Frequently Asked Questions and Important Information

Weather

Transfer Program

#1 rule of ballooing: Patience

Due to the nature of ballooning, flights will not always go off as schedule. We ask our customers to be patient with us, while we try to fly you. As mother nature's schedule is not the same as ours, flights can and will be canceled and because of this you might have to schedule several times before you do your flight. As we only have a limited amount of flying days in a given season, it is possible that the day you pick to go might not be flyable, so we also ask for some flexibility in your schedule so we can fly you. We highly, highly recommend morning flights, as they are more likely to go up then evening flights and if possible weekday morning flights.

How Far Ahead Should I Call to Choose a Date?

Call soon! While on isolated occasions there is immediate availability, you should plan to schedule your trip 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Weekend flights fill up first, while the best availability is on weekday mornings.

What is Expected of Me?

Read this information so you are properly prepared and have patience with the weather and scheduling. We promise to do our best to get you up as soon as possible, but we will not do anything to jeopardize your safety. When the weather dictates, choose an alternate date as soon as possible.

What Time Should I be There?

Sunset and sunrise vary from day-to-day throughout the year. Once you have scheduled your flight, a more accurate time can be provided.

How Should I Dress?

Dress casually, but please do not wear shorts or sandals. Appropriate clothing for ballooning is jeans, tennis shoes, and casual shirts. Please bring a baseball cap or other similar headwear if you desire. It will be approximately the same temperature in the balloon as it is on the ground.

How Long Will I be There and What Will be Happening?
Please plan to be with us approximately 3 hours. We will start with a pre-flight briefing during which the pilot will explain everything and answer your questions. We will provide transportation for the passengers to the launch site where you will see the entire inflation process. Your flight time will be approximately one hour (varying with the availability of landing sites and weather conditions). Following landing and pack up, return transportation is provided. A complimentary champagne toast will cap off your flight.

From Where Will My Balloon be Launched?
We have many sites to choose from. The choice will be made based on landing site availability downwind and the view. For your safety, this decision is made by your pilot and is based on the final weather briefing received just prior to your departure for the launch site.

Can I Bring My Camera?
Yes, you may bring a camera or small camcorder aboard, but at your risk. Please use a neck or wrist strap. Bring more film or tape than you could ever imagine using, because most people run out.

How Many People Will be in My Balloon?
The size of the balloon you will be flying in is determined by which balloon is on the flight schedule for your date, the total weight of the passengers, and the outdoor temperature. Groups and couples are kept together in the same balloon. Usually, there are between 8 to 12 people per flight.

How Much Does the Weather Affect My Flight?
100%. For sunrise flights, our staff will evaluate the weather condition and notify you if they feel the forecast is suitable for safe flying. Please note: rescheduling several times due to non-ballooning weather is average. Regretfully, we cannot control the weather, but only the safety margin with which we fly. Please contact our office at your earliest convenience to reschedule a cancelled flight.

How Flyable is It?
A basic knowledge of meteorology and a review of the FAA Flight Services official weather forecast will serve most balloonists. Since our balloonport operations have over a decade of experience, we also use our expertise to select the best local launch sites to take advantage of the wind direction, speed and scenery. Our Chief Pilots may launch helium filled balloons into the air to determine wind velocity and direction relative to height. We like surface winds 5-7 mph or less, depending on their direction. Of course thunderstorms and precipitation may also cause non-flyable weather. Other scientific information we use in our decision process is: visibility, cloud ceiling, dew point, winds at 3000, 6000 and 9000 feet, temperature, radar charts and satellite information.

Why is Wind Speed & Direction so Important?
A balloon is the most flexible aircraft in the world in terms of where it can land. Balloons don't require pavement or a flat surface like an airplane. Unlike airplanes, balloons don't have landing gear and this creates a constraint on landing speed. Since the velocity of the surface winds affect landing speed, it is important to avoid strong wind conditions. Although a trained pilot can perform a safe high-speed landing, we avoid this by canceling flights when surface winds are too fast.

What is Our Procedure to Determine if the Flight is On?
Approximately 3-6 hours prior to departure we are in regular contact with FAA Flight Services for the latest forecast. We examine radar and satellite loops to fine tune our interpretation of the weather forecast plus we test local surface wind conditions. In most cases we make the "go"/"no-go" decision to fly 2-3 hours before departure.

What Are the Basic Weather Rules of Thumb?
We constantly expand our knowledge of what weather patterns generate the best rides. The following information encompasses a small portion of our current thinking: within a high pressure system, flying conditions are generally more favorable than in low pressure areas, because there are fewer clouds, better visibility, calm or light winds, and less turbulence. High cirrus clouds indicate changing weather. Usually this signals an approaching warm front probably 200 miles or 10 hours behind. Cumulo-Nimbus clouds towering into the sky indicate very turbulent conditions and should be avoided. Nimbo Stratus is a heavy cloud moving slowly along. Rain can be safely predicted and it is best to avoid flying in wet and miserable conditions.

Why are Flights Cancelled?
Each day during our flight season we are ready to fly morning and evening. The only reason we cancel a flight is because flight conditions are unsafe or passenger/weight minimums are unmet.

Are There any Special Health or Physical Restrictions?
Please call and discuss your individual situation with a member of our pilot staff. Things of importance to us are pregnancy, recent surgery, and back, leg, and hip problems.

Can Other People Come to Watch?
Your friends and family are welcome to watch you take off on your flight. They must have their own transportation, closely supervise their children, and arrive at the same time as you. Please instruct them to meet us at the same time and location you are given. There will not be anyone there to greet late arrivals and you will not have time to phone.

What if I Need to Change My Reservation?
Changing the day of your flight requires 72 hours notification.

What is Your Refund Policy?
Gift Certificates and flight tickets are not refundable, but are transferable. Please contact our reservation desk for transfer procedures.

What is the Expiration Policy?
All gift certificates and flight tickets expire 18 months from the date of issuance. If weather conditions prohibit flying, you can easily reschedule before your ticket expires.

Customer Service or Reserve by Phone
877 WE DO FLY
(877) 933-6359

A Great American Balloon Company, LLC Owner and Operator of:
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