Page 27 - ParentsWorld June 2020
P. 27
nurturing 21st Century Children
Careers
watCh
New vistas for hot air
BALLOON PILOTS
With the global adventure tourism industry recording double digit growth rates annually,
ballooning has re-emerged as a new and highly rewarding 21st century career
Paromita Sengupta
he hot air balloon has flown a long way since its ‘gondola’ or wicker basket to accommodate passengers,
maiden flight manned by two Frenchmen soared and a source of heat. In most cases, an open flame ignited
T3,000 ft over Paris in the 18th century. Three cen- by burning liquid propane or LPG is used. Unlike hot
turies later it has re-emerged as a popular flying machine air balloons driven by the wind, thermal airships can be
used the world over to provide thrilling adventure and propelled through the air.
entertainment experiences. Latter day ballooning in India is a fair weather winter
Commercial hot air balloons are lighter-than-air aircraft months activity for tourists, advertisers eager to promote
comprising a bag (aka envelope) made of fire-resistant their products and air balloon enthusiasts with a yen to
material that holds heated air. Suspended beneath is a view the world from on high. Licensed balloon pilots
parentsworld • june 2020 28
