Balloon Quest Inc

Ballooning's Leader For Over 35 Years

Purchase Online or Call 248-634-3094

HOT AIR BALLOON QUESTIONSBelow you will find some common questions for Hot Air Balloon Flights, Please call if you have other hot air balloon flight questions that we have not answered. 248-634-3094

 

Lets Start with a few questions you should ask!

Can you visit their showroom & talk to their pilots? Many pilots have no location for you to visit because they do this from home. Ticket resellers or part time pilots will not be able to offer you a good answer because they have no location, would you buy other products or services like that? There is more to your experience when done professionally. WE invite you to visit our showroom, speak with one of our pilots, see exactly where you will launch from and view all that we have to offer. You can certainly purchase by phone or web as well, but you will know you are buying from an established company with a real location for you to come to for your flight, much more than just a meeting place. You can even play a game of golf on our 18 hole aviation themed mini-golf course or have an ice cream from our Cafe' or relax while you picnic at our beautiful park like setting while still having the convenience of a balloon dedicated showroom location. (and of course, indoor restroom!) Imagine meeting your pilot at a remote location with no facilities!

How many years have they been flying? Capt. Phogg Balloon Rides has been flying the area for over 35 years & our pilots are some of the most experienced anywhere!

What kind of countryside will you be flying over? Ever hear the term "Location Is Everything". It is very true for ballooning as well. Our showroom location is centrally located among many lakes, rolling hills & abundant wildlife for a beautiful adventure. We use this launch site because it is one of the most beautiful locations to fly! No meeting at a random location here, our own beautiful site was chosen for its great location for ballooning, very beautiful area and easy to get to! We invest in our customers by offering the best experience possible.

Do they have multiple pilots so you will be able to schedule when you want to? Capt Phogg Balloon Rides is one of the largest operations in the country with many pilots & balloons.

Do they fly year round, we mean 365 days sunrise & sunset? We will schedule all year sunrise & sunset, we exclude Christmas and of course flights are weather permitting.

Are they a ticket reseller, do they have balloons you can actually see, or do they just sell tickets? This is a new problem in ballooning, with many internet companies that don't even own balloons trying to sell tickets that they then try to get someone in your area to fly at the lowest cost. The most likely pilots to take these tickets would be the less experienced that have no customer base of their own. Less experience is the last thing you want in a pilot or company that you are depending on with your safety. You can be a commercial balloon pilot with as little as 35 hours of flight! Our pilots are some of the most experienced in the country.

Join the world famous Capt Phogg® Balloon Rides for the ultimate adventure in ballooning. Stop in our showroom to check out the fun!

We are one of the largest & longest running balloon ride operations in the country! We are one of only a handful of balloon ride companies in the nation to offer our own full service location and launch area for our customers. You should expect more from professionals than to randomly meet at some parking lot, park or someone else's business location. We are dedicated to offering the most professional service to our customers which means that our location will always strive to offer the best ballooning adventure, our pilots are some of the most experienced in the country & we are dedicated to making your flight a fantastic lifetime memory.

Flights are scheduled year round, weather permitting, from our launch grounds and showroom located in a beautiful countryside setting in the Fenton, MI. area. Flights are scheduled sunrise and sunset. We offer private flights, group flights, tethers, traditional flights and custom tailored flights. Every flight includes all the extras you would expect from a Capt Phogg® balloon ride experience, including champagne, flight souvenirs and certificates. Shop online, stop in our showroom, or call 248-634-3094 to set up your adventure.

Here are some questions we often hear.

 

