Ballooning Safety

Ballooning Safety

How safe is a balloon?

Hot air ballooning is one of the safest forms of flying. Serious accidents are rare.

How high do balloons fly?

We prefer to fly at very low levels as this gives the best flying experience. At lower altitudes you will be able to observe people, animals and the landscape up close. During the flight we may ascend as high as 2000 feet.

What happens if the burner goes out?

If the burner goes out, first burner will be relighted. There is also a redundant burner that we can rely on to fly the balloon. Without a burner the balloon will only descend at about the same rate as a parachute.

What happens if a bird flies into a balloon?

Balloons are so large that most birds avoid them. The envelope fabric is much tougher than it might appear and a bird would likely bounce off if there were a collision! Balloon manufacturers have performed tests, and it is possible to fly a balloon even with a hole.

How long does it take to inflate and deflate the balloon?

A good ground crew can inflate and launch a balloon in fifteen minutes or less. It takes about the same amount of time to deflate and pack up the balloon after the flight.