Ballooning

Experiences.com: In a few sentences, tell our readers the history and experience of In Flight Balloon Adventures.

When a college friend said that he was taking hot air balloon lessons, I thought he was whacked out. That was in the early 70’s and I already had my single engine airplane rating. I started helping (crewing) and went on to get my balloon rating. Soloing in 74.

I was fortunate enough to fly for Malcomb Forbes (shape balloons in France), Bennihana and others gaining experience. In 1987 I purchased a balloon and started In Flight Balloon Adventures LLC. Today I have 6 experienced pilots that help me provide a personalized flying experience. Our most popular flight is the exclusive 2 person, we also can handle groups.

Experiences.com: Give us a profile or examples of the people or groups who have taken rides in your balloons during the past year.

Most of our clients are celebrating a special occasion and they want their own balloon. Because we have a number of pilots we can usually provide the service on their special day. Proposals are popular, we do about 50/year. We do corporate groups and party tethers. Family?, no problem.

Experiences.com:What are some of the favorite views or vistas from the basket of your balloon flights?

We fly over scenic, rural Hunterdon County New Jersey. Skimming over the tops of trees, cornfields, rivers, observing red tail hawks, white tail deer, wild turkeys, or flying to heights that provide spectacular views that may include the skyline of New York City, Philadelphia and the Delaware Water Gap.

Experiences.com: Describe an amazing or special experience you have shared with your passengers during a flight.

A lot of our launches have multiple balloons. This offers a greater photo opportunity for the client (they exchange e-mail addresses for photo sharing at the Champagne Party). The pilots also enjoy flying with other balloons.

Experiences.com: Do you offer any “special rides” or “featured tours” during ballooning season? What do they feature?

The Overnight Romantic Adventure is very popular. It is three items in any order and we make the arrangements. It is a exclusive 2 passenger flight followed by a Champagne and Hors d’oeuvres Party, dinner for 2 at the restaurant where we meet, and one night in the B&B of your choice. For engagement flights we have a WILL YOU MARRY ME? banner, it works.

Experiences.com:Do you have special activities for your passengers, either before, after, or during flights?

Orientation before, commentary during and a Champagne and Hors d’oeuvres party after.

Experiences.com: Do features or activities of your balloon rides vary by season? How?

The vibrant green colors make the summer popular. Fall is our most popular time with the color changes, and winter provides some interesting snow covered landscapes. The same service is offered year round.

Experiences.com:What percentage of your balloon rides are given as “gifts” and how do gift recipients typically react?

A lot of our flights are a surprise. Most are pleasantly surprised and can’t wait to get in the air. We also sell Gift Certificates and I am not around for the reaction, it must be positive, as most certificates are flown.

Experiences.com: I know, from experience, that wind and weather play a big role in whether balloon rides launch as scheduled and that everything is done to avoid inconvenience. However, if a flight has to be canceled on the day scheduled what earthly activities do you recommend in the general area of your balloon rides?

We meet at a very nice restaurant with a bar that sometimes comes in handy. We try and not bring the client out unless the conditions are favorable for flight but weather is a changing force and we are respectful of nature. Occasionally we direct clients to the near by town of Clinton, NJ. It is a historic quaint village that has great shops with a waterfall by a bridge and a old mill (the most photographed spot in NJ).

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to tell folks about the ballooning experience or In Flight Balloon Adventures?

I believe when people call for a flight, most think that they will be the only passengers on the balloon. That is what we offer. My business has grown mainly from the referrals of delighted customers. I feel comfortable with all the pilots, chosen for their experience and their concern for the passengers wishes.

Special thanks to Thomas Baldwin, owner of In Flight Balloon Adventures, for his informative interview

Experiences.com: In a few sentences, tell our readers the history and experience of Balloon Flying Service of Oregon.

The company was incorporated in 1989 and has been flying daily since May of that year. We do scenic rides over the mid-Willamette Valley covering farm, vineyards, rivers, streams, urban areas and the Capitol Mall. We carry a pilot plus four on a normal flight of an hour to an hour and a half in the air followed with a history of ballooning.

Experiences.com: Give us a profile or examples of the people or groups who have taken rides in your balloons during the past year.

We have done 2 weddings in the air, 5 (private) betrothal flights, dozens of Birthday, Anniversary, Retirement and gift flights for Graduation from both High School and College. We have flown several family groups often covering or 4 generations.

Experiences.com: What are some of the favorite views or vistas from the basket of your balloon flights?

The area and the track of our flight will vary daily and carry us over farm country which will vary from season to season based on what crops are in demand at the local canneries. We also have several wineries on some of our tracks that are outstanding. Some tracks will carry us over the urban area of Salem and Keizer and will give our passengers views of their home neighborhood and often a trip over the State Capitol Mall area. Each track will vary even when we use the same launch site more that once.

Experiences.com: Describe an amazing or special experience you have shared with your passengers during a flight.

