False lift.  See Uncontrolled Lift. 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The federal agency responsible to promote aviation safety through regulation and education. 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The federal agency which regulates radio communication and communication equipment in the United States. 

Flameout. The inadvertent extinguishing of a burner flame. 

Flare.  The last flight maneuver by an aircraft in a successful landing, wherein the balloon’s descent is reduced to a path nearly parallel to the landing surface. 

Flight review.  Required for all certificated pilots every 24 months in order to retain pilot in command privileges. A flight review consists of at least 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training. 

Flight time.  According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the time from the moment the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of flight until the moment it comes to rest at the next point of landing. 

Flight visibility.  According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the average forward horizontal distance, of an aircraft in flight, at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects may be seen and identified by night. 

fpm.  Feet per minute. 

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Field offices of the FAA, which deal with certification and operation of aircraft. 

Gauge.  A device for measuring. Required gauges on a hot air balloon are the envelope temperature gauge (pyrometer) and the fuel quantity gauge for each fuel tank. Most balloons also have fuel pressure gauges. 

Gondola. Portion of a gas balloon that carries the pilot, passengers, cargo, ballast, and instruments. 

Gore.  A vertical section of fabric, often made of two vertical, or numerous horizontal panels, sewn together to make a balloon envelope. 

Global Positioning System (GPS). The Global Positioning System is a series (or “constellation”) of satellites circling the Earth, each broadcasting a unique signal. These signals, usually three or more, are detected by electronic units, and, thru triangulation and time delay sensings, provide an extremely accurate location readout of the GPS receiver. Many balloon pilots carry a small GPS unit on board the balloon to determine location, ground track and ground speed. 

Ground crew.  Persons who assist in the assembly, inflation, chase, and recovery of a balloon. 

Ground visibility. According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, prevailing horizontal visibility near the earth’s surface as reported by the United States National Weather Service or an accredited observer. 

Handling line.  A line, usually ¼-to ½-inch diameter rope, attached to a balloon envelope or basket, used by the pilot or ground crew to assist in the ground handling, inflation, landing, and deflation of a balloon. 

Heater.  Propane-fueled device to heat air inside the envelope of a balloon, often referred to as a burner. 

Helium. A light, inert gaseous chemical element mainly found as a natural gas in the southwestern United States. Used to inflate gas balloons and pilot balloons. 

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Weather Display.  A product of the Aviation Digital Data Service, this computer program give weather information, both real-time and forecast, for a 5 kilometer square area nationwide. It can be viewed and downloaded at www.weather.aero/HEMS 

Hydrogen.  The lightest of all gaseous elements. Commonly used in Europe for inflating gas balloons. Flammable by itself and explosive when mixed with oxygen. As opposed to helium, hydrogen is easily manufactured. 

Hypoxia.  An aeromedical term; means “reduced oxygen” or “not enough oxygen.” 

