Considering hot air ballooning as a Christmas present for your loved one? Maybe you’ve decided to present your best friend, your partner, your parent or sibling with a magical hot air balloon ride voucher for their Christmas present this year, an original idea with sentiment! The joy of giving a hot air balloon ride as a present is the knowing the great reaction it will receive. Just imagine yourself on the receiving end, opening your gift box to reveal a helium balloon gently raising out of the box with colourful vouchers tied to the ribbon. Can you imagine the pure excitement you would feel knowing that at a date of your choice during the following 12 months, you would be floating 3,000 feet in the air, gracefully drifting over the rolling countryside, panoramic 360 degree views with a glass of champagne? It doesn’t get more blissful, yet more exhilarating than this!

Many people question whether ballooning is suitable for them, or the recipient; this is fairly simple. Our FAQ’s should give you a clear idea of whether hot air ballooning is the right choice. Also, our member facts may help;

• The youngest passenger was just 7 years old.
• 50% of their passengers bought the flight as a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday present.
• 17% of their passengers were over 70 years old.
• The oldest passenger was 100 years and 4 days old.
• 22% of the business came from personal recommendation.
• The most frequent passenger has flown with them 12 times!!

So if you’re concerned that you or your intended recipient are too large, small, old, young or immobile, think again; read our FAQ’s, you may be pleasantly surprised! For enquiries, get in touch with us a Balloons Over Britain on 0845 071 6388, or alternatively take a look at our locations, select the appropriate member company and then e-mail them or call them direct.

On the Sunday 11^th September this year at 7:40pm, the British ballooning team consisting of David Hempleman-Adams and Simon Care landed their balloon after taking part in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race 2011. The pair landed after 20 hours of flying in their Lady Luck balloon, finding themselves in Worgl, Austria, when a thunderstorm became a threat.

Enjoying a scenic flight over the luscious French Alps, the Swiss Alps, and the Austrian Alps, Hempleman-Adams and Carey initially launched their balloon from Gap in France at 10:40pm on the Saturday. Reaching a distance of 580.9 km, the pair weren’t far off the German Team 2 winners who reached 645.6 km, landing just outside Saltzburg. The German team 1 came in at second place. Our very own Flight Director Clive Bailey (of Bailey Balloons) and Luc Trullemans, maintained communications with the British team at regular intervals throughout the flight, from the HQ in Bristol at the Bristol Hotel.

Clive commented;

“We are especially proud of David and Simon given the competition they faced. They have had an exciting and stunning flight which was much shorter than last year’s flight due to the high altitudes that they had to fly at and bad weather but it was a flight that was hard work but ended with a perfect stand up landing.”

Upon landing Hempleman-Adams phoned to say;

“We had to land as there were thunder storms all around. We had a truly spectacular flight with amazing views over the Alps, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn…incredible. Nige and Bob, the retrieve crew turned up within a few minutes of us landing and we all then had to sort out the balloon after which they celebrated with some whisky and then retired to a local restaurant to savour some hot food.”

Maybe it’s about time you saw the world from a different perspective. At Balloons Over Britain we specialise at giving you just that! Since 1991 we have been the UK’s largest and longest established balloon flight operators and have provided a nationwide ballooning network covering areas across Scotland, England and Wales. In fact, we have over 70 different launch site locations across the UK! With over 40 balloons spread out across our member companies, we are able to offer a continuous service right across the season which is normally from March to the end of October. However some companies offer flights over extended periods. With dawn and dusk flights, seven days a week, Balloons Over Britain proudly fly over one-third of all balloon flight passengers across the United Kingdom.

All of our member companies offer a breathtaking experience and each holds Civil Aviation Authority licensing. Our member companies include the following:

Adventure Balloons – Adventure balloons covers areas across Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, South Oxfordshire, London and Surrey and have been operating since 1985! Adventure Balloons even offer a dedicated birthday balloon service which is complemented with its own ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ birthday!

Aerosaurus Balloons – Aerosaurus Balloons offer flights across locations Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, South Somerset and Wiltshire. The company have been operating for 23 years!

Airborne Balloon Flights – Airborne Balloon Flights cover the Kent and Sussex areas and have been in flight for 18 years.

