How does the pilot steer the balloon?
The only flight control in a hot air balloon is the burner, which gives the pilot the ability to climb or descend. The pilot steers the balloon by knowing the direction and speed of winds both above and beneath the balloon. By climbing of descending into wind currents going different directions, the pilot is able to steer the balloon. Prior to the flight, the pilot will have obtained a detailed weather briefing from the FAA which includes information about surface winds and winds aloft. Also prior to the flight, the pilot will send up a helium balloon and watch where it goes as it rises in order to get information about what the winds are actually doing (which may be different from the forecast). He will also be watching for visual clues about what the wind is actually doing by looking at flags, smoke rising from chimneys, other hot air balloons that may be airborne, and so forth.
