Where Do You Begin . . . How Do You Get Started?
Once you decide on the date and either a morning (A.M.) or evening (P.M.) time, the pilot will give you instructions on what time to call to check on the status of the flight. For A.M. flights, you will call the night before and for the P.M. flights, you will call in the early afternoon. When you call, you will be given a "Go" or "No Go" status - depending on the weather forecast for that time.
When you call for your "Go" status, your pilot will set-up a meeting place for all passengers to meet. Once you meet your balloon, passengers will ride in the "chase vehicle" - with the pilot and crew - to the launch site.
The launch will be determined depending on wind speed and direction. Once you arrive at the launch site, the balloon will be unloaded from the trailer and the setup begins. Passengers are encouraged (but it is not mandatory) to help with preparation and inflation of the balloon.
Once the balloon is inflated the passengers will board the balloon and begin their journey into the skies of St. Louis or St. Charles Counties. The crew returns to the chase vehicle and remains in radio contact with the pilot at all times. They will follow the balloon in the chase vehicle (hence the name used for the vehicle). The crew will be at the landing site when you touch back down on the ground.
Your balloon flight will take place in our 90,000 cubic foot balloon. To give you a perspective of how large that is, you can put 90,000 basketballs in the envelope of the balloon. The balloon stands 75 feet tall and weighs 786 pounds - including fuel. You will fly in a wicker basket with 40 gallons of liquid propane. The burner system, which is the engine of the balloon, has the ability to produce up to 25 million BTU's of power or 11,000 Horse Power. St. Louis Ballooning Adventures LLC balloons are inspected every 100-hours of flight time or once each year - whichever comes first. They are inspected at an FAA certified repair station. Hot air balloons are the safest form of transportation.
Once safely back on the ground, the balloon will be packed up and loaded back in the trailer - again, you may assist with packing and loading. When the balloon is loaded and everything is complete, you will be entertained with a champagne or grape juice toast, a Flight Certificate and the story of why champagne is a tradition in ballooning.
You will then be taken back to your vehicle and sent on your way with memories that will, hopefully, last a lifetime.
Please call (314) 550-1061, or e-mail to stlballooningadventures@yahoo.com with any questions.