Before the flight, your pilot will give you a pre-flight briefing on what to expect. Please pay close attention to the pilot’s instructions. Our pilots are happy to answer questions and explain the principles behind balloon flight to passengers if time permits. The pilot’s most important task is to fly the balloon and ensure your safe enjoyment of the balloon ride.
The attire for ballooning is casual. To maximize your enjoyment, dress appropriately for the weather on your scheduled flight date and remember that the temperature on the ground is very similar to the temperature you will feel in the air. It is recommended that you dress in layers (t-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket) to increase your comfort. For your safety, we require you wear athletic shoes and long pants. We take off and land in open fields and there are not doors on the basket, you will be climbing in and out. Shorts, open toed and high heeled shoes are not allowed. Due to heat generated by the balloon, a hat is preferable for tall passengers.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not always provide safe weather conditions for a hot air balloon flight. Our pilots are trained and qualified to evaluate the weather conditions and decide if it is safe to fly the balloon. If weather conditions should be unfavorable and we are unable to fly on the day of your scheduled ride, we will do our best to advise you the night prior or early morning of your adventure. Please ensure that our office has a contact phone number to reach you. Like the weatherman, our forecast is not always correct and occasionally the pilot will cancel the flight on the launch field. If your ride is canceled due to inclement weather, we will be happy to reschedule your balloon adventure for the next available date. There is never a charge if we cancel the flight due to unsafe weather conditions.
All of our balloon equipment is FAA Certified and meticulously inspected by an approved FAA repair station. Balloons are inspected either annually or every 100 hours whatever comes first. In addition to ongoing balloon maintenance, our balloons are visually inspected by the pilot prior to and after each successful flight as part of our daily flight operation. Each flight is logged in accordance with FAA regulations.
