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Thursday 28th August 2008

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Interactive Quiz #51:
Up, Up, and Away!

Balloon flying predates powered airplane flying by over two centuries. Some consider it sport flying at its purest. Knowledge of wind and weather, regulations, and proper flying technique are every bit as important for balloon pilots as it is for pilots of other types of aircraft. Brush up your ballooning knowledge by taking Irv Siegel's latest interactive quiz.

by Irv Siegel

NOTE: The information for this quiz comes from the FAA publication, FAA-H-8083-11, Balloon Flying Handbook.

Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "Score my quiz answers" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

1. Typically, for an average balloon, an inflation crew of three is optimum,
a. use only experienced crewmembers.
according to the "Balloon Flying Handbook" you should

b. use anyone with good upper body strength who can understand your
c. consider waiting a few minutes for the wind to die down.
crowded situations, it is important to have a fourth person holding the crown
d. consider canceling the flight.
directions.

line. If inflation requires more crew than usual, due to the windy conditions,
with the pilot at the burners and the other two people at the mouth. In windy or

2. The standard method for inflating a hot-air balloon is to use a
a. 10 to 25
air inflation.

b. 20 to 50
balloon should be filled approximately _____ percent with cold air prior to hot
c. 50 to 75
combination of cold inflation and hot inflation. When this method is used, the
d. 70 to 80

3. Between two hot-air balloons, which one has the right-of-way?
a. The one at the higher altitude
b. The one at the lower altitude
c. The one with the greater groundspeed
d. The one with the lower groundspeed

4. Select the true statement with regard to available balloon landing sites:
a. The number of available balloon landing sites is relatively small, as
b. The number of available balloon landing sites is relatively large, as
c. The number of available balloon landing sites is about the same as for
compared to other types of aircraft.

other types of aircraft.

5. For landing, the pilot and passengers should position themselves
a. in the front of the basket for normal landings and in the rear of the
b. in the rear of the basket for normal landings and in the front of the
basket for high-wind landings.

c. in the middle of the basket for normal landings and in the rear of the
d. in the middle of the basket for normal landings and in the front of the

6. Select the true statement regarding landing in strong winds.
a. Having your ground crew at the landing area to assist with the landing is
b. Using a drop line for someone on the ground to hold onto is desirable.
c. Have your passengers get out of the basket as soon as possible after
d. The crew is of no help in a windy landing.
desirable.

ground contact.

7. What is considered to be the greatest threat to the continued growth of
a. Airspace restrictions in response to the growing threat of terrorism
b. The increasing expense associated with the activity
ballooning?

c. Poor landowner relations
d. The decreasing number of acceptable landing areas

8. What is considered the optimum length of a standard burn?
a. one to three seconds
b. three to five seconds
c. five to seven seconds
d. five to ten seconds

9. During contour flying, if less than a full burn is desired, what technique
a. Allow the balloon to cool, and then use a full burn.
b. Open the blast valve partially instead of completely.
c. Shorten the time that the valve is open.
d. Open the valve a very small amount for a longer-than-normal period of
should the pilot use?

time.

10. What is the best technique to use for achieving sustained level flight?
a. Use a partially open blast valve to apply just enough heat to offset the
as needed for the actual conditions (air temperature, weight, etc.).

b. Carry ballast that can be released to offset the normal cooling of the
balloon.

c. Use a standard burn at a predetermined interval and adjust that interval
normal cooling of the balloon.

Interactive Quiz #51: Up, Up, and Away!

Interactive Quiz #51:
Up, Up, and Away!