Hot Air Balloon Crew

It takes two or three people to help the pilot of the Hot Air Balloon rig the equipment, hold open the envelope while it fills with cold air, and then apply weight to the outside of the basket as needed before launch. Once the Balloon Ride is under way, the ground, or launch crew then follow the Hot Air Balloon on the ground to the place the pilot has chosen to land. After the landing they help the pilot pack everything up and bring it home again, without these wonderful volunteers Hot Air Balloon Rides just would not happen.

It is great fun but it can be hard but often rewarding work as many professional Balloon Ride operators in the UK pay the crew, others offer free rides or even lessons. Crewing is a great way to learn about the sport following which maybe you could start formal training and become a pilot yourself.