Heating the air inside of the balloon to a temperature warmer than the air outside of the balloon makes the aircraft rise. The air is heated using a propane fueled burner. Most hot air balloons carry about 30 gallons of propane in tanks located in the basket. The balloon descends when the air inside cools.

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!

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.

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.

The best time to fly in New Mexico is when the wind is at its stillest. This usually occurs just after sunrise and around sunset.

Balloon "flying schools" do not really exists in the same sense as flying schools for light aircraft. There are however a few commercial balloon operators who advertise as balloon schools. These are usually located in areas where flying weather is assured for most of the year. We know of one both in Spain and in Italy. The school will hire you a balloon, together with an instructor and retrieve crew and start instructing you in the art of balloon flying.

Yes. Our Pilot, David Crotts, is a FAA licensed LTA Commercial licensed pilot. He is experienced in both hot air ballooning and fixed-winged flying.He is also a member of the Balloon Federation of America and several other ballooning organizations. To become an FAA licensed LTA Commercial licensed pilot the pilot must have at least 35 hours of flight time, of which at least 20 must be in balloons (the remaining 15 hours may be in other aircraft).

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.

Gas balloons are inflated using helium and occasionally hydrogen. The balloon is weighted down with ballast, usually sand. As ballast is dropped from the balloon it rises. The pilot must vent some of the gas inside the envelope in order to descend.

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 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.