Hot Air Balloon FAQ's
CAN FRIENDS & FAMILY COME TO WATCH?
Friends and family are very welcome to come and watch your take-off. If they want to wait for your return, our farm shop is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm and there are some great footpaths through the farm and beyond
HOW LONG IS THE FLIGHT?
The actual flight is approximately one hour depending on weather conditions and suitable landing sites
HOW LONG IS THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE?
Please allow up to four hours for the whole experience which includes tea, coffee & pastries on arrival, your pilot’s safety briefing, preparing the balloon (optional participation), the flight, packing away (optional participation), transportation back to The Wild Pig and a glass of celebratory Champagne
WHAT TIMES DO WE FLY?
Sunrise flights take-off approximately one hour after sunrise. Sunset flights take-off approximately three hours before sunset
WHAT TIME DO WE NEED TO ARRIVE?
At least one hour before take-off. The exact time will be advised when you phone to confirm the status of your flight
WHERE WILL WE FLY?
Hot air balloons travel where the wind takes them. Our super-experienced pilot will control the altitude by heating the air inside the balloon, but the balloon cannot be steered in any particular direction. This is the same for distance – it depends on wind speed
WHERE DO WE LAND?
Wherever the wind takes us! Our pilot will choose a safe landing site about 15 minutes before landing, and our ground crew will arrive shortly after to drive you back to The Wild Pig
WHAT IS THE LANDING LIKE?
It’s exciting! You will be in the seated landing position within the leather padded basket prior to landing to ensure your safety. We usually feel a moderate impact as the basket lands. Occasionally the basket can tip and slide on the ground before stopping, but don’t worry, this is completely fine and our balloon & basket are designed for your comfort and safety.
WHAT TO WEAR?
Please wear warm, comfortable layers as the temperature can get cool at 2,000 ft. Comfortable flat shoes (no flip flops, open toe sandals or high heels). And bring a hat or cap to protect your head from the burners. We might need to walk through a muddy field after landing so please dress appropriately.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN THE BALLOON?
We have one of the largest balloons and baskets in the UK that is designed to carry up to 22 people, however, we choose to limit capacity to 10-16 passengers for your enjoyment. The basket is split into 4 compartments which allows everyone to have plenty of space
ONCE I BOOK, HOW DO I CHANGE MY FLIGHT
You can reschedule your flight booking once with minimum seven days notice. Sorry but if you try to reschedule with less than seven days notice your payment and booking will be subject to forfeiture unless there are justificatory pertinent circumstances. Payments for bookings and gift vouchers are non-refundable. It is important to note that hot air ballooning is completely reliant on perfect weather conditions so cancellations due to unsafe flying conditions are not unusual. If we cancel your flight due to safety reasons you can reschedule your flight free of charge
FLIGHT STATUS
Our flight information telephone number is 07522 179 535. You need to telephone this number to confirm the status of your flight. For sunrise (morning) flights you need to phone at 10.30pm the night before your flight. For sunset (afternoon/evening) flights, you need to phone at 1pm on the day of your flight. When you phone please listen to the entire message. If the weather forecast is suitable and there are no unforeseen circumstances, the message will confirm your flight, arrival time and take off time. If the weather forecast is deemed unsuitable by our pilot or there are unforeseen circumstances that do not allow us to fly, the message will cancel your flight for safety reasons – but don’t worry, if your flight is cancelled you can re-schedule. If you paid via telephone you will be given a flight credit for two years. If we cancelled your flight within three months of your gift voucher’s expiry date, we will extend your expiry, giving you an additional six months to book.
CAN ANYONE FLY?
Everyone’s well-being is crucial, so we need to have some safety restrictions…. Passengers must be able to stand unassisted for at least an hour, be able to bend your knees to take the seated landing position, follow all instructions given by the pilot and react quickly in the unlikely event of an emergency. Minimum age requirement is ten years and children under sixteen must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Minimum height requirement is 4’8″ (146cm). The maximum height is 6’8” (203cm). The maximum weight is 130kgs. This experience is not suitable for pregnant women. Passengers must be sure they do not have any pre-existing or current medical conditions which could be affected by a hot air balloon flight including but not exclusively recent major surgery. Nobody under the influence of alcohol is permitted to fly. It is the pilot’s decision on the day to allow or deny any participation in the flight
HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT MY FLIGHT WILL GO AHEAD?
While we would love for everybody to have a successful flight on their first attempt (and many lucky people do!) it is not unusual to have your flight rebooked several times before achieving a successful flight due to the weather dependant nature of ballooning in the UK. But don’t worry, you can keep rebooking until we get you onto a successful flight!
WHY CAN RAIN AND WIND AFFECT A BALLOON RIDE?
Hot air balloons need hot air to ascend. But if rain cools the air in the balloon, the burner has to work harder to keep it hot. This not only uses more fuel but also makes the balloon's elevation harder to control, which is not safe. In terms of wind, hot air balloons are like giant sails in the sky. They catch even moderate winds easily and can be blown off course. But they also need some wind to move forward. Too much wind is unsafe and too little wind means no travel.
WHY WAS MY FLIGHT CANCELLED EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER IS NICE?
The weather on the ground doesn't always match the conditions in the air. Even a sunny day can mean strong winds up there. Our pilots keep a close eye on aerial weather as well as ground weather for your safety and enjoyment.
WHY WAS MY FLIGHT CANCELLED WHEN I SAW OTHER BALLOONS FLYING THAT DAY?
Our pilot's choice to fly is independent of other balloonists' decisions. They prioritize your safety and consider various weather factors. Other balloons may have had advantages on that day, such as better conditions in their launch areas, private status with different regulations, or smaller size, which can impact their ability to fly and safely land in certain conditions.
By purchasing and / or booking a flight you agree to these important safety requirement
