After the duration of your flight, the pilot (Amy or Steve) will select a suitable landing place and return the balloon gently to earth. Disassembly of the balloon is completed and the group returns to the festival or meeting site.
A Magical Dream Come True
(what you may expect on your ride with us . . . )
Every hot-air balloon flight is different, at the whim of mother nature. As the winds vary, so do our flights. Your flight starts at dawn. All participants meet at the site, get acquainted and learn plans for the day and receive safety instructions. Then we depart for the launch site in the chase vehicle, or in the case of a festival, we just depart....
Once we reach the launch site the basket is placed in proper position, burners connected, tarps are positioned (when needed) on the ground and the balloon envelope is rolled out and fastened to the basket. Powerful fans are started and the envelope is inflated while on the ground. When this is complete, the burners are fired to heat the air in the envelope and cause it to rise to the vertical. The passengers then climb aboard and the flight begins.
Liftoff is very gentle and, in most cases, you are not aware that you have left the ground until you see it receding below. The pilot will climb to various elevations to check the actual winds aloft (also done earlier with small helium balloons) and proceed with the flight. Opportunities for great photos abound, so be sure to bring your camera!
After the duration of your flight, the pilot (Amy or Steve) will select a suitable landing place and return the balloon gently to earth. Disassembly of the balloon is completed and the group returns to the festival or meeting site.
