Then it has to be inflated two thirds full of cold air. That's done by using a large fan. One person aims the fan while two or three hold open the throat of the balloon. Next a couple of the team members walk inside the balloon to check the seams for leaks. Once that's been done, they attach the basket.
Some baskets hold one person, others are big enough for the five or six.
Now comes the tricky part. The team makes one final safety check. Fire shoots into the balloon. As the cold air heats up inside the balloon, it fills the nylon bag and the balloon slowly rises. It's no longer just a bag of air.