How to Get a Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

There are two ways. One is expensive and fun. The other is difficult and more fun.

Expensive and Fun Way

The first way is to get out the Yellow Pages of your phone book and look up "Balloons," "Manned" or "Hot Air." Phone up the company and make an appointment for a ride in a hot air balloon.

Be sure to ask about and carefully write down (a) the date and time, (b) the exact place (get them to send you a map if they have one) of lift-off, (c) how much it costs (and whether they will accept your check or only cash), (d) what you should wear, (e) what is included for your money, and (f) cancellation notification rules.
If you are paranoid or a lawyer, send a letter to the company confirming everything.

Most flights commence at dawn on week-ends. Some are near dusk, but this is a bit more risky on account of higher winds. The launch sights are remote. Hot air balloons do not launch from your local K-Mart parking lot because there is no safe place to "land." Hot air balloons actually never land, they crash. The crash is usually quite safe. And the crash should occur in a non-populated, remote area where the chase crew can bring in the truck to pick you up. It ought not occur (a) in downtown Manhattan, or (b) 14,000 feet up on Mt. Whitney.

The temperatures at the launch site may vary significantly from the temperatures at the crash site. So layered clothing is a good bet. Dress in layers. Warm as can be for launch. Then allow yourself to strip off to shorts and t-shirt if the temperature at crash site warrants that.

The average $150 per person cost of a one-hour flight normally includes a glass of champagne and snacks when it's finished. It may include a certificate that you have flow and a pin depicting the balloon. The price is not gouging. It includes the cost of propane, chase truck gasoline, insurance, and depreciation on the balloon envelope. Envelope average cost is about $15,000 and it must be replaced after 400 hours flight time.

A hot air balloon pilot awakening at 4 am first phones up the aviation weather service for the launch area. If winds at the launch site are 10 knots or more -- or if they are forecast to be -- your flight is canceled. He should have your phone number at hand and should phone and notify you. You should not have to pay for this sort of cancellation. You should get your money back or an alternate flight.

If winds are less than 10 knots and forecasted for less than 10 knots, the pilot will not phone you but will instead head for the launch site with the balloon and chase crew. You should head there, too.

Upon arrival at the launch site, the winds still govern whether you will fly. Most careful pilots will not launch in winds exceeding 10 knots. This is because winds generally increase. And crashing in winds over 10 knots can be hairy indeed.

Most commercial balloon pilots will not charge you -- or will give you an new launch date -- when launch site winds cancel a flight. But get this clarified in advance. And be prepared for the possibility of a cancellation. In Southern California we have about 100 flyable days per year; in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they have 300 per year.

The Difficult and Fun Way

Become a Hot Air Balloon Crew Member

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