Which term describes a lighter-than-air aircraft that is not engine driven, and sustains flight through buoyancy or heating?

• A. Balloon
• B. Canard
• C. Brake Horsepower
• D. Approved

Answer: (A)

Lighter-than-air aircraft that stay aloft without propulsion rely on buoyancy or heating to generate lift. This type of aircraft is called a balloon. Gas balloons rise because the gas inside is lighter than the surrounding air, while hot-air balloons use a burner to heat the air inside and make it buoyant. They don’t rely on engines for sustained flight. The other terms don’t describe this class: a canard refers to a wing arrangement on powered aircraft, brake horsepower is engine power, and approved is a certification status.