The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Fourth Graders Get Up Close To Hot Air Balloon At HFCS

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On Thursday, June 4, pre-K through 6th grade students at HFCS were treated to the sight of a hot air balloon on school grounds. Mark Donahue and his crew arrived at the school at 8 am with the Happy Camper balloon and began their preparations. Tarps were laid on the ground and the colorful envelope was spread on top. The gondola was laid on its side and attached to the envelope cables. Once that was done a portable fan pushed cold air into the envelope. When the envelope was about half inflated with outside air, a propane burner was ignited until the air inside was heated enough for the balloon to rise. As the 600 plus youngsters watched, the balloon rose to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat, the balloon became buoyant. With many people holding the basket on the ground the youngsters were able to get close enough to see the flames from the burner keep the envelope/balloon upright. Donahue is one of the organizers of the Cambridge Valley Balloon Fest that was held in Cambridge this past weekend. He is also an organizer of the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Glens Falls. The most popular sport balloons are approximately 55 feet wide (diameter) and 70 feet high, which is about the same as a 7-story building. There is 1,075 square yards of nylon fabric in its envelope (or one-fifth of an acre in surface area), more than three miles of thread, and almost one-half mile of nylon webbing (used for reinforcing). Its 77,550 cubic foot air capacity displaces almost three tons of air and can hold 62,279 bushels of apples or 579,340 gallons of water. Sport balloons usually carry three to four people. (Bea Peterson photo)
On Thursday, June 4, pre-K through 6th grade students at HFCS were treated to the sight of a hot air balloon on school grounds. Mark Donahue and his crew arrived at the school at 8 am with the Happy Camper balloon and began their preparations. Tarps were laid on the ground and the colorful envelope was spread on top. The gondola was laid on its side and attached to the envelope cables. Once that was done a portable fan pushed cold air into the envelope. When the envelope was about half inflated with outside air, a propane burner was ignited until the air inside was heated enough for the balloon to rise. As the 600 plus youngsters watched, the balloon rose to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat, the balloon became buoyant. With many people holding the basket on the ground the youngsters were able to get close enough to see the flames from the burner keep the envelope/balloon upright. Donahue is one of the organizers of the Cambridge Valley Balloon Fest that was held in Cambridge this past weekend. He is also an organizer of the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Glens Falls.
The most popular sport balloons are approximately 55 feet wide (diameter) and 70 feet high, which is about the same as a 7-story building. There is 1,075 square yards of nylon fabric in its envelope (or one-fifth of an acre in surface area), more than three miles of thread, and almost one-half mile of nylon webbing (used for reinforcing). Its 77,550 cubic foot air capacity displaces almost three tons of air and can hold 62,279 bushels of apples or 579,340 gallons of water. Sport balloons usually carry three to four people. (Bea Peterson photo)

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