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About Hot-Air Balloons

Did You Know?

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  The first hot-air balloon flew a very long time ago, in France. It had a sheep, a duck and a rooster as passengers! It stayed in the air for about 15 minutes.
• The first hot-air balloon to carry people was made from cloth and paper. It stayed in the air for about 20 minutes.
• A hot-air balloon needs heated air to make it rise up off the ground.
• The air in the first hot-air balloon to carry people was heated by burning straw, chopped wool and dried horse manure underneath it on the ground.
• Gas burners are now used to heat the air inside a hot-air balloon.
• Hot-air balloons are the oldest aircraft to safely carry people.
• Today, people fly in hot-air balloons just for fun!
• Hot-air balloons can now carry as many as 25 people.
• Hot-air balloons do not have an engine, they are pushed along by the wind.
• Hot-air balloons can hold air that weighs about as much as an elephant!