Hot Air Balloon Day 2021: 10 Fun Facts About The Classic Flight Technology

It's time to celebrate one of the oldest forms of flight technology used for carrying humans, the hot air balloons. June 5 marks Hot Air Balloon Day.

Since the first manned air balloon flight way back in November 1783, hot air balloons have remained popular through the years. Today, they even come in different shapes and designs.

Hot Air Balloon Day pays homage to the flight technology that has stood the test of time. One simple way to celebrate the occasion is to go on a hot air balloon ride. Those who are scared of heights can also celebrate by watching movies that feature hot air balloons or perhaps learn more about them.

On this day, let's look at some fun facts about hot air balloons. (Courtesy, Days of the Year, Balloons Galore, For Teachers for students (FTfs) and Napa Valley Balloons)

1. The first hot air balloon was launched on Sept. 19, 1738, and its passengers were a rooster, a duck and a sheep. The experiment was performed in the French city of Versailles in front of a crowd, which included King Louis XVI. The farm animals flew in the air for 10 minutes and landed unharmed.
2. In Australia, all other aircraft flying above have to give way to hot air balloons.
3. The first pilots who successfully crossed the English Channel on a hot air balloon arrived at their destination in a rather odd way. The pilots realized they were losing height halfway across the channel, so they had to discard everything onboard the balloon, from the anchors to their trousers.
4. Hot air balloons are mostly recreational today, but they served a serious purpose in the past. During the American Civil War, for instance, hot air balloons were used to help spot enemy movements and artillery. In 1794, they were also used in the military during the Battle of Fleurus.
5. The tradition of drinking champagne after a hot air balloon flight comes from the time when the activity was popular with the French upper classes. The farmers didn't like the balloons setting down on their land and scaring livestock, so the pilots started sharing champagne with the onlookers at the landing site as a peace offering.
6. To determine wind direction close to the ground, pilots usually look at the direction that a flag or smoke from a chimney is blowing. Some even drop a small amount of shaving cream to see which direction it goes.
7. In the early 20th century, hot air balloons were considered quite an unusual "health risk." People spent so much time looking up at them when they passed through their areas that doctors sometimes had to prescribe ointments to soothe their necks.
8. An Indian man, Vijaypat Singhania, holds the record for the highest flight in a hot air balloon. In 2005, he reached an altitude of 21,027 meters on his flight from Mumbai to Panchale.
9. The previous record-holder for the highest flight was Per Lindstrand, who set his record in 1988. Lindstrand still holds the record for the longest flight in a hot air balloon when he and Richard Branson flew from Japan to Northern Canada.
10. There are hot air balloons with glass bottoms nowadays, which can add a little more excitement to your ride.