Hot air ballooning is a great sport. Generally, balloonists fly factory built balloons designed for two to four people in the basket. Propane gas is burned to generate the hot air which causes the balloon to rise. The natural cooling of the air in the balloon, together with controllable vents, allow the balloon to climb and descend at will. Balloons can also be steered to some degree. Although balloons are slaves to wind direction, the wind direction changes with altitude, allowing the pilot some control over the approximate direction of flight. Since balloons move with the air, there is no wind wind noticed while airborne. Balloon flight is exciting and peaceful at the same time.

The biggest drawback to balloon flight is the necessity for a ground crew. It takes a few people to help get a balloon inflated and launched, and a chase vehicle on the ground to follow and retrieve the balloon at the end of the flight.

Most balloons (unless they qualify as ultralights) require the pilot to hold a balloon license. No medical exam is required.