Downloads

Jeremy Hinton's MiniSim for any size hot air balloon:

Jeremy Hinton's MiniSim is a wonderfully simple programme. Don't expect a balloon simulation that takes off and lands against a beautiful background scenery although these are available. This simulation is much more useful. It allow you to get to grips with what is actually happening when you fly a balloon. The simulation displays the average envelope temperature, the forces exerted on the envelope (up and down), the altitude and the rate of ascent/descent. This is all you need though to start to understand how and why a balloon behaves as it does. You will see how easy it is to overburn. Try for example to get in a 500 ft/minute descent (go high first to give yourself plenty of room) now try to stop the descent without going up again and without hitting the ground. Further exercises and some details of the basic assumptions behind Jeremy's simulator are available. Please note that the output from this program should always be checked against the manufacturer's data.

Download LiftCalc(MiniSim) ~ 1 min 30 sec at 56K. Note this file has been checked and cleared by Norton Anti-Virus.

Aerostat Articles

I am in the process of writing a series of articles in Aerostat ( http://www.ballooning.fsnet.co.uk/magazine/magazine.htm ) which cover a number of the issues that are included in the theory class. The first two appeared in the February and April 2004 editions.

February 2004: Back to Basics

This article argues that there is something missing in the training of balloon pilots. Sure there are course to get you through the PPL examinations but that is all they do, they don't give you any understanding of how a balloon flies or offer those useful tips such as the safe descent rate at 500 ft/minute. If you aren't sure why I am offering a theory class, read this article.

Download Adobe Acrobat February 2004 Aerostat Article ~ 30 sec at 56K.

April 2004: Know Your Own Limits

When we are learning to fly a balloon we are trying to build up a store of rules to enable us to cope with the situations we encounter. How does this learning process occur and what are the implications for us as balloon pilots?

Download Adobe Acrobat April 2004 Aerostat Article ~ 30 sec at 56K.

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