Alba Ballooning – Alba Ballooning covers Edinburgh, Kinross, the Scottish Borders and Northumberland and have been flying since 2000.

Anglian Countryside Balloons – Anglian Countryside Balloons proudly covers the Essex area and began ballooning in the early 1990’s.

Balloon Rides – Balloon Rides fly over the beautiful Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, their founder having over 30 years experience in flying and manufacturing balloons.

Bailey Balloons – Bailey Balloons has locations across Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Wales and offer a wealth of experience, untouchable safety record and clear passion for ballooning.

The Ballooning Business – The Ballooning Business has launch sites in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and began flying in 1989.

Broadland Balloons – Broadland Balloons cover Norfolk and Suffolk and have nearly 20 years experience in passenger ballooning.

Wickers World – Wickers World have sites in Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire and have been a passenger balloons flights company for 22 years!

To book a flight with one of the above balloon flights operators, simply call on 0845 071 6388 or book online.

Balloons Over Britain are the UK’s leading balloon flights co-ordinator managing balloon operators right across the UK. Most of our members companies have been operating passenger balloon rides for over ten years and some hold experience for twice as long as that! It’s no wonder that Balloons Over Britain are the UK’s number one choice for passenger balloon rides!

Considering our extensive list of member companies along with the many years experience held by all, Balloons Over Britain hold an unparalleled wealth of operational experience combined with the highest operating standards. However more impressively, from our endless experience has come many of the procedures that have now been incorporated into the industries standards via our regulatory body, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)! And to clarify, all Balloons Over Britain members hold Air Operators Certificates issued by the CAA. Please note that this certification is only granted to fare-paying-passenger carrying companies who satisfy the organisational and safety requirements required by the CAA.

You can experience an intimate balloon ride for two or even make a booking for a party of 16, that’s the beauty of Balloons Over Britain, with all our member companies, we have a choice of so many balloons! Take a look at our map of the UK for an idea of the areas we cover, or alternatively view our list of balloon ride operators.

However many of our customers are not looking for a standard passenger balloon ride, instead they turn to us for help with Corporate entertainment as incentives for their customers and clients or even their staff and often people come to us regarding Commercial opportunities for balloon operation and advertising. Whatever it is you’re looking for, simply visit our site or call us on 0845 071 6388 for more information.

Many people before making the leap and booking their dream hot air balloon adventure have reservations about ballooning and are unsure about the safety of the sport. In fact most of our customers here at Wickers World have – before making their bookings – called to enquire about the various details of ballooning first. So maybe it’s time we put your minds at ease.

When you compare hot air ballooning with any other form of recreational aviation, you’ll find that it has an unbeatable safety record. This is for a number of reasons, the first one of course being down to the relatively slow speeds at which a hot air balloon travels, however it is also a reflection of the high safety standards required across the industry.

It is required that every commercial balloon operating company in the UK must be granted an Air Operator’s Certificate by the Civil Aviation Authority before carrying fare-paying passengers. This certificate needs to be kept up-to-date and every company will need to consistently re-apply. What’s more, all hot air ballooning pilots need to hold an unrestricted commercial pilot’s licence which is rated on balloons. The hot air balloons themselves are strictly designed and maintained as public transport category aircraft following the same stringent guidelines as a commercial airliner!

Every year, without fail, pilots are required to take an annual flight exam, and regular medicals by a CAA appointed medical examiner, plus company chief pilots regularly observe company aircrew performance in order to help maintain high standards of safety and competence. All these guidelines and details amount to an abundance of experience and preparations. So worry not, when booking your flight here at Wickers World, you can be sure that your day will be about the flight, the fun and the relaxation only!

If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please feel free to call on 01189 88 22 22 or alternatively find out everything you need to know online.

Let’s face it, Britain offers much in the way of choice when it comes to hot air ballooning, not just in terms of location and scenery, but also when it comes to the flight companies themselves. With so many companies offering competitive packages and huge savings, it’s important to find a flights operator who offers a ‘wow’ factor so that they can be distinguished from the rest. With every firm offering the same service, the competition is rife and many companies are turning to vastly reduced prices in order to draw in the customers. However with very low prices come very poor wages; these firms will be unable to afford to pay the best pilots or those with years of good experience and unblemished safety records.

