Tips for first time Hot Air Balloon Riders

Is this your first time going out on a hot air balloon ride? Or just need some more information to help you experience one of the most adventurous things you’ve ever done in your life! We’ll give you info on what to expect.

What clothing should you wear?

Sneakers with high socks or high boots (so you can protect your feet from grass burns of the field we will normally land in)
Flexible pants or shorts (To get into the basket you literally have to climb in and out. It is important that you have clothing that allows you to bend and flex.)
Sun hat or baseball cap (Will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun but mostly the burner. The burner uses propane tanks to propel heat into the balloon and since it is an open flame tends to be quite hot.)
Layered Clothing (Mostly for winter climates but if we are going higher it will get slightly colder. But any summer or desert climate like Phoenix, which Firebird Balloon’s is based out of. You should be fine with summer clothing.)

What to take with you?

All you really need to bring to enjoy the experience of hot air ballooning is yourself. Although these items do come in handy.

Cool Shades
Empty Bladder
Courage

Begin your adventure in the air!

Start Here

Before and Launch

Before

Once you meet your crew and pilot you will head out to the launch site.

Be sure to meet on time so that the launch is not delayed and you don’t ruin it all for everybody else and you can get your full flight time experience.

There are no bathrooms 5,000 feet in the sky so make sure you use the restroom before getting into the balloon.

Booking a shared flight means you will share a ride with other passengers which in most cases have made friendships this way.

Private flights, on the other hand, well just be whoever is with you and the pilot and crew.

Launch Process

The balloon will be laid in such a way that the wind will help to inflate the balloon.

When the balloon is ready to inflate, an inflation fan will force air into the balloon. This requires two people to help hold the balloon open and would make a great photo opportunity. Anyone holding cables must listen to the pilot to ensure everybody is safe.

Once the air has filled up the balloon the pilot will light the burner to bring the balloon upright.

After that, we can now climb into the balloon gondola which is the basket you would sit in to enjoy the ride.

In the Hot Air Balloon

Most riders don’t realize how calm and beautiful a hot air balloon experience can be. Since we are one with the wind, floating through the air at different altitudes, the only time you even feel the air is when the balloon changes altitudes or the natural wind speed changes.

Sometimes we can even skim trees and get you a leaf. The balloon can soar up to 7,000 feet or maybe even take a dip in a pond or lake. This is also the perfect place to get engaged or as a wedding gift. You can see a marriage proposal down below:

Getting Back Down

Landing is actually the most exciting part of riding a hot air balloon.

Our experienced pilot will look for a landing site based on the geography of the land and the time of day.

How good of a landing we get depends on the wind speed and terrain.

Calm winds mean there is a chance for the hot air balloon to rest on the ground with little to no impact. Which is called a “stand up landing”.

Moderate winds are where the fun is and your pilot may tell you to crouch down. He’ll then instruct you to turn sideways from the ground and ask you to bend your knees slightly to help absorb the impact. The balloon may be pulled and turned sideways with moderate and any wind speed faster. The gondola can help you brace and keep from any injuries from happening.

When the balloon has come to a stop if it is upright the pilot will tell passengers to wait until some of the hot air is released. Letting hot air releases from the balloon ensures the balloon doesn’t take off again when you try to get off.

For all the cool people that landed sideways, the balloon will be deflated hastily and you will be able to climb out of the basket.