CHARLOTTE COUNTY: Some Southwest Florida high school students got a break from the classroom for a chance to learn about hot air balloons.
A balloon crew traveling the country this spring on behalf of a cheese company stopped at Port Charlotte High School Friday to teach "Hot Air Balloon 101."
Aeronautical students at the high school got a first-hand lesson in the world's oldest flying method.
"We teach them about propane gas, this is gas under pressure," said Karen Candiani, Director of the Charlotte County Aerospace Institute.
"I think they're most impressed with the flames, the sound and scope of the burner. It's a very impressive display," said pilot Rebecca Elkins.
But it's cold air from a fan that really gets the giants ready to fly.
"I thought they stood it up somehow and then put in hot air. I never knew they used regular cold air," said student Don Hoskins.
The students were excited to see the balloon get into the air on Friday. But because of the windy conditions, it couldn't happen.
"You have an aircraft here that does not have steering, does not have brakes and does not have landing gear. So, we're very particular about weather conditions," Elkins said.
The pilots from Beemster Cheese hot air balloon will bring their aviation lessons to just 40 schools around the nation.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment