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Carolina BalloonFest BALLOON RIDES
Hot Air Balloon Rides
One of the questions we are asked most
frequently is, "Can I take a balloon ride at the festival?"
Some of our pilots and/or balloon companies
are offering balloon flights during Carolina BalloonFest at $200
per person. To reserve your flight, call or e-mail and book directly
through individual balloonists listed below. They will provide you
with the details of their flying services at BalloonFest. All flights
are weather permitting, at the discretion of the Pilot-in-Command.
Soft Landings!
If you've never flown in a hot air balloon
before, we offer these helpful articles for you...
Questions to Ask
When Booking a Balloon Ride - and - Getting
Ready for a Hot Air Balloon Flight
Questions to
Ask When Booking a Balloon Ride
Following are suggested questions to
ask before reserving your flight. As with any other sport, safety
should be considered first.
- How long have you been in business?
- What is the experience level of your pilot(s)?
- Are your balloons and vehicles fully insured?
- How many passengers are in each balloon?
- If you fly more than 6 passengers, are the baskets partitioned?
- What type of safety items do you carry on board? (fire extinguishers,
first aid kits, etc.)
- How old are your balloons?
- What can you tell me about the equipment you use?
- How often and by whom are your balloons inspected?
- How long will we fly?
- What time should I arrive at the balloon?
- What if weather prevents our flight?
- Where will I find your balloon(s) at the Carolina BalloonFest?
Getting
Ready for a Hot Air Balloon Flight
Carolina BalloonFest flights are scheduled
twice a day, weather permitting near sunrise or about two
hours before sunset the best times of day for ballooning
when the winds are usually calm.
You will likely fly several miles, depending
on wind speed and wind direction. Altitude can vary from crop level
and treetop height to several thousand feet. On a clear day you
may see up to fifty miles view the Brushy Mountains, Charlotte,
Hickory, Winston-Salem, Pilot Mountain or even hear a creek
gurgling beneath the branches!
Preparation
Plan to dress comfortably for ground
weather and about three hours of outdoor activity. Dressing in layers
is always a good idea in case the day warms up or the early evening
cools down. Because air temperature cools only about three degrees
per 1,000 feet, extra heavy clothing is usually not necessary.
Please wear tennis/sports shoes or other
sturdy shoes. Long pants are wise since landing sites are sometimes
in a field or tall grass. In the morning, grass is often damp with
dew so shoes might get wet. Dresses, clogs, sandals, open-toed shoes
or high heels are not recommended.
Family and friends are welcome to send
you off. Some may even become part of the balloon crew.
And, be sure to bring your camera!
Balloon flying is the ultimate Kodak moment!
Preflight and Inflation
When you arrive at the launch site, you'll
get a preflight briefing about what to expect and how to help. There
will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures and ask questions.
Before you know it, your pilot will fill the balloon with hot air
and you will be invited to climb into the basket.
Launch
Takeoff and ascent are often so gentle
that you might not even realize the balloon has left the ground.
Flight
The true adventure of balloon flying
is that, even if you have flown before, each and every flight is
unique. Relax, enjoy the breathtaking views, savor the silence and
shoot some spectacular photos!
Landing
You are always an unexpected guest when
you land. Therefore, it is important to respect any landowner's
solitude, privacy and property.
As your flight comes to a close, your
pilot will find a safe place to set down, perhaps in a farmer's
field or even someone's front yard. Once the balloon is packed up,
you'll ride back to the launch site in a chase vehicle and celebrate
with the traditional toast of balloonists
"Soft Landings!"
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