Not a question you hear everyday, but one that is bugging me right now.
Having talked to a few knowledgable people and done a bit of online checking, it seems that hot air balloons are steered by wind. Apparently at differnet heights in the atmosphere the winds blow in different directions.... this seems CRAZY to me!!!
All you got is a big frickin balloon with a dodgy wicker basket hanging off it, a limited gas supply and a few sand bags to try and drop on people. Isn't leaving your steering to mother nature's gustly fancy a bit stupid considering that. How on earth (or air) do you know which wind blows which way at which height?! Talk about chancing it! How on earth do you get anywhere near you landing zone if you're going in random directions all the time?! No wonder these stupid things hit trees and buildings all the time.
Does anyone know how to steer them? Are there any budding balloonist out there who can explain this?! 😕
Originally posted by Daemon SinYou don't, you ride the wind.
Not a question you hear everyday, but one that is bugging me right now.
Having talked to a few knowledgable people and done a bit of online checking, it seems that hot air balloons are steered by wind. Apparently at differnet heights in the atmosphere the winds blow in different directions.... this seems CRAZY to me!!!
All you got is a big frickin b ...[text shortened]... one know how to steer them? Are there any budding balloonist out there who can explain this?! 😕
Originally posted by Daemon SinThey rely on the fact that most of the time there are several
Not a question you hear everyday, but one that is bugging me right now.
Having talked to a few knowledgable people and done a bit of online checking, it seems that hot air balloons are steered by wind. Apparently at differnet heights in the atmosphere the winds blow in different directions.... this seems CRAZY to me!!!
All you got is a big frickin b ...[text shortened]... one know how to steer them? Are there any budding balloonist out there who can explain this?! 😕
air currents at differant altitudes so if they know an easterly is
going on at 2000 feet and a westerly is going on at 5000 feet then
you pick the altitude best for your destination. Either that or have
VERY large oars....
Another one to try out on google I should think... but at a logical guess:
Experienced pilots will use prevailling wind to (almost always) get to their destination. There is no point going against it as they won't win.
As for when they run out of gas... my bet is that they return to the ground. I think my money might be safe on that one.
Originally posted by BowmannThis one has always stumped me actually. How on Earth do yachts sail into the wind? I have been told they sort of zig zag back and forth but it still doesn't make sense to me. If we call the wind 'F' then how can we use 'F' to work against itself. F has no component force in the opposite direction of itself. I am stumped.
Do you think it's equally impossible to sail a yacht...?
Originally posted by Daemon SinIn our country, the US, you have to have a pilot's license to go up in a balloon! Yeah, so they make everybody learn all that stuff and register them. I'm not saying the practice is good or bad, that's just the way it is.
Not a question you hear everyday, but one that is bugging me right now.
Having talked to a few knowledgable people and done a bit of online checking, it seems that hot air balloons are steered by wind. Apparently at differnet heights in the atmosphere the winds blow in different directions.... this seems CRAZY to me!!!
All you got is a big frickin b ...[text shortened]... one know how to steer them? Are there any budding balloonist out there who can explain this?! 😕
Originally posted by Daemon SinYacht's don't have a limited fuel supply...
Yacht's don't have a limited fuel supply, the don't traverse vertically, they have angleable sails to direct them in the general direction they want to go... different kettle of fish entirely.
The wind can drop.
...the don't traverse vertically...
They can sink.
...different kettle of fish entirely.
Only when used by a fisherman employing unorthodox methods.
Originally posted by arrakisYou also need one in this country to pilot hovercraft.
In our country, the US, you have to have a pilot's license to go up in a balloon! Yeah, so they make everybody learn all that stuff and register them. I'm not saying the practice is good or bad, that's just the way it is.
The no go area for sailing, and some boats sail "closer to the wind" than others, is 45° either side of the wind direction (F in your case). You then angle you sail in line with the direction of the wind by letting out the sheet (bit of rope) and the sail works in the same way as an aeroplane wing. Hope that helps in someway.
As for balloons, you don't generally go to somewhere in particular you all take off from the same place and go where the wind takes you. Now chasing ballons that can be fun! You have to know the roads quite well to get to where they land..
