FAQ

We meet at the Balloon Port at daybreak. The exact launch site will vary depending on the wind direction and the time of sunrise. The pilot will select the departure site considering the wind direction and availability of good landing sites in the flight path.

Typically a flight last 45 minutes to an hour depending on wind speed on the morning of your flight. Please plan on being our guest for three hours to complete the ballooning process. First inflation, then flight, and finally packing up the balloon and toast to a fantastic ride.

We will land downwind of where we took off from. The pilot will select a suitable landing spot and the chase crew will advise the pilot if landing spots provide easy access for the chase crew. Balloons have landed in many locations such as parking lots, golf courses, fields, ballparks, back yards, front yards, driveways, streets, roads, airports, schools, and even boat docks. The adventure of ballooning is the mystery of our destination.

We recommend passengers wear comfortable hiking boots and layered clothing to accommodate all circumstances. It’s best to wear trousers/pants instead of shorts because landing in a field of briars could scratch bare legs.

Each of our flights includes the pilot and a minimum of two passengers. Our largest balloon is rated to hold 6 passengers. Private flights are available.

We do not restrict weights per passenger, but there is a max weight restriction per balloon.

Yes; hot air balloons are like airplanes and are governed by the FAA. Getting and maintaining a license is much like getting a fixed wing pilots license. Asheville Hot Air Balloons pilots hold commercial status.

We recommend guest be over the age of eight and be physically able to climb into the basket. After that you need to hold securely to the top of the basket and brace your body for the impact of landing. You may need to walk from the landing and absorb normal risks (which may include but are not limited to) injury or fatality from flight, ground, landing operations, injury in a remote place without medical facilities, or damage to personal property or equipment). Individuals that are pregnant, have artificial limbs, or are under treatment for any infirmity (such as, but not limited to, osteoporosis, back problems, chronic ailments, or any other injury of any type that could be affected by hot air ballooning) should not fly.

Balloons are equipped with an altimeter to indicate altitude and a variometer which shows rate of climb or descent. A temperature gauge shows how hot the fabric is on the balloon top. Each propane tank has a fuel gauge. Some systems have a pressure gauge also. We fly with GPS uplink/downlink so the chase crew can precisely pinpoint the location of the airborne craft.

What most people call the “balloon” is actually known as “the envelope”. Balloon envelopes are made of rip-stock nylon or polyester fabric. The fabric of the envelope is sewn to or around a tape or rope that will bear the load placed on the envelope by the basket and its contents.

The walls of the basket are usually woven from rattan wicker. Most baskets also contain a support framework made of wood, aluminum, steel, cable, rope or a combination of these materials. Baskets are designed so that the weight inside the basket is transferred to the load on the tapes or ropes in the envelope. Rattan wicker is used most often for the basket walls because it is light in weight while at the same time being strong and flexible.

Propane; propane burns at 12-15 gallons per hour. Our smallest balloon carries 40 gallons; our largest balloon carries 70 gallons.

It takes three or four people to inflate and launch a balloon, because the balloon is cumbersome on the ground. First the envelope is stretched out and attached to the basket. A gasoline powered fan is used to blow up the envelope quickly. Finally, burst of hot air from the burner completes the process. As the heated air in the envelope rises to the top the balloon becomes upright. The pilot continues to add burst of hot air until he/she determines the balloon is ready to take off.

Oxygen is only required by the FAA if you fly above 12,500 for 30 minutes.
Our flights don’t exceed 8,000 feet and we carry no oxygen onboard.

“Bertha” stands 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide and is 140,000 cu ft.
“Fat Boy” stands 65 feet tall and 45 feet wide and is 105,000 cu ft.
“Patches” stands 60 feet tall and 35 feet wide and is 77,000 cu ft.

We were established in 1981.

Most flights take place between treetop and 6,000 feet.

You feel no sensation of movement because the basket moves at the same speed as the wind. The ground drifts below you. It’s a unique perspective and a great photo opportunity. The flight is typically serenely quiet between “burns”. Sound from below carries differently. You can hear people speaking in a normal tone from the ground below. A barking dog sounds like it’s up in the sky with you.

Cold air is blown into the envelope, then the burner heats up the cold air in the envelope. As the air in the envelope is heated it expands and becomes less dense. This causes the air inside the envelope to weigh less than the surrounding air. When the weight of the balloon system including passengers is lighter than the surrounding air the balloon will lift off and begin to fly.

We fly hot air balloons year round, one flight per day at sunrise. We prefer to fly at daybreak because the air is more stable and the winds are calmer than other times of day. Midday is not good for flying due to heat, shifting wind, and thermals.

Required weather conditions are:
• The wind speed must be less than 6 mph
• 3 miles of visibility – horizontally
• 3,000 ft. ceiling – vertically
• No rain or thunderstorms within a 60 miles radius

Depending on the wind speed the balloon will travel five miles an hour if the wind speed is at five miles an hour and ten miles an hour if the wind speed is at ten miles an hour.

Not really; it will be three degrees cooler for each 1000 feet we ascend. However we advise passengers to dress in layers because we fly at the coolest part of the day and one can add or remove layers during the flight to provide comfort.

When the burners are not in use, your flight will be very quiet and serene. Aloft there is not even wind noise because you are moving with it. You may hear dogs barking in the distance or conversations on the ground. When the burner is “on” it is very noisy in the basket.

Rarely; birds see the balloon and avoid it. The burners frighten most animals.
A bird would bounce off the balloon if there was a collision.

Not really; the balloon ascends with the warmer air and descends with the cooler air.
The pilot can change direction by ascending or descending to a current of air moving in a different direction.

Some consider hot air ballooning to be one of the safest forms of flying. However, there are risks with all sports. Balloonist accidents are typically related to encounters with power lines or hard landings that cause broken bones or muscle sprains. Some people wear helmets or kneepads to minimize the impact of a potentially hard landing which cannot be avoided if winds suddenly increase.

The flight is gentle and stable because you start from the ground and gently lift up.
The sensation is not like fixed wing aircraft flight and is unlikely to cause “vertigo”.

Asheville Hot Air Balloons strictly does not allow smoking in or around the balloon.

Asheville Hot Air Balloons strictly does not fly with pets in the basket. The blast valve noise is loud and may be frightening to dogs.

No; the FAA does not allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed during the flight.
Moreover, for your safety we would not bring glass bottles onboard. Upon request the pilot will provide you with bottled water in plastic bottles prior to the flight.

We encourage families to participate in hot air ballooning. There are a few issues to consider in determining if children may fly.We encourage families to participate in hot air ballooning. There are a few issues to consider in determining if children may fly.
• The sides of the baskets are 3 to 4 feet high therefore children who have not yet reached this height may not be able to enjoy the beautiful views.
• FAA regulations do not allow parents to hold or carry their children during a flight.
• The burners may frighten a small child.