Are you stuck for ideas on how to entertain your children, or your visitors this summer holiday? Maybe you can’t afford to go away on holiday this year but would like to create a memory for the family, something to get excited about, to talk about back at work or school? Well imagine the exhilaration of a hot air balloon ride? On most people’s ’10 Things to do Before I Die’ list, hot air ballooning will certainly add a sense of fun and adventure to your holiday season, plus you’ll find the build up to the big event almost as intense as the ride!

Adventure Balloons specialise in their wonderful talent of making their customers enjoy their day to the max. Our crew encourages passengers to get involved in the whole process from inflating the balloon to deflating it and we talk you thorough every step. We even reward our customers with a flight certificate, in flight photographs and a wonderful complimentary champagne toast at the end! We have a reputation for friendliness and are frequently complimented on our pilot skills at making the passengers feel comfortable, safe and maximising the fun.

Many people like to gain some kind of insight into what ballooning is like and find that our website is very thorough. We have many in flight photographs for you to view, customer testimonials and in depth write up’s of what to expect. You can even take a look at our ballooning videos which give you the best possible glimpse into hot air ballooning. Take a look at this London flight video for example.

You can make bookings on line, by e-mail or by phone – 01252 844222 and bookings can be made for a variety of different popular locations; Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, London, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Micheldever, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex.

Enjoy a day to remember with Adventure Balloons – the largest hot air balloon company in the UK since 1985!

Most balloons have a crew of between 3 to 6 people and these crews are volunteers, which mean that they do not get paid. For most of us, it is a hobby and it is one way that we work off the stresses of the week, and get together to have a good time with an ever changing hobby. It is not unusual to find that a balloon crew is quite literally a family affair, balloonist personal are just one big happy family.

With our crews you will find that we come in all shapes and sizes: singles, married, together with entire families. Pick any combination of these types of folks, and they are with us too. Age is no barrier to hot air ballooning it’s not unusual to find folks well into their 80’s still enjoying the sport. The only special skill needed for the balloon ground crew is a willingness to learn and ask questions. Some tasks require a fair amount of physical strength, but don’t worry, there are even more tasks that do not. Contact us if you are interested, but first try out a balloon ride first; we think you will be back.

You have seen them fly and if you are the lucky one you may have had the thrill of flying in one of Adventure Balloons exciting hot air balloons. In either case you will have seen lots of people getting the hot air balloon ready for its flight, some can be the passengers of course as they are encouraged to join in the whole experience. Most balloon crews are between 3 and 6 people. For most it is a hobby, how we work off the stresses of the week, and get together to have a good time with an ever-changing hobby.

A balloon crew is literally a family affair; they come in all shapes and sizes: singles, married, entire families can be found. Pick any combination of these types of folks, and you will find them. If you are interested, contact us and we will put you in the picture, no special skill is needed although some tasks require a fair amount of physical strength, but don’t worry, there are even more tasks that do not.

Have you ever wanted to have a job that involves you being in the outdoors during the summer? Then why not apply to become a member of the Adventure Balloons balloon crew. With 25 years of passenger balloon flight experience, Adventure Balloons provides flights from numerous sites throughout the Home Counties and London, as well as new launch sites in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

Because of the seasonal nature of ballooning coupled with the company expanding, there are a number of vacancies for full and part-time balloon crew members every year. This work will suit practical outdoor enthusiasts, who are physically fit and have good communication skills as you will have to liaise with both passengers and land owners.

Applicants are required to be over 25 and must have 3 years clean license, as well as experience driving minibuses, 4X4 vehicles and trailers. The ability to map read is recommended but not essential.

The balloon season usually runs from the end of March to October, but this will depend on the weather and ground conditions and there are numerous job opportunities during the season. Balloon crew job applicants must be reliable and willing to work on weekends and weekday evenings as required.

To apply to become a part of the balloon crew, send your CV to sales@adventureballoon.co.uk

The balloon crew are an integral part of a hot air balloon flight, making sure that the balloon is properly inflated, launches correctly and helping the pilot to navigate and land safely. There are many tasks which the balloon crew must complete to ensure a safe flight for both the pilot and there passengers.

Inflating and launching the balloon – there are two main positions that the balloon crew take for launching a hot air balloon; these are called the crown line and the throat. The crown line usually consists of one person, who acts as an anchor and stabilises the balloons envelop during the inflation process. Once the balloon is inflated enough the pilot will gather the crown line and ties it to the balloons basket.

The throat consists of two of more members of the balloon crew, who hold open the mouth of the envelope as the hot air is pumped in. Once the balloon is inflated and starts to come into an upright position, the balloon crew members will place weight onto the basket until all the lines are secured.

Chasing the balloon – Once the balloon has been launched, the balloon crew will load up the vehicles and chase the balloon. The balloon crew will navigate for the driver to ensure that they stay ahead of the balloon and will also assist the pilot as they come in to land.

