A few nights ago Wellington was cold and still. Obviously, conditions were perfect for flying balloons!
The key to making a hot air balloon fly is weight reduction. Getting a large, thin plastic bag is the first step. We find that a single ring of wire at the bottom and a single strand across holding a piece of coke can is light enough to fly. Next time we’re going to try making the ring out of drinking straws, and replace the coke-can (which holds meths) with a cotton ball; this will be very light. A dry-cleaning bag is ideal, but as students we don’t exactly do much dry-cleaning.
We helped the balloon fill with hot air over our BBQ. The burning meths in the piece of coke can keeps the air hot, but doesn’t really get the balloon to the bouyant stage.
Safety first! I tied the balloon onto a reel of fishing line. This way it can’t get too far away from us – we don’t want it crashing, Hindenburg-style, further away than our hose will reach. Firebombing the neighbours isn’t the idea!
Phil readies the now-buoyant balloon for release.
A successful launch – the balloon got about 20-30 metres high above our house before we decided to reel it back in.
All photos taken by the lovely Leanne.
Looks like a good time
And cool pics.
Remember brew day on Monday!
Left by Craig D on April 14th, 2007