Every flight is an “Adventure” sometimes it will be the special occasion of one or more of the passengers, or the launching off the passengers front or back yard. We move to private property when the case meets our safety requirements. We often cross over the Willamette River which winds through the Valley we fly in. When crossing the river we sometimes do a “practice landing” on the water, which creates some excitement and a great photo too. As I stated above we do weddings in the air and betrothal as well. Each of those activities are unique unto themselves.

Experiences.com: Do you offer any “special rides” or “featured tours” during ballooning season? What do they feature?

We do “Private Flights” with only two passengers, sometimes for birthday, anniversary and as stated earlier a betrothal. In the fall we do “tree color change” flights to show off our designation as a “Tree City”. In the spring we have two of the largest Iris growers in the country and do flights over these fields. We also have the largest tulip gardens in the state in our area and do “bloom” flights over these fields.

Experiences.com: Do you have special activities for your passengers, either before, after, or during flights?

We have a traditional post flight celebration which includes a continental breakfast, champagne toast, presentation of a framed certificate. We post a story about each flight on our web site www.balloonflying.com (recent flights) with comments from our passengers and 30 or more linked full color pictures.

Experiences.com: Do features or activities of your balloon rides vary by season? How?

We do fly year around but in the winter months (Nov.-Feb) the weather has more influence as to our scheduling.

Experiences.com: What percentage of your balloon rides are given as “gifts” and how do gift recipients typically react?

About 50% are issued as gift certificates but few are a total surprise as the gifts are given away and the recipient books the flight at there convenience.

Experiences.com: I know, from experience, that wind and weather play a big role in whether balloon rides launch as scheduled and that everything is done to avoid inconvenience. However, if a flight has to be canceled on the day scheduled what earthly activities do you recommend in the general area of your balloon rides?

About 80% of our passengers are from the local area (within 30 mile circle) so they have a back up plan. We do have a information sheet that is updated
a couple of times a week that is carried with us to the launch site.

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to tell folks about the ballooning experience or Balloon Flying Service of Oregon?

We consider our services similar to a limo ride and we treat our passengers like that. We don’t have them “help” with the process of assembly and tear down. Some do like to get involved and those passengers are given the opportunity, but on a limited bases. All that we want them to bring is there curiosity, camera and the desire to share the “Experience of a Lifetime”.

Special thanks to Jim from the Balloon Flying Service of Oregon for this informative interview.

Experiences.com: In a few sentences, tell our readers the history and experience of Ace High Ballooning.

Bob Grimes, owner and founder of Ace High Ballooning became interested in ballooning in 1973 by living next door to the first world hot air balloon champion. After crewing and working to pay for his training he received his private and commercial ratings in 1977

Experiences.com: Give us a profile or examples of the people or groups who have taken rides in your balloons during the past year.

People from all walks of life want to fly in a balloon. For most people it is a once in a lifetime experience. We have been hearing more people say that it is just something on their “bucket list.” Caution: Some people get bit by the ballooning bug and end up purchasing their own balloon.

Experiences.com: What are some of the favorite views or vistas from the basket of your balloon flights?

Here in the middle of Tennessee we have a wide array of views, country music stars home, rolling hills, many types of wildlife, deer, fox, hawks, etc. One of the most beautiful areas in the country for ballooning.

Experiences.com: Describe an amazing or special experience you have shared with your passengers during a flight.

Seems like we are doing more and more proposal flights, they are always special. When the air is really clear we got some amazing views of the Nashville skyline.

Experiences.com: Do you offer any “special rides” or “featured tours” during ballooning season? What do they feature?

We can customize flights for special requests. “Mile High” flights are possible and the pilot is very discreet. One of my personal favorite seasons is winter, much cooler, longer flights are possible due to better fuel consumption. It is not as cold as one might think because we fly with the wind, no wind chill factor. Fall is by far the most popular time to go ballooning with the foliage colors.

Experiences.com: Do you have special activities for your passengers, either before, after, or during flights?

After the flight we give a brief history of the sport, say the balloonist prayer and tell a few lies.

Experiences.com: Do features or activities of your balloon rides vary by season? How?

See above…

Experiences.com: What percentage of your balloon rides are given as “gifts” and how do gift recipients typically react?

Probably 50% are gifts with many of the flights coming as a surprise.

Experiences.com: I know, from experience, that wind and weather play a big role in whether balloon rides launch as scheduled and that everything is done to avoid inconvenience. However, if a flight has to be canceled on the day scheduled what earthly activities do you recommend in the general area of your balloon rides?

This area offers many activities; civil war tours, Arrington vineyards, Music City row, canoeing…

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to tell folks about the ballooning experience or Ace High Ballooning?

We strive to give you a safe and memorable ballooning experience. Happy passengers and soft landings.

