It is a natural assumption that if you want to become involved with Hot Air Ballooning UK wide you have to have a lot of spare income as this involves great expenditure. Well here at Balloons over Britain we can assure you that this is not the case, far from it. The simplest and very inexpensive way of getting involved is to crew for a pilot as the pilot cannot rig the balloon without at least three or more crew.

There are few requirements to becoming a member of a Hot Air Balloon crew, fit enough to be able to carry some heavy items, maybe across a field for example, not to the level of a trained athlete. Getting up early in the morning is another, in order to get to the launch site for Sunrise Balloon Flights Having a driving licence and possibly your own car could be useful, although not essential and being a committed team member is vital. Contact us at Balloons over Britain; perhaps take a ride first at a local operator near you.

Anyone with an average ability can become a pilot of a Hot Air Balloon fulfilling the requirements for the PPL (B) which should not be considered as a task to be taken lightly. The Hot Air Balloon is a registered aircraft and the licence which you will ultimately hold will be issued by the Civil Aviation Authority specifically for ballooning.

We firstly suggest that you arrange with Balloons over Britain to take a Hot Air Balloon flight with a local operator and discuss with them the possibility of taking the necessary course to achieve your ambition, this checks that you will enjoy it before you commit time, energy and money to becoming a Pilot. Becoming a Licensed Pilot requires hours of commitment and theoretical training, but at the end of it you will become a qualified pilot. How’s that for a topic down at the pub?

Have you taken a flight in a Hot Air Balloon with one of the seventy local operators that come under the umbrella of Balloons over Britain, if so we would love to hear from you? The aim of Balloons over Britain UK operators is to offer a helpful, flexible and friendly service, naturally the main aim is to give you pleasure and enjoyment in what is regarded as one of the ten things most people want to do.

Passenger safety is the prime requirement in any aerial operation involving the general public and this is one of the cornerstones on which we, and the local operators throughout Britain, have built our operation. During your flight, if as we recommend, you took your camera, let us see your pictures so that your enjoyment can be shared with others. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.

Hot air balloons have always been used for commercial purposes right from the time that they first took to the sky. Hot air balloons are used for a variety of different reasons, including pleasure rides, business advertisements, sports and some people even choose to get married on hot air balloon flights that have been arranged for them! It is true to say though, that the main use that hot air balloons are used for, is commercial flights where the public can book a balloon flight from an area which is local and close to them.

Companies are increasingly using hot air balloons to give incentive to their employees; others use balloons as corporate advertising mediums for their products or company. Many companies buy balloons of special shape which can be very eye catching and Balloons over Britain are able to assist companies in this important part of the hot air ballooning UK scene.

When you book your hot air balloon UK flight you will not be crossing the Atlantic, you will be floating over the beautiful countryside of Britain, seeing the patchwork of fields below, the silence broken only by the sound of the hot air burner keeping you in the air.

However, crossing the Atlantic was always a great challenge for the aspiring hot air balloonist. For many years hot air balloonist’s attempted the challenge but it was not until 1978 that the crossing of “the pond” was achieved. Three pilots Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman flying in their hot air balloon “Double Eagle II” covered the 3120 mile crossing in an impressive time of 137 hours, a fantastic achievement. Just like you when you make your balloon ride, meticulous preparation before the flight will have taken place, although in your case a “chase crew” will be following, a bit more difficult over the Atlantic.

Take time today and book your summer trip of a lifetime through the pages of Balloons over Britain, operating from a launch site near you.

The pre-flight setting up of the balloon is a spectacular a show for the passengers as they witness the spectacular sight of the mighty hot air balloon being inflated.

Firstly the huge envelope is laid out flat and initially a large fan is put into the neck of the balloon’s envelope which begins to fill. The basket is attached and securely fixed to the ground and the burner is fixed in place. The balloon, already half filled with air from the fan is soon filled by the hot air burner and the passengers can get into the basket ready for an experience that will be remembered for years to come.

Hot air balloon rides UK wide can be undertaken through Balloons over Britain, where you can either buy a gift voucher, or arrange a flight with one of the country wide operators that we are associated with.

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.