Flying a hot air balloon with the wind has been a dream for many, but this noble, retro-style flying aspiration is not one everyone can realize. Recently, it was reported that a local citizen obtained Yangzhou’s first hot air balloon pilot license and spent nearly 60,000 yuan to purchase the city’s very first hot air balloon.
[Hot Air Ballooning] Fewer than 400 people nationwide hold hot air balloon pilot licenses
According to statistics, there are currently 20,000 hot air balloons worldwide, with competitions taking place almost daily in Europe and America. However, the sport started relatively late in China. Today, hot air ballooning has evolved into a fashionable and healthy outdoor activity, and is recognized by the International Aeronautical Federation as one of the safest aerial sports. In recent years, it has gained popularity among more and more Chinese. It is reported that in 2013, there were only slightly over 400 licensed hot air balloon pilots in China.
It is understood that some cities with favorable geographical conditions in China now have numerous hot air balloon clubs. However, Yangzhou does not yet have any such clubs, and hot air balloons are rarely seen. Due to their high purchase cost, hot air ballooning remains a rare, special, and niche aristocratic sport in the city.
Two in Yangzhou Obtain Hot Air Balloon Pilot Licenses
Xu Linhu, a native of Yangzhou, is an enthusiast of hot air ballooning. In 2012, after spending several thousand yuan and undergoing nearly a month of training at a hot air balloon club in Hunan, Xu and a friend obtained a “Civil Aircraft Pilot License.” Xu Linhu told reporters that piloting a hot air balloon is not as easy as it seems — professional training from authorized institutions is required before obtaining a license. “As far as I know, only my friend and I in all of Yangzhou currently hold such certificates.”
“As long as students don’t have conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, color blindness, or acrophobia, they’re good to go,” Xu explained. Hot air balloons ascend and descend slowly, and their horizontal movement relies entirely on air currents. Winning a competition requires courage and wit, and sometimes, a bit of luck.
[What Does a Hot Air Balloon Look Like?] Composed of an envelope, basket, and burner — stands about 21 meters tall when inflated
In 2013, Xu Linhu spent nearly 60,000 yuan to purchase a standard-sized hot air balloon from Hunan.
Yesterday morning, reporters saw Xu’s hot air balloon at a site in Wantou. The interior basket was not very spacious, only able to accommodate four people standing.
Xu Linhu explained that a standard hot air balloon stands about 21 meters tall when inflated, and the basket can carry a load of 400 kilograms. The balloon consists of an envelope, basket, and burner: the envelope is made of polyester or nylon — lightweight yet sturdy; the basket is woven from rattan, which helps cushion landings; four gas cylinders filled with liquefied propane are placed at the basket’s corners; and the basket also contains flight instruments such as a thermometer, altimeter, and variometer.
What’s the difference between the gas cylinders used in hot air balloons and regular household gas tanks? Xu explained that while the gas cylinders look similar to home-use propane tanks, their casings are thicker and contain special internal components. Additionally, these cylinders are covered with a protective cloth when placed inside the basket.
[Hot Air Balloon Flight] Preparation: Pre-flight airworthiness inspections are conducted
“Although the envelope is sewn from high-strength nylon or polyester fabric, prolonged exposure to high heat typically limits its lifespan to around 400 flight hours,” Xu said. Though the burner itself is not easily damaged, the gas delivery pipes are among the more vulnerable parts — with steel wires inside, they usually need replacing after a few years.
“The quality of hot air balloon components is directly related to passengers’ safety,” Xu noted. He conducts regular inspections and performs detailed pre-flight airworthiness checks, including examining rope wear and gas pipe integrity.
Flight: Takeoff takes 30–40 minutes
“Generally, the fuel from four gas cylinders allows for just over an hour of flight,” Xu stated. Piloting a hot air balloon mainly involves three steps: takeoff, flight, and landing. “Takeoff is the most complex of the three — it requires at least one pilot and several ground crew members, and takes about 30–40 minutes, involving inflation and hovering to achieve liftoff,” Xu explained.
To prepare for takeoff, the envelope is spread out on the ground, connected to the basket, then inflated using a fan. The burner is then ignited to heat the air inside the envelope. Once the balloon rises to a position perpendicular to the basket, it’s ready to take off.
After a successful launch, flames three to four meters high will shoot from the burner, and the balloon will quickly ascend. “The principle of hot air ballooning is that hot air is lighter than cold air, creating lift. But when the heat diminishes, the balloon descends,” Xu said. While airborne, the balloon isn’t so much ‘steered’ as it is carried by the wind. By choosing different altitudes with varying wind directions and speeds, pilots can navigate toward their desired destination.
Spring and autumn are ideal seasons for hot air ballooning in Yangzhou
In Xu’s opinion, the best seasons for flying in Yangzhou are spring and autumn. “Flight primarily relies on the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the balloon to generate lift. When it’s hot, even with a lot of flame below, the temperature difference isn’t significant,” Xu explained. In winter, even a small amount of heating creates a larger differential, making winter flights more energy-efficient than summer ones.
“But when it’s too cold, the descent is faster, and the balloon is harder to control,” Xu added. Currently, the most suitable areas near Yangzhou for hot air ballooning are suburban spots like Yizheng, Jiangdu, and Wantou.
[Development Prospects] Hot air ballooning may become a future tourism attraction in Yangzhou
Due to the complex approval procedures involved in flying hot air balloons, Xu said he and his friends have only attempted takeoffs three times since purchasing the balloon. “Flying a hot air balloon isn’t as simple as choosing any location — approval from the meteorological bureau or aviation authorities is required,” Xu explained.
Xu noted that although few people in Yangzhou engage in hot air ballooning, the sport has a sizable following across China. “Places like Qingdao and Hunan have large hot air balloon clubs, where many enthusiasts regularly rent balloons from clubs to participate in training and competitions,” Xu said, adding that he hopes to take part in domestic events in the future.
Xu believes hot air ballooning has great potential for development in Yangzhou. “The outskirts of Yangzhou have vast farmland and open spaces, perfect for balloon flights,” Xu said. Viewing the city from a balloon offers a unique perspective, and combining it with tourism for commercial purposes could be a promising avenue.
Additionally, hot air balloons can be used for commercial performances. Recently, a Yangzhou business rented Xu’s balloon for an event, with daily rental rates proving quite lucrative.
[Glossary] Hot air balloon
A hot air balloon is an aerostat that uses heated air as its lifting gas. Nowadays, hot air ballooning has become a popular aerial sport enjoyed by many, and is commonly used for aerial photography and air tourism.
In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers of France created the first hot air balloon, which flew for 25 minutes over Paris, turning humanity’s dream of flying into the sky into reality for the first time.
On March 20, 1999 (Greenwich Mean Time), Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard (41 years old) and British pilot Brian Jones (51 years old) completed the historic first-ever around-the-world hot air balloon flight after nearly 20 days of travel, covering a total distance of 42,810 kilometers.