How long can you fly?
~ A typical balloon flight lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The total balloon experience lasts 3-4 hours.
Long distance/high altitude flights can last 4-6 hours.
How high do you fly?
~ Balloons generally fly at tree top level to 1000 - 3000 feet.
How cold is it at altitude?
~ Standard lapse rate is 4 degrees cooler for every 1000 feet in
altitude.
How many people can fly?
~ Small balloon baskets can carry one or two passengers, medium
size baskets can carry 3 or 4 passengers and large ride balloon
baskets can carry 12 to 15 passengers.
How big is a balloon and what is it made of?
~ Our gondola is made of rattan wicker and can carry 2-4 people
comfortably. The instruments our basket is equipped with is an
altimeter, variometer and pyrometer.
We fly a Cameron O-84 (84,000 cu. ft) envelope made of silicone
coated rip-stop nylon. The inflated balloon is 80 ft. tall.
We fly with double burners for redundancy. We carry 40 gallons
of LPG on board and use between 12-18 gallons per hour.
What type of license is required to fly a hot air balloon?
~ A pilot certificate with lighter-than-air endorsement is required
to operate a hot air balloon. Pilot certificates can be obtained
after completing flight instruction, passing written and oral tests
and check ride by a certified FAA examiner. Commercial pilots are
required to have additional training including written and oral
tests and check ride. FAA requires every pilot to maintain a flight
log for pilot and aircraft.
How do you know where you will land?
~ Pilot landing sites are chosen 10-15 minutes prior to landing
choosing the best available landing site. Typically schools,
parks, large yards and roads void of power lines make great
landing sites.
Email us with any questions you have - we would love to hear from you.