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FAQs and Preflight
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does it get cold in the balloon? What should I wear?
A: The coldest part of your morning will be on the ground! Come dressed in comfortable layered clothing. Walking shoes and a hat are also recommended and, of course, don’t forget your camera.
Q: Is ballooning safe?
A: Yes, statistically flight is the safest form of transportation and ballooning is statistically the safest form of flight. Adventurist Air Voyages, Inc. has skilled and experienced pilots with impeccable safety records so you are in good hands.
Q: Why do you fly so early in the morning?
A: Balloons fly best in cool, calm, stable air, which in the Lewis-Clark valley is usually just after sunrise or just before sunset. Our meeting times will vary throughout the year to reflect the change in sunrise and sunset times.
Q: How many passengers do you fly in your balloons?
A: Our baskets are certified to carry up to 5 passengers although we rarely fill them to capacity leaving space for added comfort.
Q: What are hot air balloons made of?
A: The envelope is typically constructed with fire-treated nylon or Dacron that meet specific manufacturer requirements, with fire resistant Nomex Skirts closer to the burners. This material is lightweight but very remarkably strong. The baskets are made of rattan wicker, each one individually woven by hand onto a rigid frame and built for fly for several hundred hours in its lifetime.
Q: How high do balloons fly?
A: Most balloonists enjoy low-level flight. The typical balloon flight would be anywhere from tree level to approximately 2,000 ft. The world record for altitude in a hot air balloon is 64,997 feet.
Q: Do passengers ever get airsick?
A: No. Because the balloon moves at the same speed and direction as the wind, passengers experience no sense of motion or turbulence.
Q: How is the balloon maneuvered?
A: The balloon moves with the direction of the wind. However, winds tend to stratify in differing directions and altitudes. A balloonist uses these varying currents to guide the balloon to an appropriate landing site.
Q: How long can it stay up?
A: It depends. A variety of factors must be considered such as outside air temperature, gross weight in the basket and weather determine the duration of the flight. Normally, the balloon carries enough fuel to remain aloft for a 1 hour flight plus a sizeable reserve fuel supply.
Q: What’s the difference between a tethered and un-tethered flights?
A: A tethered flight is a flight secured to the launch site by multiple 8,000lb test double braided nylon cords and generally range from 75ft – 300ft in the air, which allow a larger number of guests to experience a hot air balloon ride whereas an non-tethered flight is free to flow with the wind at much higher altitudes.
These flights are generally available for corporate advertising, private events, photo shoots, and even film-making.