Is it safe?

Yes, very much so. Ballooning is the safest form of air travel. Your pilot will be a fully qualified Commercial Pilot with a wealth of experience. All flights are carried out in accordance with strict guidelines set out and monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority.

When do we fly?

We fly all year round at dawn and a few hours before sunset. We do this to avoid the hot thermic conditions that build up during the day.

Where will we go?

Well that is one of the most enjoyable aspects of ballooning, you just don't really know because we are travelling with the wind. Obviously we have forecasts which will give us a good indication, but we only really find out when we take off. Every flight is different.

How far will we fly?

Again, we are dependent on nature's wind speed and direction. The average is around 10 miles, although it can range from 5 to 25 miles as the crow flies.

How long will we be in the air?

You will be in the air for around an hour.

How involved can we be?

As much as you like. In fact during the balloon's inflation you will be encouraged to get involved. It gives you a better understanding of the whole flight process and is part of the fun. You will also be encouraged to help with the packing away of the balloon. you will be amazed how such a large balloon will pack away into such a small bag.

Is it cold up there?

Not really. Because we travel with the wind, it is often warmer in the air than on the ground. Certainly this can be the case in winter.

How long does it last?

You should allow three to three and a half hours for the whole experience.

What will I be able to see?

As we take off, you will be amazed at the 360^o panormamic view. When we are drifting above the tree tops, you will be able to spot wildlife that sometimes doesn't even realise you are there. As we climb higher you will be able to see the countryside pan out in front of your eyes. If we are lucky and conditions are right, we can be treated to the spectacle of clouds from close distance.

What should I wear?

You should come dressed as you would for walking at the time of year. This means long sleeves and trousers, preferably in natural fibres. Shorts are not recommended, neither are skirts or dresses. Fields can be wet with dew in the morning and in the evening, so good waterproof walking boots are recommended. Flat soles are a must, high heels must not be worn. In the winter we recommend gloves and wear a hat if you are tall or balding, as this will protect you from the radiant heat of the burner.

Where will we land?

When you fly, your pilot will talk to you more about how balloons work. This will help you understand how a landing site is chosen. Normally, a grass field, school playing field, park or golf course will make a good landing spot. We avoid landing near cattle and we do not land in crop.

How do I get back to the launch site?

After we have launched, the retrieve crew set off to follow us. They are in radio contact with us and will find us when we land. After we have packed the balloon away, we will return you to the launch site in the retrieve vehicle.

Should I bring a camera?

You'll be amazed how much film you will get through. Bring your camera, bring your camcorder, but most of all, bring twice as much film as you were going to.

Am I fit to fly?

People should not fly if they are suffering any serious illnesses. If in any doubt, you should contact your GP as we are not qualified to assess your condition.

What about if I am pregnant?

You MUST NOT FLY if you are, or think you may be pregnant. If you already have one of our vouchers and have become pregnant, you should write to us as we may be able to freeze your voucher while you are unable to fly. If in doubt, call the office.

Is there an age limit?

There is no upper age limit. Provided you are in good health and can stand for an hour we can fly you. We cannot fly anyone under the age of seven. Children aged between eight and eleven are flown at the discretion of the pilot. Children aged between twelve and sixteen must fly with an adult. Please contact our office for further information.

What about if I'm scared of heights?

Well your won't be alone. Many people are scared of heights, but ballooning is different. You do not get any sensation of movement or speed; the ground simply seems to fall away. You will quickly lose any fear you had, in fact, most people who were scared initially, want to go straight back up once we have landed.

Can I upgrade my voucher?

Yes. You simply pay an upgrade fee. Call our office for details.

What if the weather is bad - I don't want to fly in the rain.

Neither would we. We don't fly in bad weather and we would not fly in heavy rain. If the weather is bad on the day of your flight and the flight has to be cancelled, you will be asked to reschedule your flight for another time.

Can I change my booking?

Yes, you can. If you have booked a flight and wish to alter the date, you will need to give us seven days notice.

Am I covered by Insurance?

Yes. We carry third party and passenger liability cover.

Is it a Champagne flight?

Absolutely! Celebrating a balloon flight with Champagne is a tradition that started over two hundred years ago. After the flight we relax with a glass either as an extravagant champagne breakfast, or whilst we watch the sun disappear from the evening sky.

Can my friends follow the balloon?

Of course. If you have friends who wish to follow the balloon, please let your pilot know before the flight. This is so the pilot can brief your friends. We ask them to stay behind the retrieve vehicle so that they can find us. Following a balloon is relatively straight forward until it lands. At this point the radio contact is sometimes necessary. On landing, it is very important that your friends understand that they should not enter the landing site until we have permission from the landowner. Obviously our sport depends on the good nature of local landowners and we must remain courteous in order to preserve it.

Can you teach me how to fly a balloon?

Yes. We can take you right through a course of flying lessons and help you gain your private pilot's licence. If you are interested, you should call our office and ask to speak to or email our training pilot.

Can I advertise my company on a balloon? And what about if i want to buy a balloon?

You should visit our marketing specialist who can help you decide if balloon advertising will work for your company.

Your friends are welcome to follow our retrieve
driver. Following the balloon can be fun too...