Videos from Previous Years at Carolina BalloonFest
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Curious about the magic of hot air balloon flights? Read on...
How do I schedule my flight? Please contact a pilot below for flight time availability and payment arrangements throughout our 2012 event weekend.
What times do hot air balloons fly? Hot Air Balloon rides are offered near dawn and dusk when the thermal atmosphere is most calm. Safety is the highest consideration to a pilot's flight decision.
What is the cost for a Hot Air Balloon Flight? $225 each person.
Where will I meet up with the pilot that I have booked a ride with at the 2012 Carolina BalloonFest? The pilot, or a member of his/her crew, will be outside the pilot tent at the time designated to you when you booked your flight - unless otherwise instructed by your individual pilot when booking. The pilot tent is located inside the festival area. Please make a note of the name of the pilot you are flying with to make meeting up at the pilot tent quick and easy.
How many people can ride in a balloon at once? Balloons can carry as few as one person (just the pilot) or as many as 12 passengers. Balloon capacity depends on the size of the envelope and on weather conditions; specifically, the outside air temperature. Typically, the balloons that participate in our festival can hold between 2 and 4 passengers.
How do I get back to the festival? Each balloon has a ground crew that follows the path of the balloon on the ground in the chase vehicle and is in contact with the balloon via radio. The ground crew will meet the balloon at the landing spot and help to pack up the balloon. Once the balloon is all packed up, you will get a ride back to the festival grounds in the chase vehicle.
What should I wear? Often times people think that it will be a lot colder up in the balloon. What they don't realize is that there will be a large burner above their heads that shoots a 8 foot flame up into the balloon to keep it aloft. The burner will help keep you warmer. A good rule of thumb is to wear clothes that you would be comfortable standing outside in. It will pretty much feel the same up in the balloon as on the ground. The best solution would be to dress in layers, so that you may adjust according to your comfort level. Proper footwear is important, particularly when the ground is cold or wet. High heels and open toed shoes are not suitable footwear for ballooning. We recommend tennis shoes or a hiking boots.
How long is a balloon ride? Balloon flights can range anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour depending on wind, weather conditions and direction of flight. However, the whole ballooning experience, generally takes between 2 and 3 hours. This includes the set up, flight, pack up, and return trip to the festival.
How high do hot air balloons fly? Most pilots navigate low-level flights, roughly between the tree tops and 3,000 feet.
Can I bring a photo/video camera? What about a cell phone? Why, of course! We would not want you to miss anything on this trip! We ask that you listen to the pilot’s instructions for stowing your equipment for landing. *Cell phones must be turned off during your flight.
Are there any passenger restrictions? Almost anyone can take a balloon ride. However, there are some restrictions for safety reasons.
Passengers should be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket (about 42 inches high), be able to stand for at least an hour, have no medical issues that may affect your ability to participate in light physical activity, and should not be pregnant. All passengers should be sure to inform their pilot of any and all potential medical or physical problems prior to flight.
There are no weight restrictions per se. However, the pilot has final say over how much weight his/her balloon can safely fly with. Smoking is NOT permitted.
What happens if the flight is cancelled? If the balloon ascension is cancelled due to weather, you may reschedule your ride for another ascension during the festival - if space is available.
Do pilots need a license? Yes. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) issues a pilot certificate after you've passed written, oral, and flight exams for both private flying (alone or with non-paying passengers) and commercial flying (flying for hire).
How do pilots compete? Competition in ballooning means accuracy and not speed. Pilots maneuver toward pre-chosen targets from several miles away and drop bean bags or markers which are scored on distance from the target. Top pilots regularly drop markers within inches of dead center!
Schedule A Ride, Today! - Contact a Pilot to book your flight!
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First Born
Jonathon Carter
FULL
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OMT
Paul Morlock
704-664-5807
balloonhollow@gmail.com
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Eagles Wings
Robert Sarratt
803-230-1178
rsarratt@csc.com
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Flying Rainbow
Buddy Carter
336-312-7842
wcarter1@triad.rr.com
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Gunslinger
Shane Robinson
417-860-0315
flygas2@aol.com
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Spellbound Spirit II
Randy Lee
919-625-5533
pilotrblee@gmail.com
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Mystic Venture
Richard Parr
919-545-0475
rorlparr@embarqmail.com
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Big Oh!
Charles Page
FULL
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Windswept
Mathew Lidinsky
410-627-9273
flights@marylandballoonflights.com
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El Loco
Stuart Enlo
678-523-0616
stuart@balloonatlanta.com
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Yellow Express
Chuck Norton
706-831-9094
norton28@bellsouth.net
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Quarter-Life Crisis
Sally Mazzocchi
908-303-1040
sally.mazzocchi@gmail.com
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That's Amoré
Gilbert Martin
804-339-0555
gilbertmartin@comcast.net
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Oochie 5
Marc Klinger
FULL
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Carolina Blue
Marsha Treacy
FULL
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"B" Happy
Kenny Shumate
321-287-4466
theballoonatic@juno.com
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Great Balls Of Fire
Bill Whidden
407-414-7451
whids@juno.com
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Dream Chaser
Tony Colburn
336-922-7207
colburns4@roadrunner.com
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Carolina Kaleidoscope
Jack Ponticelli
704-437-9673
carolinaballoon@yahoo.com
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Bugly
David Fuller
407-897-5432
balloonrides@bellsouth.net
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Two Sweet
Jeff Sweet
980-722-5723
sweetdreamsballoon@hotmail.com
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Serenity
Richard Hughes
717-574-8980
rehughes@verizon.net
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Freedom Flyer
Marc Fritze
850-386-6425
gskmorton@aol.com
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Hot Air Affair
Ray Smith
704-877-0269
airplay2u@yahoo.com
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Happy Daze
Ian Leonard
910-489-3730
ileonard1@ec.rr.com
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Purple Heart Homes
Racer
Nicholas Donner
(Email only)
nick.balloonpong@gmail.com
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My Cup of Tea
Tom Steinbock
502-836-7317
balloontom@bellsouth.net
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Major Tom
Louise Egerton
828-553-6890
flyhotair@citcom.net
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Rainbow Maze
Charlie Mays
859-803-7067
cmaysii@yahoo.com
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