 |
Thinking
about taking a flight yourself?
Here are a few tips to
help you have a good experience. |
Depending on your location and the
type of equipment being used, expect to pay anywhere from $125 to
$200 per person
for a flight of
between one and one-and-a-half hours. Some large commercial
operations charge less, particularly if several parties can be
flown in the same balloon. When you call to book a flight, be
sure to ask whether your group will be flying separately, or with
others. Also ask what "extras" are provided -
postflight champagne or other refreshments, souvenirs, etc. This
can vary widely between operators, so if you have several in your
area, be sure to comparison shop.
Don't hesitate to
ask for references, or to inquire about the pilot's
qualifications. If you're paying for the flight (other than in
the case of a "shared expenses" flight with a
balloonist friend), the pilot must have a commercial rating, and
have passed a biennial flight review within the preceding two
years. The operator should also carry liability insurance, and
the aircraft should have undergone an annual inspection within
the last 12 months, and/or a 100-hour inspection if more than 100
hours has been flown since the most recent annual. If the
operator seems annoyed by your questions, keep shopping!
Don't wait til the
last minute to try to schedule a flight. Most operators are
booked well in advance, and must also deal with the vagaries of the
weather... Your wait may be a long one, but it will be well worth
it.
It's generally less
of a wait if you can make yourself available to fly on weekdays,
particularly in the morning. Too many people can "ONLY"
fly weekends. The more flexible you can be, the quicker you'll
get that call saying that it's your day in the sun.
Don't second guess
the pilot's decision if your flight is postponed. Often, a day
that might seem "perfect" to the uninitiated may be
passed over by the pilot due to adverse winds aloft, the
anticipated passing of a frontal system during flight, and the
like. The pilot's first concern is to keep you safe... trust his
or her judgment!
Do be prompt when
meeting at the appointed launch site. The "window" for
launch, flight, landing and packup is relatively short (just a
couple hours, most of the time). You don't want to miss out on
seeing the inflation, and once the balloon IS inflated, as in the
Wizard of Oz, it's time to go!
Do take a camera,
and at least one more roll of film than you think you'll use!
Binoculars are also a good idea. Check with your pilot as to
whether camcorders are permitted if you like, but don't take one
unless you really know how to use it... If you're worrying about
how to operate it, you'll miss out on a lot of the sights while
you fiddle with controls. And if you DO take one, an extra
battery pack is a good idea. Remember though, that balloons are
weight-limited. Please consult with your pilot as to how many
extras you can bring.
Dress as you would
for any outdoor event in your area at the time of year that
you're flying... if it's a chilly day, dress in layers (it will
be warmer in the balloon). Wear sensible shoes (you never know
where you'll be landing - you may need to walk a ways back to
civilization!). Women should avoid dresses or skirts... there's
no graceful way to get into a balloon!
Whether or not to
take a young child along, assuming the pilot permits it,is a
decision only the parents can make. Bear in mind that children
under age six may not have the attention span to enjoy the ride,
or may be frightened by the sound of the burner. And if a child
does become anxious, it may be some time before a suitable
landing spot may be available. If you're considering taking a
little one, you might want to arrange with the pilot to come out
with the child to observe a launch or two before making a final
decision.
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Text and
photographs on these pages copyright © 1997, Cheryl P. Vetter