A hot air balloon gondola is the passenger compartment basket. In addition to passengers and the balloon pilot, it also carries the propane gas cylinders. Relatively unchanged since the 1700s, most hot air balloons use a wicker basket as the gondola. Because wicker is sturdy yet flexible, it helps cushion the landing by flexing and absorbing some of the energy in impact. Usually, the floor is plywood and the edges are bound in leather.
The single-unit propane burner is powered by two fuel tanks. Vaporized propane produces a flame and a vaporizing coil passes the propane to produce needed heat to rise.
Hot Air Balloon Basket and Burner
Did you know?
The gondola cannot be made of metal or other type of rigid material because passengers would experience the brunt impact of landing.
Lift comes from the heated air produced by the burner attached above the basket.
Lift comes from the heated air produced by the burner attached above the basket.
About this basket and burner
The hot air balloon basket and hydrocarbon gas burner on display is a single open basket. The burner is attached directly above the basket. Included in the basket is a built-in dashboard. This allows pilots to easily read pressure and fuel gauges. The basket also includes a place for the necessary propane fuel tanks.
Donated by balloon pilot Bud Hudspeth of Plano, Texas.

Video posted by National Geographic: Colorful Time-Lapse of Hot Air Balloons in New Mexico | Short Film Showcase by Joel Schat
Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies each year in early October for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of its kind in the world. In this time-lapse, filmmaker Joel Schat captures highlights from the nine-day event, from the illuminating glow of the balloons before dawn to festivities after the sun has set. The video was originally published by Roadtrippers, a multimedia platform inspiring adventurers to plan road trips to destinations and events like this one.
Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies each year in early October for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of its kind in the world. In this time-lapse, filmmaker Joel Schat captures highlights from the nine-day event, from the illuminating glow of the balloons before dawn to festivities after the sun has set. The video was originally published by Roadtrippers, a multimedia platform inspiring adventurers to plan road trips to destinations and events like this one.