Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hot Air Ballooning safe?
Yes ballooning is very safe and we have a 100% safety record. It's much safer than driving on the interstates. Our pilots are commercial rated with instruction privileges by the F.A.A. and the balloons are also certified and regularly inspected in accordance with the F.A.A.
How far in advance do I need to reserve my flight?
It is generally best to have submitted your flight request at least a week before you want to fly (and up to 3 weeks during Spring and Fall). But, if you have the urge to fly at the last minute, give us a call and we may just have an opening. Please remember that with only 2 possible flights a day, a weekend has limited openings and they get booked up much earlier than weekdays. Also, keep in mind that even if you get just the right date reserved, the weather may have different plans. If the special date is part of a surprise, you may want to purchase a gift certificate for them in case the weather doesn't cooperate.
What is the best time of year to fly?
Really anytime of year is good for a hot air balloon flight; it's just that every season has its own appeal.
Spring has bright green foliage everywhere and the flowers are in bloom below.
Summer is fun because everyone seems to be outside and there is more activity around the balloon at launch and landing, but some days it can be too hot.
Fall has such brilliant colors as the leaves change and sometimes there's a nip in the air saying that winter is coming soon.
Winter has crisp and clear skies that make you feel like you can see forever. You can easily see the wildlife through the empty branches.
What type of weather is best for hot air ballooning?
For safety reasons, balloonists in this area generally only fly when the winds are less than 10 mph, the clouds are at least 2000' above the ground, and the temperature is less than 95 degrees. We have found that most people tend to enjoy flying best when the temperature is between 50ºF - 80ºF (not too hot, not too cold). But please rest assured we will never compromise your safety by trying to fly in unsafe conditions.
What if the weather is bad?
Usually we will contact you a day or two before your flight to discuss the details of your flight including the weather. For many flights, we will know the day before if the weather outlook is favorable for a flight. There are however days when we have to cancel at the last moment or even at the launch site. We never want to cancel that late, but your safety is our first priority.
How many people can fit in the basket?
We can generally fly up to 4 adults in the basket. As it warms up towards summer, we can sometimes only carry 2 to 3 adults on a hot afternoon. It is actually based more on weight and temperature than on the number of people.
Do you offer Gift Certificates?
We do not offer the normal type of gift certificates where you pre-pay the flight. However, we do have non-paid gift certificates that you may give as a gift. Once the recipient schedules the flight, we will contact you and you pay at that time. This means that if they never take advantage of your gift, you are not out the money for nothing.
When do you fly?
We fly 7 days a week at sunrise and just before sunset weather permitting. Sunrise and sunset are when the winds tend to be at their most gentle and predictable. Sunrise flights are more peaceful with maybe a hint of fog hovering in the nooks and crannies below you. Sunset flights are more exciting with so much activity on the ground. We will sometimes fly low enough to have a conversation with those less fortunate on the ground. People also tend to hang around at launch and landing to see what it's all about.
Where do you fly?
Our most frequent flight areas include Alpharetta, Duluth, and Snellville (though sometimes other areas as well). And depending on where you live, we can also discuss the possibility of launching from your property?
What time do we meet and when will I be finished?
For sunrise flights, we meet about 30 minutes before sunrise and for sunset flights; we meet about 3 hours before sunset. The entire experience lasts about 4 hours.
How long does the flight last?
The flight itself lasts about an hour give or take depending on wind conditions and other considerations of safety. The overall adventure is about 4 hours.
How far will we fly?
How far we fly depends on the winds. Since we fly with the winds, if the wind is 2 mph, we will fly about 2 miles. If the wind is 7 mph, we will fly closer to 7 miles. You get the picture.
What should I wear?
Dress casually and comfortably for the weather. Remember it is a little cooler after dark and a little warmer while the sun is out. Also, no open toe shoes or high heel shoes allowed. We never know where we might land and we want to protect your feet just as much as the rest of you.
Will it be cold up there?
No, it might even feel just a tad warmer since we are flying with the wind and you won't feel a wind-chill.
I have a slight fear of heights, will I be scared?
We have flown many people who have a fear of heights or were just anxious about flying. In virtually every case, they realize it is not what they were expecting and are ok with it. You are not likely to get vertigo because you rarely feel any wind like on a bridge, you don't see the perspective of things getting smaller like on a roof, and there is no rocking or turbulence like on a plane. Lisa, one of our crew members, is a little afraid of heights. However, when Lisa took her first flight, it was mid-way into the flight before she remembered that she was supposed to be afraid of this. Of course all people are different, but why don't you give it a try and have a new experience.
Can I help set up the balloon?
Yes, you are absolutely encouraged to join in the inflation process as your balloon comes to life. In fact, most people do help as that is one of the wonderful memories.
Can my friends and family come to watch?
Yes, sharing your balloon adventure with friends or family is very popular. They can just tag along with the chase and shoot pictures of you or roll up their sleeves and have fun. They are also invited to join the celebration afterwards.
How do you steer the balloon?
You cannot steer a balloon, which is what lends to the adventure. We just go wherever the wind takes us. Your pilot controls the up and down, but not the left and right. Sometimes the winds are blowing in different directions at varying altitudes. If that happens, your pilot can often climb or descend to the altitude with the most favorable wind direction.
Where do we land?
Wish we had an answer for you on that one, but we don't. And that is really a part of the excitement and adventure of ballooning! Your pilot will choose a launch field where the winds will take the balloon in a good direction for landing spots. We might end up landing in a large field, a cul-de-sac, or even someone's front yard.
What happens after we land?
As we deflate the balloon, you enjoy the excitement of your flight and landing. After packing up the balloon back in the chase vehicle, it is time to head back to the meeting spot.
How do we get back to where we started?
You will come to appreciate our chase crew most once we have landed and you realize you have to get back to car. We are going nowhere until our crew shows up to get us. Balloon chasing is a fun challenge and hopefully the chase will be there shortly after we land (and sometimes even waiting on us before we land). After packing up the balloon, we all drive back to the meeting site together and have the champagne (alcoholic or non) celebration.
And what about the champagne celebration?
A champagne celebration is part of the tradition and history of hot air ballooning that goes back to the first manned balloon flight. We also have a little spread of munchies to enjoy while your pilot tells you about the history of hot air ballooning.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes, definitely! And assuming it is digital, make sure to have enough batteries and plenty of available memory space.
How big are hot air balloons?
Most balloons are from 60,000 cubic feet to 140,000 cubic feet. However, some are small enough to fly from a harness on the back of the pilot and some are capable of flying 16 people or more (you’ll find these in large tourist areas and in Atlanta pilots refer to this as “cattle cars” as that is what they seem compared to our intimate baskets for just 2 to 4 people).
Generally balloons tower from 60 to 90 feet tall. Magic Carpet Ride has two balloons which are just right for the 2 to 4 of you. We have an AX-8 and an AX-8b (a technical term for size) which are 100,000 and 90,000 cubic feet respectively, about 70 feet tall, and 55 feet wide.
What material is the balloon made of?
Most hot air balloons are made from rip-stop nylon which is similar to the material for parachutes. One difference is that our rip-stop nylon as a special coating inside to contain the hot air.
What is the basket made of?
Baskets or gondolas are made from wicker with a weave similar to your household wicker furniture. They are reinforced with metal tubes or aircraft cables and a wood floorboard. The wicker weave is what gives a balloon it's strength and flexibility at landing.
What kind of fuel do you use?
Balloon burners use propane similar to your gas grill out back. The only difference is that we use the liquid part of the fuel rather than the gas.
