Most air pumps like balloon air pumps, bicycle air pumps, and mattresses air pumps are allowed in carry-on baggage as long as they follow the airline’s weight and size restrictions for carry-on ...

"It's exactly the same," he said. "We're floating on a cushion of air, basically." Rainbow Ryders' balloons carry 80 gallons of fuel, which Bradley had on board dispersed among multiple tanks.

Hot air balloons are made up of three major components: the burner, the envelope and the basket. Here's how they help the balloons take flight.

McKenzie turns on her propane tanks, ensures her crew is ready, and uses the burner to shoot a 15-foot-long, 5-foot-wide flame into the balloon, heating the air to stabilize it and make the ...