Here at Alba Balloons we urge everybody, whether our customers or not, put your safety first and make sure to do your research. Don’t jump straight in and book with the cheapest operator, take the time to find out more about the company and their pilots. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, is the flight and hour or more, or are they only able to say ‘up to an hour’ or ‘about an hour’ – you’ll want your monies worth. Find out how many balloons the company has and how many locations they claim to cover. If they only have a couple of balloons yet claim to have launch sites in 20 locations, the chances are that the majority of time they are unable to fulfil their customer’s first choice. How many years have they been flying and are the pilots experienced. Ask about the firm’s safety record, make a check list of questions and when you’re satisfied, go ahead and book.

At Alba Balloons our flights are very popular so we ensure that there are sufficient flights scheduled to meet the demand. What’s more, you can see this for yourself by viewing our flight availability before you buy, this way there’ll be no unpleasant surprises with us! With a choice of four Balloon Flight Voucher options and a Gift Token option, you can tailor the day to meet your expectations.

• Freedom Flight Voucher – Normally £169 – August price £149 per person! You can book onto any of our scheduled flights, including weekends at any one of our locations.
• Weekday Flight Voucher – Normally £155 – August price £135 per person! You can book onto any of our weekday scheduled flights, and again, at any location.
• Weekday Morning Flight Voucher – Normally £139 – August price £119 per person! You can book onto any of our weekday morning scheduled flights in Scotland (Not available for Northumberland flights; may not be available for Scottish Borders – check Flight Schedules).
• Premium Flight Voucher – Normally £199 – August price £179 per person! You can book onto any of our scheduled flights, including weekends at any location. Includes ‘in flight’ photo and fully refundable (subject to conditions).
• Gift Token Options – Any £ amount. Redeemable against the purchase of any of our above Flight Vouchers.

For information of Alba Balloons, our pilots, experience and safety record, please visit our ‘about us’ page where you will find all you need to know and more; however if you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please call on 01875 830709.

Basic Ballooning Health & Safety

If you’re about book your Ballooning dream adventure – congratulations! You’re about to endeavour upon the most spectacular journey of your life and it certainly will be one you’ll remember. However you will need to learn the basic health and safety guidelines before you sail the skies! So before you book, read on.

Health

You will need to be physically fit enough to be able to climb in and out of the basket – consider that the basket is about 110 cm (44 inches) high, however foot holes are provided). It is also required that you are able to crouch so that landing is faster and so that you are safe when the balloon tips. You will also need to bare in mind that when the balloon lands, it can often be a bumpy landing and so you will need to be able to absorb some of the impact. One way of measuring the level of shock you can expect is to stand on a dining chair and jump off, this is what can be expected of a heavier landing. For this reason you will not be able to fly if you are pregnant or if you have significant ankle, knee, hip, back or bone weakness. For those who suffer any heart, nervous or mental conditions, it is advised that they do not fly as it is not generally possible to land the balloon at short notice should anything happen. If you’re not sure if this applies to you, contact your GP and they will be able to advise you further.

Children

Children under the age of eight will not be able to fly, one reason for this is that they will not be able to see over the side! Children under the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Weight

Please note, we are not normally able to fly passengers who weigh more than 18 stone or 115kg, nor are we able to fly couples who’s combined weight exceeds 30 stone or 190kg.

Insurance

Everyone who flies in the balloon is insured against injury to European legislated minimum requirements and loss of personal effects to a limit (details available on request) but you must inform us before booking a flight of any medical or physical condition you may have that a balloon flight could affect.

To book your ballooning day contact Balloons Over Britain on 0845 071 6388 or take a pick from our many, many locations and see which of our balloon operators fly in that area.

Countryside Balloons are the longest running balloon flight operator in Essex and Suffolk and are members of the very reputable Balloons Over Britain ballooning network. Countryside Balloons offer flights from locations Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Kelvedon, Brentwood and Billericay, so you can pick the spot that is ideal for you.

