Yes, the pilot of a hot air balloon has some control over the direction of the balloon, but it is limited. Hot air balloons are primarily at the mercy of wind currents and do not have engines for propulsion or the ability to control their direction in the same way an airplane does.
While the pilot cannot steer a hot air balloon like you would a car or a boat, he or she can control the altitude to some extent. By adjusting the amount of heat in the envelope (the fabric part of the balloon that holds the hot air), you can ascend or descend to catch different wind currents at varying altitudes.
Pilots often navigate hot air balloons by choosing different altitudes and following different wind patterns to reach a desired destination. Our pilots use their accumulated knowledge of wind patterns, and long experience to make your flight as rewarding as possible, every day.