2nd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon 2010

Location: Precinct 2, Putrajaya

This is the second year Malaysia hosting this event. We came here early in the morning to catch the morning session of the photo shooting session. Since it is Saturday, we decided to come early to avoid the jam. Soon, we were allowed to enter the compound for the photo shooting.

There is a bag called envelope where the pilot will lay it on the ground. We shouldn't step on the envelope as the pilot is preparing to blow the air into it.

At first, the hot air balloon is partially inflated with cold air from a gas-powered fan, before the propane burner is used for final inflation. I'm so lucky to get a view to catch this photo.

When the envelope starts to grow, there is a co-pilot helping to pull the string, which is tied to the top of the envelope. This need to be done slowly.

From here, one can see the envelope start to ascent and start to form like the shape of the balloon. At this stage, the pilot will start blowing the hot air into the balloon.

There is a burner that attached to the basket at each of the balloon. It will injects a flame into the envelope, heating the air within. The heater is fueled by propane, a liquidfied gas stored in pressure vessel.

This is how the envelope looks alike from the basket whenever the hot air balloon is ready to take off.

We are very fortunate to see all the hot air balloons ready to take off at almost the same time. Since the area is limited due located next to a lake, those balloons will one at a time. It will fly for quite a distance before landing. When landing, there will be vehicle pick up the pilot and the balloon.

For this year Fiesta Balloon, it does comes with new design such as Dark Vader and Levi's Jean.

There are also concurrent activities held at the same time such as para-motors, remote control aircraft flying display etc.

Hopefully this event will keep going on.