Archive for August, 2008

About hot air balloons - The Burners

The burners are like the engine room of a hot air balloon, they shoot hot air into the balloon envelope, which makes the hot air balloon rise. There are various types of balloon burners such as single, double, triple and quad burners that are used depending on the size and weight of the balloon.

Modern balloon burners use propane as the fuel because it has much more efficient fuel consumption than many other types of fuel. The propane is stored as a liquid in metal cylinders inside the balloons basket and is connected to the burner with a durable metal tube. As the burner is ignited it heats the metal tube slightly changing the liquid propane into a gas, this produces a more powerful flame and helps the hot air balloon to rise efficiently.

Once the balloon envelope is filled with the hot air, it is time to rise up into the sky and enjoy the Birdseye view of the surrounding landscape.

Balloon flights in the heart of Hertfordshire

A hot air balloon flight is an ideal present to give to a loved one for a birthday, wedding anniversary, special occasion or just to say thank you. With over 20 years experience and 10 launch sites throughout the Home Counties and London, Adventure Balloons has the expertise to make it a day you’ll never forget.

Adventure Balloons offers a range of balloon flights in Hertfordshire, from its unique launch sites in Stevenage, Watford and Hemel Hempstead. To provide passengers with a secure and pleasurable flight, care must be taken to keep the hot air balloon away from Luton Airport’s airspace so the launch site will be chosen by the win direction on the day. Ariel attractions in Hertfordshire include Hatfield House and the stunning London Skyline.

Adventure Balloons offer a range of booking options including online booking, booking by post and booking over the telephone, so why not book your hot air balloon ride in Hertfordshire today!

About hot air balloons – The envelope

The main body of a hot air balloon is often referred to as the Balloon Envelope and is made from hundreds of different panels called gores. Although comprising of hundreds of gores, the balloon envelope has three distinct sections, the bottom or skirt, the middle, and the top which is also known as the Hyperlast.

The bottom of the envelope or skirt is the closest to the balloons burners and is made from a heat resistant fabric called Nomex. This fabric is the standard used in most hot air balloon envelopes and is flame and heat resistant. Nomex is also used in a range of high-temperature applications such as NASCAR racing and for firefighters clothing.

The biggest part of the envelope, which consists of the bottom two thirds, is made up of a combination of polyester and nylon. The fabric is tightly woven and is virtually air tight; this allows the balloon to fill with air to provide lift. Polyester and nylon are used because they are very light and durable and both have a high melting temperature, making it ideal for the envelopes structure.

The top third of the hot air balloon is called the Hyperlast and is made from a heavier nylon yarn. This makes the Hyperlast extremely strong. Added to this section is a special silicone coating that protects the balloon from mould and fungi growth.

Purchasing a hot air balloon voucher

With nearly half of Adventure Balloons customers coming from personal recommendations, you can be sure that booking a hot air balloon flight with us will give you the most exciting experience of your life.

Even better, Adventure Balloons have now taken £20 off their weekday and standard balloon vouchers making it even easier to take to the sky in a hot air balloon. Booking your flight has also been revamped, so you can order online through the website, download a printable booking sheet or order over the phone effortlessly.

The balloon flight will last for around 3 to 4 hours including balloon preparation and champagne reception, with an air time of an hour. Prices are £125 per person for flights in the Home Counties, £185 per person for London flights and a birthday balloon ride for up to 4 people is £500-£750 depending on location and the number of people. So why delay, book you’re once in a lifetime experience today.

Hot air balloon rides in South Hampshire

A hot air balloon ride is one of the most exciting experiences you can have, whether you have been given it as a gift or have purchased it yourself, you will never forget the thrills of floating high above the English countryside with only the wind to guide you.

Being one of the most popular passenger balloon operators in the UK, Adventure Balloons have hot air balloon rides from over 10 locations in the Home Counties and London, including South Hampshire. With Adventure Balloons exclusive launch sites in Alton, Popham and Windchester there are spectacular South Coast views to be seen and even the Isle of Wight on a clear day.

Making sure to keep clear of Southampton Airport, and to provide a safe and pleasurable ride the launch site will be chosen depending on the wind speed and direction on the selected day. During a balloon ride in South Hampshire, the passengers can also expect to see Winchester Castle, the River Test, Mid Hants Steam Railway and the extraordinary Hampshire countryside.

