(pilot balloon)
1Pilot balloon — Pilot Pi lot, n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet, sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. & G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) + lood lead, akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he who… …
2Pilot balloon — A small, unmanned balloon sent up to indicate the direction of air currents. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …
3pilot balloon — n. a small balloon sent up to determine the direction and velocity of the wind …
4pilot balloon observation — noun A method of winds aloft observation, temperature, and relative humidity of the upper that is, the determination of wind speeds and air and to automatically transmit that directions in the atmosphere above a station. This is done by reading… …
5pilot balloon — A small rubber balloon filled with hydrogen or helium. It ascends at a uniform and known rate (i.e., 500 ft/min). A theodolite tracks the balloon, and the wind velocity is thus determined at various levels …
6pilot balloon — noun meteorological balloon used to observe air currents • Hypernyms: ↑meteorological balloon …
7pilot balloon — a balloon for the visual observation of upper atmosphere wind currents. [1840 50] * * * …
8pilot balloon — noun A small unmanned balloon whose ascent is followed by a theodolite to obtain data for the computation of the speed and direction of winds in the upper air. Syn: pibal …
9pilot balloon — hot air balloon filled with gas and used for observation and information gathering …
10pilot balloon — noun a small meteorological balloon used to track air currents …
