THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOT AIR BALLOONING:

What are they made of ?
A balloon system consists of three major parts: the envelope (the 'balloon' Part); the basket or gondola; and the burner.

The envelope is made of lightweight ripstop nylon or dacron which is coated with polyurethane to reduce porosity. It contains approximately 1,000 to 1,200 yards of fabric and more than three miles of thread.

The basket, made of wicker or rattan, is both strong and flexible.

The burner is the powerplant of the system. It is fueled by liquid propane carried onboard the balloon and generates up to 20 million BTU's of hot air per hour.

How big are they?
Hot air balloons range in size from small, one person systems to balloons that can carry 20 people. The most common sizes are from 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet and carry 3 to 6 people. When fully inflated they vary from 60 to 90 feet high and 45 to 60 feet in diameter. The average size balloon carries 30 to 40 gallons of fuel and weighs anywhere from 400 to 700 pounds on the ground. In the air, the complete system, including the air inside the envelope, has a mass of 2 to 4 tons.

How do they work?
Hot air rises. If the air inside the envelope is heated by the burner, the balloon will rise. If the air in the envelope is allowed to cool or if the hot air is 'vented' (allowed to escape) from the balloon, the balloon will descend . An altimeter, a rate- of-climb meter, and an envelope temperature gauge are instruments used in the balloon.

How are they steered?
It is not possible to steer a balloon since it goes where the wind goes. However, wind conditions vary at different altitudes and provide the balloonist some limited ability to control the flight path.

How are they inflated?
The basket is laid on its side and attached to the envelope which is then spread out on the ground. A portable (gasoline powered) fan pushes air into the envelope. When the envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited and the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat the balloon will become buoyant. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

How many people does it take to fly one?
It takes only one pilot to fly it, but the pilot needs 3-4 crew people to safely launch a balloon. Duties of the crew include launch preparation, following the balloon in the chase vehicle, obtaining permission from the landowner for landing, and retrieval of the balloon after the flight. Safety is the primary concern of both pilot and crew; followed closely by concern for the rights and protection of property owners on the ground.

How fast? How high?
Many variables in the weather influence a pilot's decision to fly. Most pilots agree that a breeze of 4 to 8 miles per hour is acceptable. Balloons usually stay within 500-1500 feet of the ground, but can go much higher. A few attained altitudes of well over 60,000 feet.

Who can fly a balloon?
Anyone who earns a balloon pilot rating from the FAA can fly a balloon. To get the rating, one has to fly a minimum number of hours with an instructor, make a solo flight, and pass written, oral and flight tests. There are two categories of license, Private and Commercial.

When is the best time to fly?
The best times to fly are early morning (sunrise) and about two hours before sunset. The winds are usually calmest then. Ballooning is a fair weather sport that can be enjoyed year round.

Where do we fly?
We like to fly the Woodbury, Roxbury, Southbury area of Connecticut. This is a very pretty section of New England countryside located on the southern end of the Litchfield Hills and is a very safe area to fly.

Where do they land?
Since a balloon travels with the wind, it is not possible to determine an exact landing site before the flight. A pilot's first concern is safety. A typical landing spot is clear of crops, livestock, small trees, power lines or other obstructions. Whenever possible, permission of the landowner is obtained before landing.

How do you get home again?
After the balloon is launched, the chase crew follows in a chase vehicle. Using maps, two-way radios, and visual contact, they try to be present when the balloon lands. The crew helps the pilot deflate and disassemble the balloon, and the balloon and all the people are driven back to the launch site in the chase vehicle.

How long is the flight?
Our balloon flights are designed to run approzimately one hour in the air, with safety being the final determining factor. You should plan on the entire activity taking about three hours. We like people to come out early and be part of the inflation of the balloon. THis is a very interesting, exciting part that lends itse;f to lots of picture taking and video as it slowly builds the anticipation. Then on the other end of the flight, since we don't know where we are going to land (no steerage), we honor the French tradition started many years ago of sharing a bottle of champagne with the land owner and passengers. In recent years, this tradition has evolved into a picnic or tailgate type of activity with cheese and crackers served on red and white checked table cloth with candles and pewter goblets. So by the time we pack the balloon and get back to the launch site you want to figure on about three hours of time.

Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, and our certificates are unique in that they have no expiration date. You can fly now or ten years form now. We also like to put the persons name on the certificate calligraphy style with gold leaf ink. There is also room for brief comments such has "Happy Birthday", "Happy Valentines", or "Fly High" etc. Purchase a Gift Certificate.

Must you be rich to fly a balloon?
Absolutely not! Balloons are owned and flown by teachers, clerks, secretaries, engineers, farmers, construction workers, police and firemen, just to name a few. If you can afford a nice boat, a new car, or annual vacations, you can own a balloon. Or you may become a crew member for someone else who owns a balloon. Most crew members get to fly.

Is there a corporate side to or a business application for ballooning?
Very much so!  Hundreds of companies world-wide have adopted this "floating billboard" as a major part of their advertising campaigns.  Whether attending one of the many balloon festivals held around the country (27 million visitors estimated in 1996) or store front grand openings, or even company picnics, the hot air balloon is a big draw.  As one corporate balloon pilot said, "I've never seen anyone pull their car over to the side of the road to take a picture of a billboard, but I've had that happen many times while flying  my company balloon."