Have you thought about giving a hot air balloon ride as a gift? Whether your looking to give someone close to you the chance for an exhilarating adventure or more of a romantic drift, either way, hot air ballooning makes the ideal and unique present. Here at Countryside balloons we give the whole package offering not only a hot air balloon flight, but also the opportunity to become involved in the preparation of the balloon before take-off, the chance to learn about how the balloon works and then to sum it all up, we’ll even treat you to a glass or two of Champagne after you land! With a couple of added reassurances such as fully licensed minibus transport to return all our balloon passengers back to the original take-off point and also buyer assurance in the form of approval by the Essex County Council Trading Standards as members of the Buy With Confidence scheme, you can relax in the knowledge that you’re in safe hands. What’s more, if you’d like to offer a balloon flight as a gift, we have a very unique way of presenting your gift to your friend or loved one. Our ‘Balloon in a Box’ gift voucher is attached to a helium filled foil balloon bearing your chosen message. The balloon and voucher will arrive in a robust gift box and will float out to the delight of the unsuspecting recipient. Now that’s pretty smart!

There are a couple of things you should know before you book your flight and which you will need to remember on the day so that you can enjoy your journey without hiccups!

• The radiant heat from the burners can feel quite hot on top of the head, so please bring a cotton cap for protection
• No high heels or skirts
• You can purchase mounted in-flight photographs (size 25cm x 20cm, 10″x8″) after the flight
• Friends and family who are not flying are welcome to stay and watch the flight
• We can be restricted by weather – if there are poor weather conditions, you may need to choose an alternative flight date.
• We recommend that people are fit enough to climb in and out of the balloon basket and are able to stand for about an hour
• You must not fly if you are suffering from osteoporosis (brittle bones) or any serious medical condition or have recently undergone surgery, unless you have a certificate of your fitness to fly from your doctor. You must not fly if you are pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs

A first-time flight in a hot air balloon can make even the most brave a little apprehensive, but I can assure you that hot air balloon flights are very safe and accidents, extremely rare.  Your pilot will have flown hundred of times before and the pre-flight safety checks and brief will re-assure you that you will be safe, whilst experiencing a thrill like no other! 

After receiving your flight voucher, you will get to choose a fantastic location from a wide range of locations that Balloons over Britain and their partners operate.  On the day of your flight, you will meet your pilot and the ground crew at your specified launch site.  You will have the chance to help unpack and inflate the balloon then you will be given the safety briefing as, even though balloon flights are safe, safety still is a top priority!  After your safety briefing and the balloon has received pre-flight checks, you will all climb into the basket and prepare to take off into the unknown.

When the balloon takes off, you will experience the strange feeling of the ground just dropping away beneath you.  You will gently float on the breeze over beautiful countryside, spectacular cities, quaint villages and towns for around an hour, although it will seem like an eternity.  Then you will descend to your landing site where the ground crew await with a bottle of champagne and your very own commemorative flight certificate.  Now doesn’t that seem like fun?

So now that you have purchased your flight voucher from Balloons over Britain, what happens next?  You will need to contact your chosen Flight Operator to book you hot air balloon flight.  On the day of the flight, you will need to phone the Operator to confirm your flight.  If weather conditions are unsuitable, you will need to reschedule.  Once you arrive at the launch site, you will be greeted by our friendly ground crew and the balloon pilot. 

Next will come the saftey briefing, though you will have nothing to worry about anyway!  Balloon flights are incredibly safe and the briefing will help to reassure nervous passengers.  After the briefing, you will have the option to help inflate the balloon that you will be flying in.  It is spectacular to see the balloon inflate before your eyes.  You will be amazed at how big the balloon really is!  Once the balloon is inflated, you will climb into the basket and before you know it, the ground will be dropping away from you as the balloon calmly and peacefully floats higher and higher.  You will get to enjoy the flight of your life as you experience views like never before.  Your quiet and tranquil balloon flight will take you over beautiful landscapes, something you will never forget!

After flying for what seems an eternity, you will begin your descent back to the ground.  The ground crew will have followed you to your landing destination.  Upon landing, the basket may tip over but this adds to the fun and excitement of your flight.  After packing the balloon away you will return to the launch site where you will receive champagne to toast your flight of a lifetime and you will also be presented with a commemorative flight certificate. 

If you are yet to purchase a flight voucher, what are you waiting for?  Book now! 

For more information please contact us or request a brochure.