FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The advantage of a hot-air balloon over other aircraft is its ability to fly over the tree tops for a bird’s eye view of a bird’s eye, skim over the hairs of a shaft of wheat (one meter off the ground) or float up to a 1000 ft (the height of the Eiffel Tower) for a clear look around. Most of our flight are between one foot and 1000 feet.

All our balloon flights are between one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes. However, the total excursion time is three and a half hours including : the excitement of the preparation, the amazement of the inflation, the splendor of the flight, the traditional bottle upon landing ( the most important part of the flight), the putting of the balloon back in its sack ( the most difficult task of all) and the return by minibus to the take-off site.

Because the balloon floats along in the air mass that surrounds it there is no wind around the basket or its occupants. For example, if one were to light a candle while flying the flame would remain completely vertical ( one could, theoretically, enjoy a lovely candle lit flight around a great bottle of French wine and cheese - however, we don’t allow candles on board. The cheese and wine is another story ! ) Then there is also the heat coming from the burners... But it is best to take along a light jacket or sweater for after the landing.

Everything ! One of the nicest features of a balloon is it’s open basket. Everyone aboard has an unobstructed view of the villages, chateaux and countryside as they pass beneath their feet. Please keep in mind that the pilot can not steer his balloon but can only change altitude.

A balloon has neither a engine nor a rudder. The pilot can only change his direction by changing his altitude to look for variations in the wind directions. In the northern hemisphere the rule is "high right, low left" in layman’s terms the wind direction turns to the right with altitude. However, an experienced pilot, the proverbial "salty dog" in sailing, what we call an "old burner" can go where he would like by working the balloon between different altitudes or by seeking out the smallest changes in direction at the bottom of a valley, over a small forest or lake, etc.. The ability to do this depends of course on the skill of the pilot.

No, once airborne the basket remains very stable. There is no swaying or movement of the basket whatsoever. Sometimes during the preparation, while the balloon is tied down before take off and there is a bit of wind on the ground, the basket will sway back and forth. As soon as the balloon lifts off this movement stops. Also, as when flying in an airplane, one never feels any sensation of vertigo. This sensation only occurs if there is a physical link to the ground such as when standing on a ladder or looking off a cliff or the Eiffel Tower.

Our baskets are for 4,6,8 or 10 passengers.