Thanks to Bob Grimes, owner of Ace High Ballooning, for this informative interview on Tennessee Hot Air Balloon Rides

Experiences.com: In a few sentences, tell our readers the history and experience of Aer Blarney Balloons.

“We have been in business since 1996 and we take an Uncharted Course Where the Destination is Irrelevant and the Experience is everything!!”

Experiences.com: Give us a profile or examples of the people or groups who have taken rides in your balloons during the past year.

We fly all walks of life from individuals looking to do something special to large groups and corporate outings.  We have many people visiting the US that book a flight with us to enjoy the beauty of New England.

Experiences.com: What are some of the favorite views or vistas from the basket of your balloon flights?

It all depends on the weather, on a clear day we can see the New York City skyline, the beautiful views of the Litchfield Hills including our personal favorite the Berkshires.  The view below our basket in the area we fly over is quintessential New England old villages and farms.

Experiences.com: Describe an amazing or special experience you have shared with your passengers during a flight.

One of my favorites, a couple years after we made a donation for a child battling cancer, we were getting ready to take off from Stowe Vermont, when this woman approaches me and thanks me for the donation that was made previous, we exchanged hugs and I told her it was very unusual that you receive an update after making a donation and that it was greatly appreciated.  My wife to be at the time whispered in my ear can you take her little boy along for the flight.   I said yes and before Karen could ask his mom he was over the side of the basket standing at my side, we had a great flight and had post flight reception with landowner in the fields on their farm.  The boy’s mom followed along in the retrieve vehicle with my wife and had a nice chat the entire way.  At the end of the experience the woman could not thank us enough for taking her son for a flight and that it was often hard to do something special with her children individually and this was an awesome unexpected experience.  At this time we learned that she ran an Irish bakery in Boston and offered to make two traditional Irish Groomsman cakes for our wedding a year later.   Well the year came and went along with the arrival of two beautiful cakes decorated with Celtic designs as a thank you and this story holds a special place in our hearts and ballooning.

Experiences.com: Do you offer any “special rides” or “featured tours” during ballooning season? What do they feature?

We do offer special rides, Mile High Club, private champagne charts and winter wonderland flights.  Flying in the winter is a little cooler but just as spectacular, with the snow and crisp winter mornings.  We only have a few takers per season.

Experiences.com: Do you have special activities for your passengers, either before, after, or during flights?

We offer a champagne reception post flight to carry on the tradition started back in the 1700’s.  We server homemade baked goods, cheese, crackers, and fresh fruits along with a champagne toast or sparkling cider.

Experiences.com: Do features or activities of your balloon rides vary by season? How?

The features change with the seasons and that’s way flying year round has something special in each season, in the spring its awesome to watch mother nature turning things green and leafs beginning to grow and flowers blooming, over the summer we watch the crops grow and change as we move through the summer, than in late fall we patiently watch as the greens change into bright yellows to vibrant reds, the leaves transform, showing their rich and vibrant hues.  The winter is beautiful with snow capped hills, and fields, there is very little ground cover so we often see more wildlife.

Experiences.com: I know, from experience, that wind and weather play a big role in whether balloon rides launch as scheduled and that everything is done to avoid inconvenience. However, if a flight has to be canceled on the day scheduled what earthly activities do you recommend in the general area of your balloon rides?

If you don’t like the weather just wait a minute in New England because it’s sure to change.  In our main flying locations, were are very fortunate to Woodbury Antique trails, several great restaurants and local wineries to name a few choices.   In the Litchfield area we have historic village which is full of shops and restaurants and White Memorial nature preserve and multiple wineries.   Our newest flying area of Canaan CT / Great Barrington Mass, there are plenty of outdoor activities (hiking, biking, and skiing), excellent shopping in the town square, antiques and just exploring the beauty of the Berkshires…  It doesn’t get more relaxing.

Experiences.com: Is there anything else you would like to tell folks about the ballooning experience or your company?

The weather, the weather the weather, ballooning is a fair weather activity and requires the proper conditions.    We do our best to temper our guest’s enthusiasm with practical safety which is our greatest challenge.  We only fly when the weather conditions are within our safety standards.  We do encourage our guests to schedule morning flights because the weather is more predictable but will schedule afternoons for those guests who are not early risers with the understanding that afternoon conditions have a higher rate reschedules.

Special thanks to Mr. Mick Murphy, owner of Aer Blarney Balloons, for his informative interview

P.S. By Jeff L. of Experiences.com: What’s not to like about a hot air balloon company that describes itself (on its homepage) thusly:

Aer Blarney Balloons, LLC features New England’s premier non-direction airline. We take an Uncharted Course Where the Destination is Irrelevant and the Experience is everything!!

Napa Valley Hot Air Balloon Rides boast spectacular vineyard views, a warm California breeze, and a tranquil and educational experience. Take off on a calm early morning breeze and gently glide over the mountains and valleys of the west coast. [Read more…] about Napa Valley Hot Air Balloon Ride