Get Involved in Ballooning
preparing for a balloon rideIf you are one of us who find hot air balloons fascinating, you've probably dreamt of going for a balloon ride, or maybe even becoming invloved as a pilot or crew.
Did you know it's relatively easy to get involved in ballooning? Getting involved can be as simple as following a balloon and meeting it at its landing spot. There are lots of other ways to get involved, a few of which we explain here:
Buy a balloon ride
Buying a balloon ride for yourself is often the most direct way of learning about the sport. Ask if you can help with the inflation and deflation of the balloon - most passengers enjoy helping since it maximizes your experience.
There are lots of companies who offer balloon rides. The flight lasts generally an hour, and you should plan to spend about 3-4 hours for the entire adventure. Flights will take place near dawn and dusk since that's when the wind is the calmest.
You can find a balloon ride company in our Ride Directory or in your local phone book. If there aren't any balloon companies near you, plan to go for a balloon ride during your next vacation!
Call a Local Pilot
If there are any local pilots in your area, give them a call and tell them you are interested in crewing. Most pilots are very happy to accept new crew people and will train you as you go. You'll help with all aspects of the flight, and will ride in the chase vehicle as it follows the balloon during flight.
Don't expect to fly, as this very important job will keep you grounded. Your efforts will be appreciated and you'll learn all about balloon flight quickly. Every balloon needs dependable crew people to inflate the balloon prior to flight, follow it from the ground during the flight, and retrieve the balloon and passengers after the flight.
Some pilots do try to reward their crew with a flight at the end of the flying season or when space in the balloon permits.
Go to a Festival
Balloon Festivals are a popular place to watch balloons fly. There are hundreds of balloon festivals around the world each year, with the majority occurring in the summer or fall. Not only will you get to see balloons up close, but most festivals have other attractions like entertainment and food, making a festival a great family outing. Some festivals allow spectators to walk amongst the balloons, while others may keep spectators away from the pilots and crews. Be prepared to get up early, since some of the flights are likley to take place at dawn.
If you go to a festival, don't be shy -- balloonists are happy to answer your questions, and its possible you'll find a balloonist that lives near you. We are working on the new version of our Festival Directory, and if you'd like to know when it's available, just subscribe to our newsletter (in the box to the left).
Find a Balloon Club
There may be a balloon club near you, which would be a great way to find a balloonist to help. Many pilots welcome new crew members, and volunteering to be a balloon member crew is probably the quickest way to learn about the sport. Ballooning is a very social sport and you'll surely make new friends when you join a balloon club.
Our Balloon Club page is a great place to find out of there is a club near you.
Read about Ballooning
We've got many great articles about ballooning, so feel free to spend some time here exploring our Frequently Asked Questions, Ballooning Basics, and Pilot sections. We also have a great intro to crewing, Unsung Heros. You can learn quite a bit here - but we warn you: this sport is addicting! Once you go ballooning the first time, you're bound to be hooked. Say goodbye to sleeping in on weekends and say hello to a wonderful family activity!
Once you get hooked, you'll want to fly all the time. Like these guys:
from http://www.hotairballooning.com/
Who Doesn't Want A Hot Air Balloon Ride?
It's one in a lifetime. Why not you?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment