Basket
The basket is suspended below the envelope and carries the passengers, fuel system and burners. Baskets are available is varying sizes according to the lifting capacity of the envelope.

Burner
The burner is positioned above the basket, below the envelope. It is used to heat the air in the envelope and is fueled by propane.

Crew Chief
The Crew Chief assists the pilot with the inflation and deflation of the balloon, and is in charge of other ground crew members. During flight, the chase crew also follows the balloon in the chase vehicle.

Crown
The crown is the top center of the envelope.

Envelope
The fabric part of the balloon which contains the hot air. The basket is suspended below the envelope.

Equator
The equator of the envelope is the center horizontal area at the envelope's widest point.

Fan
An inflator fan is used to fill the envelope with air. Once the envelope is full of unheated air, the pilot fires the burner to heat the air inside the envelope.

License
A pilot's license is required to operate a hot air balloon.

Mouth
The mouth of the envelope is the wide opening at the lowest point. During inflation a fan blows air into the mouth to fill the envelope, and the pilot heats the air in the envelope by firing the burner through the mouth of the envelope.

Parachute
The valve at the top of the envelope is commonly called the 'Parachute Valve'. It is used during flight the release small quantities of hot air, allowing the balloon to descend. The parachute is also used after landing to deflate the envelope.

Pilot
The balloon pilot is in charge of the operation of the balloon. A balloon pilot's license is required to operate a balloon.

Skirt
The skirt of the envelope is attached at the mouth. It hangs below the envelope, just above the burner. It is used to help shield the burner from wind and is a great place for a company name or other advertising message.

Tank
The fuel tanks contain propane, which is used to fuel the burner.