Hot Air Balloon Flights in Africa

Safari’s in Africa have always been popular with tourists, but becoming more and more popular is the hot air balloon safari, which not only gives the tourists an astonishing view of the African landscape, it also gives a unique perspective of the wildlife in and around the national game parks.

During the English wintertime when it is not possible to fly a hot air balloon in the UK, many pilots go to work on hot air balloons in Kenya. This not only provides them an understanding of various weather conditions, it also gives them the experience of flying somewhere new.

Balloon flights in Kenya are predominately made during the morning, as afternoon and evening flights are not possible because of high winds. It also gets dark quickly and this can cause problems when trying to land.

There can be up to 4 balloons taking off at the same time and each balloon can carry 12 passengers or more. The launching of the balloon is the same as in the UK; first the weather is checked to see if it is suitable to fly, the balloon crew prepares the balloon, final checks are made and the balloon is launched.

The balloon flight will typically last for about an hour, depending on the weather and gives the passengers an unforgettable view of the African landscape and of course the wildlife and gives ample opportunities to photograph the stunning scenery to treasure for years to come.

Birthday Balloon Flights

Many people purchase a hot air balloon flight or balloon voucher as a birthday present for a partner or loved one, and what better way to celebrate this special day than with a balloon with happy birthday written on it.

Adventure Balloons Happy Birthday Balloon features the same stained glass colour scheme as the rest of their balloons, only it’s a little smaller and capable of taking up to 4 passengers for a more intimate flight.

Adventure Balloons can also fly from your own location, providing there is adequate space for a balloon launch and no airspace restrictions.

For more information and prices visit the Adventure Balloons website or call 01252 844222 for an individual quote.

One-man balloons and hopper balloons

A one-man balloon or hopper balloon as they are commonly known are small hot air balloons that usually hold one person in a seat and harness similar to a parachute harness. The hopper balloon is typically flown for recreational purposes, but some companies use them for advertising as they are quicker to launch and cheaper to run than conventional hot air balloons.

Hopper balloons are generally smaller than commercial hot air balloons and range from 14,000 to 35,000 cubic feet. These balloons normally have a flight time of around 1.5 hours, though this depends and the weather conditions.

The hoppers seat has a steel frame around it where the propane tank is fitted; the burner is also located on the frame above the pilots head. The burner works in the same way as a commercial balloon, with the controls mounted on the bottom of the burner. The seat, harness and frame can be moved independently of the balloons envelope; this allows the pilot to swivel to any direction they need, to aid in flying and landing of the hot air balloon.

Adventure Balloon Rides in Berkshire

Adventure Balloons is one of the biggest passenger balloon companies in the UK and flies from numerous launch sites over the Home Counties and London, including balloon flights in Berkshire from its unique launch sites in Reading and near Padworth Village.

Since 1990, Adventure Balloons has had the exclusive rights to fly from Reading’s Parks, giving passengers a unique view of villages and towns along the River Thames including Henley on Thames, Streatley and Wokingham, boats travelling along the river and fantastic views of Reading Football Club’s ground, the Madjeski Stadium.

There are some considerations to take when flying from Prospect Park or Kings Meadow in Reading, namely avoiding Heathrow Airport airspace, so if the wind direction is unfavourable then the flight will launch from an alternative site in Padworth Village to the west of Reading.

Uniquely Shaped Balloons

Ballooning has become more and more popular over the past 30 years, mainly due to the experience of floating high up in the sky but also due to the cost dramatically falling. The hot air balloon is not only used for commercial use but also by hobbyists and as advertising platforms.

Since the introduction of new technologies and materials, hot air balloon designers and manufacturers have been creating more elaborate and complicated balloon shapes to their customers requirements; assisted by computer aided design.

The initial design is created on the computer and is then sent to the customer for approval. Once the design has been approved, the template is then cut out onto special non-rip fabric using a large computer controlled cutting table. Then the template is sent to the sewing department and sewn together using special stitches designed for their strength and stability. The envelope is sent for final assembly where it is roguishly tested and once this is complete the balloon is then sent to the customer.

A perfect place to see hot air balloons is at a balloon festival, where you will see lots of wonderfully shaped balloons in lots of various sizes.