Landing the hot air balloon – When the pilot is ready to land, the balloon crew will advise them on the best area and one member will try to locate the land owner to ask for permission. When the balloon comes in to land the crew member position themselves on either side of the basket and help to weigh the balloon down once it hits the floor. The balloon is then deflated and packed away.

Once the balloon has been packed away, the pilot, passengers and crew will take part in the certificate ceremony, where the traditional champagne toast is performed for another successful balloon flight.

Fancy doing something completely different this summer? Why not join one of our balloon crews, which fly from over 30 locations in the South East of England. Adventure Balloons operating bases are situated in Hartley Wintney and Hemel Hempstead and cover all of our passenger balloon flights in Surrey, Oxford, Berkshire and London.

To become a part of the balloon crew, you must be happy working outdoors, be physically fit and have good communication skills. Training is provided, but it would be helpful if you had competence with driving 4X4’s with trailers and Minibuses and have basic map reading skills; applicants must be over 25 and have 3 years clean license.

The balloon season generally runs from April to October depending on the weather, and there will be opportunities for employment throughout the balloon season. Applicant must be reliable and able to work on weekends and on occasions weekday evenings.

There will be a fixed weekly rate for balloon crew work plus a bonus scheme and there is also additional hurly paid work for promotional and support work. To apply for a role on one of our balloon crews, send you C.V. to: sales@adventureballoons.co.uk

The weather is the most important factor when deciding to launch a hot air balloon. As a balloon moves with the wind and is not steered directly by the pilot, the wind speed must be measured before launch. Good visibility is also key, as the pilot needs to be able to see any hazards that can compromise the balloon.

Storms and rain will prevent a hot air balloon from launching, as the lack of visibility and the risk of a lightning strike are increased and can damage the balloons material.

Before launching any hot air balloon, the pilot will check the local weather to find out if the forecast climate and wind speeds are ideal; this is done by keeping in touch with the local weather service, who will relay real-time forecasts to the pilot and balloon crew.

The hot air balloon will usually be launched early in the morning or close to sunset, as the winds are more stable and the climate is cooler; this helps the balloon and provides greater lift when the hot air is pumped into it.

A pilot will only fly a hot air balloon if the weather is ideal; this ensures the safety of the pilot and passengers as well as the balloon and balloon crew.

For anyone who has a fascination with hot air balloons, joining a balloon crew is one of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs and a great introduction to ballooning. Before joining a balloon crew, you should know about the different positions and tasks involved in launching and landing a hot air balloon.

The first of these positions is the crown line. The pilot will usually choose a strong individual for this task as they will act as an anchor and use a rope to stabilise the balloon as it is inflated. Once the balloon is inflated the rope is then connected to the balloon basket.

The throat consists of up to three of the balloon crew members holding the throat of the balloon open as it inflates. The balloon is first inflated with cool air and then the air is heated with the balloons burners. The crew members will hold the throat open till the balloon starts to come upright and then place their weight on the balloon basket as it stands.

Once the balloon is launched, the chase crew loads up the remaining items and follows the balloon. The chase crew will try to stay as close as they can to the hot air balloon so they can assist the pilot whilst landing.

The landing of the balloon will involve the whole balloon crew, with one of them trying to locate the landowner to ask permission to land. Once the all clear has been given and the balloon comes in to land the crew position themselves on each side of the balloon, adding additional weight to the balloon and stopping it. The balloon is then packed away and loaded onto the chase vehicles and another successful balloon flight is concluded with soft drinks, champagne and certificate presentations.

Adventure Balloons is the leading balloon flight company in the Home Counties and London, and offers balloon flights from a range of unique launch sites throughout the South East of England.

Have you caught the ballooning bug? Then why not join one of our balloon crews and make the most of those summer months. Because ballooning is seasonal and normally runs between March and November, we generally have vacancies every year for both full time and part time balloon crew operatives.

Being a part of our balloon crew is especially suitable for outdoor types; you must be physically fit, and have good communication skills as you will be dealing with customers and land owners. Experience with Minibuses and 4×4’s would also be helpful, as well as map reading abilities and you must be over 25 and have at least 3 years clean driving licence.

Full time crew will receive a fixed weekly wage and there is also additional hourly paid work for support and promotional work. If you would like to know more about becoming a part of the balloon crew visit the Adventure Balloons website.

The weather is the most important consideration to think of when deciding whether or not to launch a hot air balloon. Because the balloon moves with the wind and is not directly controlled by the pilot, the climate and wind conditions are closely monitored by both the balloon crew and pilot.

The pilot will only fly when the conditions are right; to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight for the passengers the pilot will be in constant contact with the weather service in case the weather conditions change.

A hot air balloon needs a stable wind to fly efficiently; this is why a balloon flight will take place first thing in the morning or just before sunset as the weather conditions are more stable. The balloon also flies better in the cooler temperatures during these times, as the hot air provides greater lift to the balloon.

Visibility is also a factor when launching and flying a hot air balloon. It is unlikely that a flight will take place in foggy or misty conditions and even rain can ground a balloon flight if visibility is poor.