1.	How big is the Hot Air Balloon?
	An average Hot Air Balloon is 50,000 cubic ft. to 250,000 cubic ft. That is approximately 100 feet high and 60 feet in diameter. These balloons will carry between 1 to 14 passengers + the pilot.
2.	What makes the hot air balloons rise?
	Hot Air! High-powered propane burners ignites and heats liquid propane that is aimed into the balloon to make it rise. The burners create up to 40 million BTU's of heat. In comparison, an average home barbecue generates 15,000 BTU's. Each flight uses approximately 10 to 80 gallons of propane.
3.	How fast do you fly?
	The balloon travels the same speed as the wind. An average flight distance depends on wind speed. Ideally, we like about a five knot breeze.
4.	How do you steer the balloon?
	Hot Air Balloons cannot be steered like an airplane or helicopter. Balloons travel only in the direction of the wind. At different altitudes the breeze sometimes changes direction, allowing some small measure of directional control. Our chase crew follows along on the ground. Upon landing, our crew retrieves the balloon and passengers and returns them to the launch location.
5.	What type of weather conditions are needed to fly in a hot air balloon?
	Hot Air Balloon passenger flights take place in winds less than 10 knots, with no rain or approaching storms in the immediate area. Flights also require visibility of at least 3 miles
6.	What time of day do the flights take place?
	Flights take place at sunrise and approximately 2 hours prior to sunset, only on days when surface winds are low. Hot Air Balloons are not able to fly during the day due to thermal activity,  which makes the air unstable. The updrafts and downdrafts or thermals could overpower the balloons ability to climb, so we stay on the ground in the middle of the day.
7.	Can you fly all year?
	YES WE DO!. Some of the best flights take place during the fall and winter months. During this time, visibility is usually unlimited. Winter & Spring usually has more days with gusty winds than other times of the year, but at Balloon Quest we fly every day weather permits, all year long.
8.	Is it cold up there?
	No, the temperature is about the same on the ground as it is in the air, in fact you may be warmer! The temperature only begins to drop when you begin to fly very high. The temperature drops about 3 1/2 degrees F every one thousand feet altitude, but the burners make up for this amount. We usually stay within 3,000 feet of the ground, so the temperature is not much different. However, some heat will be felt from the burners overhead, especially on warm days!
9.	Can anyone fly the balloon?
	To fly a hot air balloon you must be a licensed balloon pilot. Much like a fixed-wing pilot, balloon pilots go through extensive training including ground school, written exams and hands-on flying. All Balloon Quest pilots are licensed commercial balloon pilots.
10.	What is the balloon made of?
	Balloons are made from rip-stop nylon much like your winter ski jacket. Yet unlike your jacket, the balloon is coated in a special chemical to help it resist heat and last longer. Balloons have an average life expectancy of 300-400 hours of use.  After that, you may have to replace the "balloon part", or envelope. Just the envelope can cost upwards of $20,000 to $70,000. That's part of the reason it may be more expensive to take a balloon ride than to catch a jet flight to Florida. The jet operates all the time, and the airline doesn't have to replace 1/2 the plane every 300 hours of flying time and they can split the cost among a very large group!
11.	Who makes hot air balloons?
	There are several companies in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom which make high quality balloons. Modern day balloons come in all shapes and sizes, from 21,000 cubic ft. - one person balloons to 400,000 cubic ft. - 22 passenger balloons. Balloon Quest is an Authorized Cameron Hot Air Balloon Dealer, and Cameron is one of the largest builders of balloons.
12.	How much does a hot air balloon cost?
	An average sport hot air balloon, which carries 2-3 people, starts at around $25,000 to $50,000. Larger balloons for passenger service can cost $90,000.00 or more. Balloon Quest can give you an exact quote, if you are interested in learning to fly or buying your own balloon and we also sell used systems.
13.	How long are the flights?
	On average, flights are 45 minutes to one hour in length. Some flights can go for up to 1 1/2 hours depending on the amount of fuel on board; the passengers' combined weight and the temperature of the air. Morning flights and winter flights tend to be at the higher end, as the cool air of the morning (or winter) means the fuel consumption is reduced.
14.	How much does it cost?
	It depends on several factors, such as number flying, weekend or week day, and whether you fly with a full time ride company like us, who has been in business many years, or a man who flys on weekends out of the back of his pickup truck. In general, you get what you pay for. We are cost competitive with all companies, but we feel if you fly with us, you'll enjoy the experience more. Expect to pay between $180 and $250 per person if part of a group flight, depending on the size of your group, and between $350 and $400 per person for a private 2-person charter flight. Call for the current rate or seasonal special prices.
15.	How high do you fly?
	Though the altitude record for hot air ballooning is 64,997 feet, the height of passenger flights range anywhere from treetops up to 3,000 feet or more.
16.	What type of clothing should we wear?
	Special clothing is not required for hot air ballooning. We recommend you wear what you would normally wear for taking a long walk. in the country on a sunny day. We always suggest practical wear, such as long pants, a hat and on cool days, a light jacket. No sandals or high heels please and shorts or bare feet are definitely NOT recommended.
17.	Can I bring my camera and binoculars?
	Yes, we encourage it. Some of the greatest pictures can be taken from 500 feet in the air. Don't forget to bring lots of film or videotape. It's a long way down to a store if you run out of film. Three rolls is common. And don't forget a protective case for landing, we don't want to scratch anything.
18.	How do I book a hot air balloon flight?
	It's simple..........Just give Balloon Quest a call at (248)634-3094. We'll give you all the information you need and schedule your flight or e-mail us for a free brochure. E-mail is: info@balloonride.com