Unusual special shapes include Uncle Charley's Sausage pink pig, a bear, a computer monitor and a truck. Measurements are made and points are awarded to those balloons whose drop is within 200 feet of the target. The top three pilots are awarded prizes based on their total points. Hot air balloons are usually made of nylon or polyester and are fueled by butane or propane burners. Pilots cannot steer balloons as they drift with the winds, however, experienced pilots can control the direction of flight by either ascending or descending to another altitude.
Vertical control is achieved with the on-board heater.
Most balloon flights last from one to two hours. Propane capacity is a limiting factor and flight distances are generally 5 to 12 miles. A typical flight lasting 1.5 hours consumes 22 gallons of propane. At most times, balloons do not exceed 2,000 feet above ground level, low enough for pilots to talk to spectators on the ground. However, the world record for altitude in a hot air balloon is over 53,000 feet.