Balloons are fully registered aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are subject to regular airworthiness checks by authorized personnel. Pilots need to have different levels of experience before they are allowed to progress to be commercial pilots, and this is carefully monitored by the FAA.

The main components of a hot air balloon are the envelope (balloon), fuel system, and gondola (basket). The envelope is constructed of polyester, which is lightweight, yet strong and heat resistant, withstanding temperatures of up to 300 degrees. The envelope is open at the bottom, in order to receive the heating flame; it has a deflation port, a large opening at the top, that allows the hot air to escape during landing.

In order to become a hot air balloon pilot, an CAA or BBAC certified instructor will have to take you through a training course that will lead to a private pilots license usually within sixty to ninety days per ability and flying days available. Pilots that wish to continue their training in order to get their commercial pilots license should set aside an extra 45-90 days on average. If this amount of time seems too long and you are willing to train full time for approximately two weeks.

It’s a great time to be up and the mornings are just spectacular. Besides balloons need cool stable calm winds to operate effectively and the hours following sunrise are the most suitable before the heat of the day. As hot air balloons are the only form of flight which moves with the wind, the weather is most important. The pilot cannot directly steer but chooses heights carefully to utilise wind currents to sail towards the closest, most appropriate landing site.

All our hot air balloon baskets have foot-holes to help you climb in and out, but if you feel you may need a little more assistance, our crew members will happily to help. Our hot air balloon baskets are divided into compartments for your safety, and there will usually be three or four passengers in any one compartment.

The first hot air balloon was designed and launched in 1783 by two French paper makers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier. Observing how pieces of paper went up a chimney when there was a fire in the hearth, they decided to fill a small silk bag with smoke and watched it float to the ceiling. They thought that the smoke rather than the heat caused the lift. They then tested various paper and fabrics and upon the royal command of Louis XVI, the first flight took place in Paris.

The colourful envelope is usually made of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth that parachutes are made of. It is very tightly woven and is coated with a material that makes it very air tight. It is very light (1.3 ounces per square yard) but very strong (25 lbs per square inch). The nylon is only used to keep the hot air in the balloon. The basket load is transferred by steel or Kevlar cables to a series of vertical load tapes which carry the load.

It's easy to join a crew and begin a long and lasting friendship with many people in a very unique sport. Simply walk up to any balloon team you see and ask the pilot if they need any additional help now or i the future. They will keep you on a crew roster and call you whenever flights are planned. Many pilots give their crew balloon rides after they assist with a few flights and help out regularly. For more information check out our Crew Bulletin link.

Various Hot Air Balloon rally's are held around the US and even here in Rochester, MN. The Rochester rally is typically a part of Rochesterfest a citywide celebration held during the last part of June each year. Between 20-30 balloons compete in various events during that weekend. Around the US you can find balloon Nationals held in Michigan and Iowa each year. There is also the large Albuquerque festival each October. You can sometimes see up to 700 balloons at some of these events!

How does a balloon work? Hot air balloons fly because the air inside of the envelope is hotter than the outside air. By using propane-fueled burners, the air is heated, and the balloon ascends. To descend, the air inside the balloon must be cooled by either letting the envelope cool on its own or by opening the vent at the top of the envelope to let some of the hot air out. Throughout a flight, the pilot will use a combination of heating and cooling the balloon to ascend and descend.

The balloon goes where the wind takes it, however, winds at varying altitudes may blow in different directions and at different speeds. The trick is to climb or descend to an altitude where the wind is blowing in the direction you want to go.

Hot air balloon rides are available only in Luxor and will take you in the early morning, over the Valley of the Kings etc. A wonderful experience, but very expensive. Prices fluctuate around $200 US per person. They must be booked as an option, as it will depend on weather conditions as to whether they will be available on any particular day.

Tethered Rides: ($5 per person) â?" On launch field during certain times (to be determined at pilots discretion) â?" A tethered ride allows a passenger to float above the event site about 100 feet while the hot air balloon is tied off to a vehicles below. Arrangements may be on site at launch field during launch window. Hot Air Balloon Rides: ($175 per person) â?" Advanced reservations accepted â?" Call Connie Lambert at 864-221-0552 or www.skyscapesofamerica.

A hot air balloon gets its lift from heating the air with propane fuel. A gas balloon gets its lift from lighter than air gases, usually helium or hydrogen.

The envelope is stretched out and attacked to the basket. A powerful fan is used to inflate the envelope with cold air firstly. When partially inflated, a burner heats the air and the envelope rises above the basket. With further heating, there is sufficient 'lift' for the hot air balloon to fly.

Full launch site directions, including maps, will be sent to you with the confirmation of your booking. You will need to make your own way to the launch site or meeting point.

There are many differing levels of disability so please talk to us to find out. We are not currently able to provide trips for anyone who is confined to a wheelchair, simply because our baskets aren't certified to carry them - but we usually know someone who can!

Most balloons will carry from 2 to 4 passengers, but there are large commercial passenger carrying balloons with the capacity to carry up to 22 passengers.

Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises, and as the air inside the balloon cools, it descends.

On Sunday 5 May 2002, Curtis Rivers leaped from the freezing atmosphere, 15,200ft above Puertollano, Spain, to set a new World Record for the Worlds Highest Bungee Jump. So yes it can be done! However, to make it happen you will need to be able to parachute down afterwards. landing a balloon with a person suspended below is not recommended. You will also need to find an experienced pilot willing to organise the required permissions and insurance.

Yes! A balloon flight is a wonderful way to tell someone they're special, celebrate a birthday or anniversary, and our colorful, customized Gift Certificates are just the right size to fit in a Christmas Stocking.