Hot Air Balloon Day

Hot Air Balloon Day is celebrated on June 5th and it is a great chance from going hot air ballooning, going through historical events and of course, and learning some knowledge basically in case you want to be a hot air balloon pilot someday.

Hot air balloons are the oldest form of flight technology used to carry people, after the first manned flight in 1783. The hot air balloon consists of an envelope, used to hold hot air and a gondola, where there are passengers and vehicles of generating hot air that are usually housed.

The hot air inside the envelope has a lower density than the cold air outside, and this causes the balloon to rise. Hot Air Balloon Day is an annual celebration marking the impact of hot air balloons on tourism and recreation.

Although out of reach for many, the most popular means of celebrating Hot Air Balloon Day is by taking a hot air balloon ride. While not ideal for those with a fear of heights, or flying, there are companies and balloon owners that offer special deals for these anniversary flights.

History of Hot Air Balloon Day

To understand the history of hot air balloons, you need to understand the history of hot air balloons. The predecessor of this invention was the sky lantern. These aerial lanterns are part of Chinese history and culture, and were originally invented to signal the military.

Balloon flight occurred on September 19th, 1783. This is when two French brothers, Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier and Joseph-Michel Montgolfier developed a hot air balloon in the Annonay region of France. It was demonstrated to the public, making a 10-minute flight. After flight with animals and unmanned balloons had been tested, the first balloon flight with humans on board occurred a month later, on October 15th, 1783. Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier was the first person using a hot air balloon to fly.

The second rose into the air later that day; Pilate de Rozier. It took only a few weeks for hot air balloon trips to become a possibility for human passengers. Initially, King Louis XVI decreed that convicts would be the original pilots for hot air balloons. However, the Marquis François d'Arlandes and de Rozier succeeded in claiming the honor. In 1794, the first military use of hot air balloons occurred. This was during the Battle of Fleurus, where the first use of hot air balloons was for observation purposes.

Regarding hot air balloons as we know them today, with onboard heat sources, they were developed in the 1950s, with successful flight taking place a decade later, on October 22th, 1960. Paul Edward Yost, an American inventor, is behind this invention. The flight that happened in the 60s happened from Burning in Nebraska. The balloon flew for an hour and 35 minutes without being tied, aided by the heat generated by a propane burner.

Nowadays, hot air balloons mainly serve for recreational purposes. After all, what could be more fun than walking through the sky in a wicker basket, looking out at the world around you? It's pretty magical, isn't it? In 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for the highest flight in a hot air balloon. He reached 21,027 meters! The flight started in Mumbai, India, and then Vijaypay landed south of Panchale. This beat the previous record set in 1988 by Per Lindstrand of Plano, Texas.

However, it was not all disappointment for Per Lindstrand as he still holds the record for the longest flight in a hot air balloon he completed with Richard Branson. Both men flew from Japan to Northern Canada in a hot air balloon, covering a distance of 4,767.10 miles. You may be wondering who Per Lindstrand is and why is he involved in hot air ballooning. Oh, he's a pretty famous Swedish explorer, pilot and aeronautical engineer. He is especially known for his series of balloon flights over the ocean, breaking the record he has made.

Some facts about hot air balloon

• They are ancient

Hot air balloons are considered the oldest form of flying technology by mankind.

• Chinese sky lanterns are inspiration

The idea of hot air balloons originates from the Chinese custom of releasing sky lanterns.

• A form of communication

The military used it as a useful way to transmit signals since ancient times.

• It's not too popular

It gets little attention in comparison with other forms of aviation.

• It is luxury

Traveling in a hot air balloon is an expensive time.

How to celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day

Of course, the most obvious way to celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day is to take a hot air balloon ride! There are many companies around the world that offer this service. If you do a quick search online, you will be able to learn all about the different hot air balloon sites in your area. You may even find that some businesses are offering special deals and discounts to honor the day.

If you can't take a hot air balloon ride, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day. There are several other ways in which you can observe this date. This includes just watching a day with a hot air balloon, such as Five Weeks in a Balloon, which is a Jules Verne-inspired film. We also recommend you check out the Disney and Pixar movie up, if you haven't already.

Although this is not about hot air balloons, the main character in the movie uses balloons to raise his house above the ground and go on an amazing adventure. It's truly a heartwarming movie and many say it's one of the best movies Disney and Pixar have ever made, so get your popcorn ready and enjoy a night in front of the screen. There was even an Up video game released, so you can have fun if you've seen the movie.

If you have kids, you can celebrate hot air balloon day by letting them design their own hot air balloon image, or engage in some hot air balloon-inspired arts and crafts. After all, most of the hot air balloons we see in the sky today are bright and colorful, so this is the perfect opportunity to have fun with paint, sparkles, and the like on one's own! Things can get a little messy, but that's half the fun, right?

Why we love Hot Air Balloon Day

• They are happy

Going in a hot air balloon is a fun recreational ride. They are even better when enjoyed with loved ones.

• Hot air balloons are safe

Balloons are considered as the only form of human flight technology with the fewest casualties.

• We can appreciate more than nature

Although you can enjoy nature from the helicopter, you will get a quieter and clearer view when you are on the hot air balloon. Try it today and see for yourself.