So, I decided to get into hobbyist ballooning. Yeah, I know, it sounds kinda out there, but I saw some cool videos online and thought, “Why not?”
Getting Started
First thing I did was a bunch of Googling. I mean, you can’t just go buy a balloon and start flying, right? Turns out, there’s a lot more to it than I thought. I found some forums and websites dedicated to this stuff, and started reading up on the basics.
I discovered there are different types of balloons. Some use hot air, some use helium, and there are even these smaller “solar balloons” that use the sun’s heat. I opted to try making a solar balloon cause it seemed the most simple as a good place to start.
Gathering Supplies
Next up, I needed supplies. Here’s my list:
- Big black trash bags:Because it seemed like the easiest way to get started.
- Tape:Just regular clear packing tape.
- Some string: I got some lightweight nylon string from the hardware store.
- Scissors: For cutting trash bags
Building the Balloon
I started this project with my own DIY solar balloon.
I cut and tape the trash bags together to make the balloon, I followed a basic design I found online. It basically involved making a long tube out of the trash bags, sealing one end, and leaving the other open.
It took longer than I thought, and let me tell you, wrangling those giant plastic bags was a bit of a pain. But, eventually, I had this long, black, plastic tube thing that vaguely resembled a balloon.
The First Test Flight
I waited for a sunny, calm day. I tied the string to the open end of the balloon, and we started holding it out in the sun. It took a while, but slowly, you could feel the air inside start to heat up.
And then, it happened. The balloon started to lift! It wasn’t soaring high or anything, but it was definitely floating. We were all cheering like little kids. It was such a cool feeling to see this thing I made with trash bags actually fly.
But don’t go thinking I’m ready to cross the Atlantic or anything. I’ve still got a lot to learn about weather conditions, safety procedures, and all that jazz. But hey, it’s a start!