Every twenty years, to ensure their safety the storage tanks for the propane used for our hot air balloon rides have to be changed. These tanks hold about a ton of propane gas which is in liquid form and is sufficient for about 6 balloon flights in our larger balloons. Propane in the storage tank is pumped into the balloon gas tanks before every flight using an electric pump. Like all pressure vessels both the storage tank and the balloon gas tanks have regular inspection periods. The balloon gas tanks or “flight cylinders” as they are called are inspected every year as part of the hot air balloon’s annual inspection by a Civil Aviation Authorised Inspector. The large storage tanks are inspected also inspected annually and have to be replaced every 20 twenty years. When the storage tank is taken out, the gas that is in it is transferred into the new tanks using a pump so that none is wasted. The removed tank will then be taken away and checked by X ray to make sure it's welds are good and then re-sprayed and put back into service at another location if all is well.
