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N |
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Nautical mile
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1.15 statute (normal) miles/1.85 kilometres.
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Navigation
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Balloonists use a cobination of aeronautical charts which show controlled airspace (airports and flight paths) and military airspace as well.
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Nightglow
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A display of tethered balloons that takes place in the dark, when pilots turnm the burners on, the balloon envelopes glow like huge lanterns..... this although not very good for the life of a balloon can look wonderful, if all the pilots operate their burners and light up the balloons co-ordinated to music.
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Nimbostratus Clouds
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A lower thicker layer of cloud. Often produces long and steady rain at the warm front.
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O |
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Official Observers
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These are specifically trained volunteer balloonists who are responsible for inspecting, verifying and providing evidence for both competition and record attempt flights according to the given rules. Scoring is taken very seriously, with official observers and a panel of judges computing the score and at major events a jury is appointed to consider any protests.
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Oragraphic Clouds
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The name for clouds caused by the air being forced to rise by high ground.
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P |
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Padded Covers
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The Padded covers provide protection to thefuel cylinders for transportation and for when they are being removed from the basket for refuelling.
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Parachute valve
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This is the name for the deflation system that is used in most balloons, which is used for venting hot air as well as final deflation on landing.
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Partitioned Baskets
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A basket with wicker walls to proved compartments inside the basket to separate the passengers from the pilot who also has all the fuel cylinders. Which predominantly is to increase comfort for the passengers.
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Passenger flights
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Paying passengers book a weather dependant, flight with a company that sells balloon flights (see local tourist information for operator details) included in the usually hour long flight, is a champagne celebration at the end of the flight. All passengers are then returned by the crew to the start meeting point. It is advisable to wear: warm clothes, it can be cool first thing in the morning in the field even in summer; flat walking boots/shoes, and to take your camera.
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Pilot declared goal
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A similar task to the judge declared goal, except that the pilot declares his own goal by writing on a slip of paper and handing it in to the officials before take-off.
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Pilots
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This is a term that should hopefully be fairly familiar! To become a balloon pilot requires a minimum of 16 hours flying instruction, a check flight with a CAA appointed examiner, a solo flight and various ground examination papers. These examinations concentrate on the following areas:
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- Human performance and limitations
- Balloon Systems
- Aviation Law
If you pass you will obtain a Private Pilot's licence - Balloons and Airships. Actually you need to add the airships qualification later, but it nevertheless says this on the cover! The minimum age to do this is 17. With self discipline, the constant availability of a balloon, crew and instructor and a little luck with the weather it would be possible to do this in as little as 8 months to a year.
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PPL/Private Pilot's Licence
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The 'driving' test required to operate and fly a hot-air balloon consisting of both practical and theoretical examinations which vary slightly from country to country. This licence is not generally restricted to the local region or country although there are some country specific regulations.
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Preparation
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Before starting to prepare the balloon for flight, the pilot should consider the balloon loading (passengers and fuel), the weather and the flight area to determine suitability for flight.
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Pressure Gradient
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This is the force responsible for starting a parcel of air moving. Air moving from high to low pressure.
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Propane
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Liquid under pressure (a good working average is between 80 psi and 180 psi).
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Q |
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QFE
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Airfield pressure - adjusting an altimeter to this setting would read HEIGHT above the airfield at that pressure setting.
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QNH
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Regional pressure setting corrected at sea level - adjusting an altimeter to this setting should indicate height above sea level. (nb - to find out height above ground level you can use the map and work out a spot height or an global positioning system (a machine that uses satellites to measure position, altitude and speed travelling as well as grid references) and take that away from the height above sea level which is considered to start at zero feet.
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Quick Release Mechanism
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Used to restrain the balloon during inflation and heating for take-off, but should not be used for tethering.
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R |
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Regional BBAC
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These are local committees that provide monthly forums for local balloonists to get together, organise events and balloon meetings for their groups but primarily as a social function.
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Rigging/Basket wires
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The control lines inside the balloon are known as the rigging. The Basket wires are stainless steel wires running down from the burner frame to the basket, around underneath it, then back up to the opposite corners of the burner frame to complete a continuous sling. There are four of these slings and the basket sits inside them. There are also stainless steel wires connecting the envelope to the burner frame.
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S |
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Special shape balloons
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Hot-air balloons manufactured in the shape of products and not the natural round traditional shape.
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Sponsorship
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Balloons can be sponsored as can competitions and record attempts in return for publicity; good examples of this is the Swiss company sponsored Breitling Orbiter 3 - the successful round the world balloon or in Germany the Warsteiner balloons sponsored by a beer company, who now have so many balloons they now have their own balloon meeting where they gather each year.
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Surface Wind
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Measured in knots and degrees in the direction it is coming FROM at about tree top height and this takes into account the friction of the wind over the Earth's surface which will reduce the effect of the coriolis force.
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T |
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Tasks
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Each separate flight during a competition, usually encompassing morning and evening flights, weather permitting.
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Tether Line/Ropes
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Perhaps one of the most important extras to come with a balloon! This is used when anchoring the balloon to the ground (to large vehicles) for balloon displays or nightglows when the balloon is fully hot-inflated but is required to stay on the ground.
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True North
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The actual north according to calculation measured in degrees true.
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V |
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Vapour
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Refers to the fuel drawn from the tank in a gas form for some types of burner valves although this should never be used for the main valves which are designed to use liquid propane.
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Variation
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The difference between true and magnetic North. Remembered by: Variation west, magnetic best; Variation East, magnetic least.
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W |
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Warm front
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Characteristics are 500 to 600 miles between the ground edge and the sloping into the sky edge, high cirrus clouds developing to form nimbostratus clouds and continuous rain.
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Weather
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This single thing that cannot be organised or planned in advance, However, balloonists can receive very up-to-date weather reports and forecasts.
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Wind
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Measured in knots and degrees in the direction it is coming FROM. e.g. 270 degrees is a wind going towards the East...
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