At Balloons over Britain we welcome any person who wishes to take part in the wonderful adventure of Hot Air Ballooning and that includes persons with a disability. Naturally there are certain disabilities that could preclude someone taking a flight but we and our operators are committed to ensure, that those with disabilities are given every opportunity to take part in our sport.

If you are disabled or you are buying a voucher for some person that is we require that you contact us first before buying the flight voucher. By doing this we will be able to assess whether it is possible for the person to fly with us and if so to meet their requirements and to ensure their safety and that of other passengers. By contacting us, we will be able to provide detailed information regarding the facilities that are at specific venues; unfortunately we are not able to take any one on a flight who is confined to a wheelchair.

We know that a Hot Air Balloon flight makes a surprising and exciting gift for that special occasion, or just as a nice gift. Ballooning in the UK has an excellent safety record, in fact one of the best in the world. However we would always recommend that you choose an operator who is a properly licensed. You are safe in the knowledge that the Balloons over Britain operators are fully licensed and holders of an Air Operators Certificate.

An example would be the British Association of Balloon Operators whose members will provide service and care and operate under a national terms and conditions, will be registered with The Office of Fair Trading making your Hot Air Balloon flight, or one that the have bought for someone as a gift easy and safe in every respect. Choosing Balloons over Britain is a wise and safe option.

Flying in a balloon is a truly unique experience, quite different from other forms of flight. Calm, relaxing, and with your destination at nature’s mercy, floating over the towns and countryside makes a magical day out, so why do we say it is at natures mercy? Well although the qualified pilot has control of the height or altitude of the Hot Air Balloon, the air movement controls the direction. This is why both the launch site and the subsequent landing site can vary from time to time.

Hot Air Balloons are buoyant through the hot gas produced by the burners which has a lower density than the ambient air surrounding it and up you go in the wicker basket with your fellow passengers and the pilot of course! Naturally, Hot Air Ballooning is very dependant upon the prevailing weather conditions, much more so than other aviation activities, meaning a few re-scheduling of booked flights may have to be made until the right conditions arise.

Even if you are not thinking of taking a Hot Air Balloon flight in the very near future, why not get involved in Hot Air Ballooning by attending a festival? Many of these are held up and down the country throughout the year from small gatherings of a dozen or so up to 100 balloons. Weather permitting, mass ascents take place during morning and evening and often offer a nightglow ’spectacular’.

When attending do take a camera and wear flat comfy shoes and because it is often quite cool in the early mornings in the UK, wear layers of clothing and make it a day, take a picnic. Remember to go early, buy a programme and watch the weather reports because if it is going to be very windy or there are gales, fog, thunder and lightening then do something else! The next event to be held is the so called “Brass Monkey Meet” organised by the Pennine Region Balloon Association on Sat 2nd Feb 2008 - Sun 3rd Feb 2008 at Rudding Park Harrogate Yorkshire. Keep watching our site and we will update you on future events.

A large part of the fun of your flight is the pre-flight setting up of the balloon, although nothing can beat the wonderful sensation of the actual flight itself, setting up is a spectacular show for the passengers, witnessing the impressive sight of the envelope being fully inflated.

Watch as the envelope is laid out flat and fan is placed in the neck of the envelope to fill this with air until this is about half full, which happens more quickly than you might imagine. With the basket secured firmly to the floor, and the burner secured in place, which is then ignited, the envelope soon fills. Once the envelope is full you and your fellow passengers take their place in the basket and your adventure is underway.

There are over riding reasons why balloon flights usually take place in the early morning, the same reasons apply to around 3 to 4 hours before sunset as well. The reasons for this are that under normal conditions, wind conditions are at their calmest in the early morning and late afternoon. Wind is the most important factor when the decision is made to make the flight or not, although the weather may seem fine winds speeds can change and the balloon flight may have to be cancelled.

We know that the cancellation of your balloon flight can be frustrating, but it is done for your safety and comfort, we are sure that when your flight does take place, it will be well worth it, nothing beats a hot air balloon flight, as well as the sight of the envelope of the balloon being inflated whilst you wait, it is really impressive.

What goes up must come down, very safely of course in the case of a hot air balloon, so what actually happens? The first thing to say is that your fully qualified pilot has done this hundreds of times, but the landing can be a bumpy affair. The pilot will bring the balloon down very slowly and the basket will be at an angle when you touch down, this is to help the basket lose speed and come to a quick safe halt. The basket is fitted with side rail supports and ropes to make sure you do not fall out!

After you have safely got out of the balloon basket, comes the time to deflate the envelope and pack it away. From this time you will all be transported back to the launch point or your agreed pick up point and it’s time for your champagne and to receive your flight certificate. The end of a perfect day!

We imagine that you will have watched, perhaps even helped to inflate the hot air balloon and now it’s the time for you to enjoy the flight, so what can you expect from this? Describing a balloon flight is difficult. It is something that you have to experience. However, it can be like feelings of weightlessness, not quite a space trip but you feel as though you are floating on air and just drifting along.

We hope you have a bright clear day and if you do, you will certainly be able to see for miles. Sights in your locality seen from the ground take on a whole new look when you’re up in the air, tranquilly floating above them. About an hour in to the flight, your qualified pilot will start to look for some where safe to bring the balloon in to land and then you can look forward to the post flight operations, not forgetting that champagne! 

You can make your dream come true, you remember one of those ten most wanted things people want to do, that’s right by taking a Hot Air Balloon trip. Fly gently as a bird high above some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside, see famous landmarks in comfort, style and safety and look down on that famous patchwork quilt that makes up our lovely country.

You may be buying this event as a gift for your self or for a special friend, perhaps as a thank you to a member of staff. The occasions are varied and numerous, examples include; birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, a special Wedding gift, this is an ideal way to say thank you, congratulations, or I love you.

Your special day will not just be a flight, but will include the preparation of the balloon, return to the launch site and we must not forget champagne and a signed certificate from the pilot to commemorate the day.

When we at Balloons over Britain refer to records we are not talking about what was the longest flight or the highest, although there are plenty of those that we could mention here. One of the nicest records we like to refer to is the oldest person that has flown in one of our member’s balloon was 100 years and 4 days old, we think that is a wonderful achievement and shows that there are no age limits.

Another oddity and a record as well was the highest pint of beer pulled in a balloon achieved at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The Captain of the Bristol RUFC, a team sponsored in the rugby premiership by the brewer Bass, pulled a pint of beer at 3,500 feet over the city of Bristol. Nice!

There are hundreds of instances of records and oddities in Hot Air Balloons and if you know of one or have been associated with one, tell us and we will put it on the site.