Before you start:

First you need a calm day. We went early in the morning before the wind came up. You should also have an adult supervising.

Fly your balloon in the winter when the fire risk is low. Also fly your balloon away from buildings, trees, and busy roads. Remember to put your name and phone number on your balloon if you want it back.

The CAA rules say you have to fly your balloon more that 4km away from an airport or aerodrome. The rules about balloons are in Part 101.

The rules also say that your balloon shouldn't go any higher than 400 feet (120 metres).

Mr Martin rang the control tower at Nelson Airport to tell them when and where we were flying our balloon.

Now you are ready:

Soak the three cotton balls in methylated spirits. Be careful not to get methys on any other parts of the balloon.

Have two people hold the balloon. Someone else can light the cotton balls. Be careful that the balloon doesn't catch on fire. If it does catch fire, let it go and put out the fire.

Hold the balloon while it fills up with hot air. It takes less than a minute. Once it gets really light and starts to float let it go and watch it fly.

Our balloon flew for 10 minutes. It went up about 100 metres and landed 900 metres away. (We measured the distance on Google Earth!) It nearly landed in the Maitai River. A lady found it and returned it to us at school.