Our crew training manual is widely used throughout Australia as a reference work for training new crew. First published in 1995 it is currently undergoing a major update. The old version can be downloaded using the link below but make sure that you check back soon to obtain the new version which is expected by […]
How to Calculate Air Density
This article describes the procedure to calculate air density given the temperature, dewpoint and pressure or temperature, pressure and relative humidity. Included on the page are online calculators.
Hot Air Balloon Physics
The physics of hot air balloon flight or how a hot air balloon fly whilst quite simple is often poorly understood. This article includes links to several published articles on hot air balloon physics.
Propane
Commercial Propane is sometimes supplied as a mixture of propane and other Liquifed Petroleum Gases (LPG) such as butane, butylene and propylene. Autogas, in most parts of Australia, is a mixture of LPG gases including propane. LPG mixtures can be used as hot air balloon fuel provided adequate fuel pressure can be obtained.
How to Convert Pressure and Altitude
The lift generated by a balloon varies with air pressure and temperature. This page looks at the relationship between pressure and altitude. Formalas for calculating the pressure at an altitude, and for determining the altitude of a nominated pressure level are provided. Online tools are also available for performing pressure and altitude conversions.
Hot Air Balloon Lift Calculator
The lift generated by a balloon varies with temperature differential, that is the difference in temperature inside the balloon to that of the surrounding air mass and the air pressure. A Balloon Lift Calculator is provided below, along with the following calculation.
