Hot air balloon ride?

Question

I'd like to plan a hot air balloon ride w/my husband for Valentine's Day. How safe are they? Do your ears pop?

Answer 1

My grandfather owned a hot air balloon before he passed away.  They are safe, just research the pilot find out how many flights he has been on, does he have a good crew, and so on.  My first ride was when I was 7 and it was great.  I flew many many times with my grandfather and my uncle who was also a pilot and alway had so much fun.  The view is beautiful up there.  Your ears don't generally pop because you aren't going up as high as you think but take some gum with you just in case.  It is a great experience and I think you will have a very memorable Valentines day if you do decide to go for a ride.  Good Luck! :)

Answer 2

I've been a balloon pilot for 30 years.

Are they "safe"?  

All things are relative.

Yes, it's safer than wrestling alligators.  But it is more dangerous than flying a small airplane.

There were about a dozen accidents last year among the roughly 3,000 active balloons in the U.S, and three accidents were fatal.   There were no fatal accidents in the U.S. in 2006, and there were 2 fatals in 2005. So there is an inherent risk in this activity. Still, there are tens of thousands of people who enjoy a safe ride each year from among the roughly 300 private ride operators. Most are "weekend flyers", who take along a passenger or two to help meet the bills.  About 40 or 50 are full time ride operators who do it for a living. Carefully research the person or business who is offering- there are some unscrupulus people who try and sell rides.  

My advice is find an established ride operator in a smaller balloon - like a two or four passenger one- you'll enjoy the ride better than a ride in a large balloon (which can carry upwards of ten or 12 passengers).  Ask the better business bureau about complaints.  And then do a google seach and see if anyone else has stories about that operator.

While a pilot's license is required, there is very little FAA oversite of balloons--it's not like an airline. There is no more FAA oversite than that given to private airplane pilots. In fact, less than that, actually.

Will your ears pop?  Maybe. Depends on the speed and which the pilot climbs/descends, and how high you go.

Balloons must fly in low wind conditions. a 3 to 5 knot wind is ideal. 7 knots or more and it becomes more difficult to fly, anything over 8 knots and your risk of an accident inceases dramatically.  A day with only 2 knots or less wind and the ride is not as good.

Costs can vary widely.  Don't go with the cheapest price- you get what you pay for.  It should cost between $200 and $300 per person, depending on location.  Someone who charges $150 or less will probably give you a ride in an old beat-up balloon.  Not worth the risk.

Good luck, and enjoy your flight. There is no experinece quite like a balloon ride.

Answer 3

Most Champagne Flights Don't Go That High to Make your Ears POP and the Rate in Climb and Decent is Controlled.

The sport is Regulated By The FAA.

I Fly when ever I can.

Check around for a Pilot

Answer 4

Ive been riding in baloons my entire life!

This is def one of he most romantic things you can ever do!

They are very safe due to technolgy and yes your ears might pop!

WHO CARES~~~~~~~~~~DO IT~~~~~~~NEITHER WILL EVER FORGET IT!

Your awsome......

Answer 5

They're safe when done by a certified, experienced hot air ballonist on a day when the wind is very low. Of course, there are occasional accidents as with any sport, but as with a plane crashing, a balloon accident always makes the big time news with video at 6.

Your ears might pop, depending on how high you go and how fast you ascend.