Hot Air Ballooning
Sport of piloting a hot-air balloon — competitive tasks include target-drop, hare-and-hounds and flight distance.
👥1 per team🌤outdoor
What is Hot Air Ballooning?
Hot air ballooning is the air sport of piloting a wicker basket lifted by heated air trapped in a nylon envelope. Competitive events under the FAI include the biennial World Championships and the annual Gordon Bennett Cup for gas balloons. Common tasks are the target drop ("pickle"), the hare-and-hounds and free distance flights.
Quick facts
Category
Air Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1 per team
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇫🇷 France
Estimated origin
1783, Annonay, France (Montgolfier brothers' first manned flight)
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified