Fact 1: Hot air balloons were discovered in France in 1783.
Fact 2: The very first balloon flight soared two men over Paris for 5.5 miles and stayed airborne for 23 minutes.
Fact 3: Balloons have been important in science as they have helped us study the weather and the atmosphere.
Fact 4: Balloon pilots need a commercial pilot's license (fixed-wing). They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school for basic aviation training, pass a written test for hot-air balloons and have a flight check from a Federal Aviation Administration official.
Fact 5: According to the FAA, balloons must meet air-traffic control requirements if they are in a controlled air-space, and pilots must have radio contact with controllers.