Hopper balloon

Most hopper balloons have envelopes that range in volume from 14,000 to 35,000 cubic feet (400 to 990 m3) and have a maximum flight duration of 1 to 1.5 hours.

[2] Balloon-jumping really meant jumping for many enthusiasts: with insufficient buoyancy to sustain flight, the balloonists actually had to use their muscles to start a balloon-assisted hop.

[3] In the United States helium was hailed as the choice lifting gas due to its fire safety, allowing the balloonists to smoke while airborne;[3] elsewhere, hydrogen was common, but hot air balloons were not.

[4] The first modern hot air balloon was flown by Ed Yost under sponsorship by the U.S. Office of Naval Research on October 22, 1960, in Bruning, Nebraska.

The name cloudhopper is often used to refer to a one-person hot air balloon where the pilot sits in a harness or small seat.