A Balloon is an Aircraft

A hot air balloon is an aircraft governed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots are required to follow the FAA regulations. Balloons are inspected either annually or when it reaches 100 hours flight time, whichever comes first. Yes, a hot air balloon is an 123that consists of a bag or envelope that contains heated air, and a basket or wicker that carries the passengers and pilot. A hot air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft consisting of a bag, called an envelope, which contains heated air. Suspended beneath is a gondola or wicker basket, which carries passengers and a source of heat, in most cases an open flame caused by burning liquid propane. The heated air inside the envelope makes it buoyant, since it has a lower density than the colder air outside the envelope. As with all aircraft, hot air balloons cannot fly beyond the atmosphere. The envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom, since the air inside the envelope is at about the same pressure as the surrounding air. In modern sport balloons the envelope is generally made from nylon fabric, and the inlet of the balloon is made from a fire-resistant material such as Nomex. Modern balloons have been made in many shapes, such as rocket ships and the shapes of various commercial products, though the traditional shape is used for most non-commercial and many commercial applications.