Frequently Asked Questions
How high will we fly?
We vary the elevation throughout the flight. We generally fly as low as
treetop and as high as 3000
feet above ground, so you can get the very most out of your ballooning
experience.
I
am afraid of heights!
Even if you have a fear of heights, you won't have a fear of ballooning...there
is no sensation of height in
a hot air balloon! When you stand on a tall building and look over the side, you get that fearful feeling
because of perspective. You can see the building all the way to the ground giving yourself something to
judge the height against. When you're flying in an airliner at 35,000 feet and look out the window,
it's just scenery going by... this is the same feeling you will get in a hot air balloon.
Will I get motion sickness?
No, there is nothing that makes the basket sway in flight. It hangs
motionless in the air mass
that surrounds it. There is no "elevator" feeling. It is amazingly smooth and
tranquil.
How fast do balloons fly?
The speed of the balloon is the speed of the wind wafting it along. No flights
will be launched if it
appears that we will exceed 10 mph on landing. 5 mph is an ideal speed.
Is it cold in the basket?
Since cold air sinks to the valley floor, it is not unusual for in-flight
temperatures to be significantly
warmer than on the ground. Since you are moving with the air mass, there is no
wind chill
factor. The sun provides additional warmth, as well as the radiant heat from the
burners above you.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, casual clothing is recommended, since we are enjoying nature in a desert environment.
During the winter months, a jacket and gloves may be necessary. Comfortable tennis shoes or other
closed toe shoes should be worn. A hat and sunglasses are recommended but not required.
Can I take a camera?
Yes, we encourage you to take a still or video camera with you
during the flight. Although
digital pictures will be taken of your flight from the ground, you will have
wonderful photo
opportunities from the basket, as well. We do recommend, however, that you have a suitable soft
case with you in
which to stow the camera during the landing phase of the flight.
Can you steer a balloon?
There is no device with which to steer, but our highly skilled and
professional pilots are remarkably
adept at using wind direction at different altitudes to frequently "rudder" their
aircraft.
What are the inspection standards for balloons?
Balloons, like other aircraft, are inspected by an FAA certified
facility yearly. Our commercial
balloons go through an inspection every 100 hours of operation or yearly,
whichever comes first.
What type of training are balloon pilots required to have?
All of our pilots are required to have a Commercial Pilots License issued by the
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). Due to the sophisticated equipment we fly they are
additionally required to
have experience flying in desert and mountain terrain.