Bagging the last of the envelope and shaking the bag Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the last of the envelope and shaking the bag
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Hot Air Balloon Introduction
Balloon Flying Handbook, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2008, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-11.pdf
Balloon Flying Handbook Addendum, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2016, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/balloon_flying_hb_addendum.pdf

Scholarship Opportunities–HAWK Puts Out for Our Students

HAWK mentors guide students in locating aviation scholarships. Several HAWK students received scholarships over the past few years enabling them to fly with mentor CFI’s and test with local designated examiners. A few of the scholarship opportunities include:

AOPA Aviation Scholarships (List)

2024 AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program

EAA Flight Training Scholarships (List)

EAA Aviation Scholarship

FAA Aviation Scholarships (List)