What to Expect on a Balloon Ride
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Balloon flights are spectacular and extremely smooth! The sensation of lift off has been likened to the ground dropping away at your feet. The flight itself will last approximately 1 hour but please allow 3-4 hours to complete the experience which will include set up, inflation, flight time, pack up and a post flight celebration.
Before leaving the ground, the pilot will give you a briefing. It is important that you listen carefully and follow your pilot's instructions. Prior to landing it is particularly important that you are prepared and that you know what to expect. Be advised that when a balloon lands it is normal to experience a bump or series of bumps when the basket touches the ground. It is also possible to experience some dragging of the basket while tipped on its side should the winds pick up. If you have a physical or psychological condition that would interfere with the safety of your ride or that of the others in the aircraft, you are advised not to take a balloon ride. If you have questions regarding a medical concern, please let us know.
Passenger Safety Guidelines
While the sport of hot air ballooning has been shown to be one of the safest forms of transportation, passengers are exposed to above average risk of injury particularly during the landing. Due to the above normal risk of injury associated with the sport of hot air ballooning, all passengers are required to meet certain guidelines in order to ensure a safe flight for everyone involved. Passengers must meet the following important safety guidelines:
- Be able to get in and out of the balloon basket under his or her own power and be able to stand throughout the duration of the flight (approximately 1 hour).
- Be able to communicate with and receive instructions from the pilot.
- Be able to hold onto the basket tightly and bend their knees to absorb any impact on landing.
- Be able to withstand the possibility of the basket tipping over, dragging along the ground and the likelihood of other passengers bumping into or landing on top of them during the landing sequence.
- Be in good physical condition and general deportment i.e., no recent surgeries, not pregnant, no known communicable diseases, no skeletal injuries or fractures, no back problems, knee or hip replacements and no physical impairments of any kind which would place him/herself or the other occupants of the balloon in danger of injury.
- Be a minimum of 10 years of age.
- Because a hot air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft, it is limited to the total number of pounds it can lift. The weight limitations we are faced with will vary according to the outside temperature, humidity, and the number and total weight of the passengers and pilot on board. For this reason we try to limit maximum passenger weights to approximately 200 pounds each. There will be some exceptions to this so please ask if you have any questions.
Fantasy Flights and its pilots reserve the right, as provided by Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, to decline any passenger should that person's health, age, physical condition or general deportment impede the operation and safety of those participating in a flight.
Although every precaution is taken to provide for a safe and enjoyable ride, balloon flights, by their very nature, involve a certain amount of risk. All guests must sign a liability and assumption of risk waiver form as a condition of the flight. A parent or guardian is required to sign this acknowledgment in the event that a minor will be flying with them.
What to Wear
- Dress in comfortable, casual clothing in accordance with the temperature of the day. It is generally the same temperature at altitude as it is on the ground. Keep in mind that you will be outside for several hours. You can always take layers off but you cannot go back and get them once we have left the ground!
- Shorts, skirts and dresses are not appropriate. Long pants are required. Jeans are recommended.
- Cotton fabrics are preferable to synthetics.
- Balloons will generally land in open fields so closed-toe, flat shoes such as tennis shoes should be worn. Keep in mind that there is also a possibility that they may get a little damp from morning dew. Do not wear open shoes or sandals of any kind.