The part of the balloon that bears the entire load is the

• A. load tapes
• B. envelope
• C. basket
• D. burner

Answer: (A)

Load tapes are the primary load-bearing elements in a hot air balloon. They are strong straps sewn into the envelope that form the network connecting the base of the envelope to the basket. All the weight of the basket, passengers, fuel, and equipment is carried by these tapes, which transfer that load into the envelope so the lift from the heated air can balance it. The envelope itself provides lift by containing hot air, but it doesn’t carry the payload load by itself. The basket is just the platform for the crew and gear, and the burner’s job is to heat air, not carry weight. So the load tapes are the part that bears the entire load.