The basket that carries passengers in a hot air balloon is known as a gondola. Wicker and cloth are two materials that can be used to make these. They could also be small enough to transport only a few passengers or large enough to transport several. For special flights, such as races and extended flights, special hot air balloon baskets are also made.
The most common and traditional material used to make hot air balloon baskets is wicker. This basket’s material is both lightweight and long-lasting. When the balloon lands, it will also absorb some of the shock.
Hot air balloon baskets can also be made out of metal and fabric. Typically, a framework made of very light metal is constructed first. The framework is then covered with a long-lasting fabric skin. Traditional wicker baskets are usually heavier than these types of hot air balloon baskets. Some of them are even collapsible, making transporting the balloon and basket much easier.
Hot air balloon baskets can be customized to fit a specific number of passengers. Obviously, small balloon baskets can only carry a few people. The pilot and one to four other passengers would be included.
There are also very large hot air balloon baskets that can be used to transport several people. However, because any additional weight can cause flight issues, very large groups of people do not usually ride in the same basket. In most cases, large balloons with large baskets can only carry about 30 people at a time. The balloon may have difficulty taking off or staying afloat for the duration of the ride if the basket is overfilled.
Partitions are sometimes added to larger baskets. This allows for the separation of larger groups of people. For example, the pilot might take up one small section while the passengers take up another. A small partitioned section in some hot air balloon baskets is used to store extra fuel tanks or other necessary equipment, such as fire extinguishers.
For certain types of hot air balloon flights, specialty hot air balloon baskets may be required. Pilots competing in a hot air balloon race, for example, will typically require a small, lightweight basket. Any additional weight on these types of flights could cause the balloon to slow down or become difficult to maneuver.
Pilots who want to go on longer flights can use special hot air balloon baskets. This can include flights across oceans or even around the world. For example, an enclosed basket can shield the pilot and any passengers from the sun and inclement weather.