Hot air balloons are one of the earliest forms of aviation. They were used for surveillance as early as during World War I.
Today, the Royal Australian Air Force has three hot air balloons, based in Canberra. Operated by the Central Flying School, the balloons often travel to regional or remote communities that don't have an airport. These visits allow members of the community to meet Air Force personnel, and learn about the science of hot air balloons.
Because hot air balloons can launch from small open spaces, such as school ovals, they are regularly used to visit schools around Australia for aviation-related education programs.
The balloons are also used for flight training in the Canberra region, and tethered flights at visiting locations.