How are balloons inflated?
Balloons are laid out on their side and filled with a large fan until the envelope, the part that holds the hot air, is filled to about 80%-90%. The burner is then ignited and the hot air rises causing the balloon to be in a standing position.
How long is a balloon flight?
A balloon flight usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour depending on weather and available landing areas.
Do you know where you are going to land?
Balloon pilots will determine their exact landing spot during the flight. Pilots ride different layers of wind and have a general area in which they will land, but do not know exactly location. Balloons usually land in large fields, backyards, or anywhere they can fit to land.
Why do flights only take place in the morning or the afternoon?
Balloons need very stable weather to operate. The stable weather mainly occurs right after sunrise and two hours before sunset. During the summer months June-mid september we only fly at sunrise.
How tall are balloons?
Balloons can range from 30-120 feet tall depending on the size. The average height is around 70 feet.
How big are balloons?
Balloons can range anywhere from 20,000-600,000 cubic feet in size. The most common size is around 77,000-90,000 cubic feet. Our balloon is 90,000 cubic feet. This means that 90, 000 basketballs or 22 full size elephants could fit in our balloon.
What kind of fuel is used for balloons?
Hot Air balloons use propane just like a barbecue grill. Balloons use liquid propane from the bottom of the tank while your barbecue grill uses propane vapor from the top of the tank.
How far do balloons fly?
On average a one hour balloon flight will cover 5-7 miles. This depends upon wind speeds at different altitudes.
What is the exact address of the launch field?
We have numerous launch fields in the Statesville area. The pilot will pick a launch field several hours before the flight based on wind direction, wind speed and available landing spots. We launch from several area schools, parking lots, parks, churches and other balloon ports in the area.
Can you steer a balloon?
Balloons ride the wind and are unable to steer. To change directions, balloons operate at different altitudes to ride different wind layers. The pilot controls the altitude and the Good Lord is in charge of the left and rights!
Does it get cold while flying?
At the altitude that we will be flying, the temperature in the air and on the ground will remain the same.
Who follows the balloon?
Each balloon has a chase crew that follows the balloon. Each balloon has a radio to communicate with their chase crew and the chase crew has an app that tracks the balloon.
What are balloons made of?
Balloons are made of ripstop nylon or polyester. This is the same type of fabric that parachutes and tents are made out of. The fabric is woven very tightly which makes it very strong. The balloon basket is made out of wicker that is woven tightly together. Wicker is used because it is strong and flexible. Our balloon envelope was made in Helen, Georgia and our basket was made in Statesville.
What should I bring along for my flight?
The balloon basket is really quite small, It is best to just bring the bare essentials and your camera of course