Since hot air balloons move with the air and are not directly steered by the pilot, the weather is a vital factor in making a decision on whether to fly or not. Before the launch, the pilot will be in contact with the weather service to find out about the wind conditions and climate around the proposed launch site.

Another consideration on the part of the pilot is ground conditions. Although not as important as the climate and wind conditions, if the ground is wet the basket might churn up the field on take-off and reduce the likelihood of the landowner giving you permission for further flights.

Hot air balloons need stable winds to operate efficiently and flights are made either early morning or evenings depending on the sunrise and sunset. At these times the weather is cooler and the balloon flies better due to the hot air producing more lift. It is not advisable to fly during the daytime, because as the earth heats up it produces thermal pockets of air that can cause turbulence when in a balloon.

The weather is always of the upmost importance, as storms are very hazardous for balloons with the possible threat of a lightning strike. Even rain is a problem, because it reduces visibility and damages the balloons fabric. Pilots tend to fly when the weather is near ideal and when the skies are clear and wind conditions are close to normal.

Hot air balloons have been used to advertise and promote thousands of products and services over the years, and are becoming an excellent addition to existing marketing campaigns. A hot air balloon not only attracts interest it also holds the attention of spectators. In addition to the six million people attending various ballooning events nationwide, the balloon will also carry the advert over the surrounding population, increasing the exposure even more.

With the introduction of computer aided design it has become easier and to create complex balloon shapes. These one-of-a-kind balloons are very cost effective and often have an impact that conventional advertising methods lack.

Ballooning is becoming more and more popular for corporate weekends and hospitality. Adventure Balloons are experts in this field, and combined with their 16 passenger basket offer a great day out for your employees or potential customers. For further information on exclusive flights or balloon sponsorship to raise your company’s profile click here.

Balloon races are popular all over the world, particularly during the summer months. Many people often ask how hot air balloons race. Balloons don’t ‘race’ in the normal sense of the word and it is not a case of first across the finish line wins.

Hot air balloon racing usually entails a range of strategic and complex tasks that the pilots must accomplish, normally consisting of dropping weights on pre-determined targets. Since the balloon simply drifts in the wind and balloon pilots do not have direct control over the direction that they fly in, many competition pilots have become very skilled in reading the winds to get them close to the targets.

A large fabric X about 50 foot in diameter is placed a few miles away from the launch site and the balloons take it in turns to take off, get as close to the target as possible and drop their marker. The closest marker achieves the highest score. The competition consists of numerous drops during the meet with the highest overall score declared the winner.

Hot air balloons work on the simple principal that warm air rises. Warm air is lighter than cooler air and when contained in the balloon or the envelope as it’s known in the business, it produces lift and thus propelling the balloon upwards. To ensure the balloon stays in the air it must be continuously heated using gas burners.

To move the balloon upwards the pilot uses the burners to deliver regular burst of fire to maintain a stable flight. As hot air rises very little of it is lost through the bottom of the envelope.

To bring the balloon downwards there is a valve at the top of the envelope called the parachute valve. The valve is a round piece of fabric connected to a chord which is runs down the centre of the balloon to the pilot. If the pilot wishes to decent they simply pull the chord to open the valve, letting the hot air escape and bringing the balloon downwards as the hot air cools. The balloon can also be brought back down by using the burners less frequently this has a similar effect to the parachute valve bringing the balloon to a gentle decent.

For more information about ballooning check out Adventure Balloons website.

Adventure Balloons offer unique vouchers meaning you can purchase all of our ballooning merchandise online. Adventure Balloons don’t just sell balloon flights; we like to encourage all people interested in ballooning to invest in our quality balloon products.
The range of ballooning merchandise is extensive, from Adventure Balloon rugby shirts to base ball caps and t-shirts all with the adventure balloons design displayed.
Perhaps your favourite drink is coffee, in which case the adventure balloons mug will be right up your street at an amazing low price. Why not remember your flight with us by purchasing an enamel ballooning badge.
Get fully conversant with balloons through a ballooning manual or balloon book. It’s the best way to learn before you embark on an adventure with us.

We have the perfect solution for you if you are running out of time to get that all important birthday gift or anniversary gift organised. Here are Adventure Balloons we have a wide range of Gift Vouchers available but how about an E-Voucher.

This is the perfect opportunity to get your gift delivered straight away and there is no need for you to leave the comfort of your home or office to find a good present. All you have to do is go to the special Hot Air Balloon Gift Voucher section and select the E-voucher. When you have chosen the value of the voucher, filled out all the required details, processed the payment, the gift voucher will be sent immediately by email to your chosen recipient.

What better way to send a wonderful surprise to someone.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see your home county in a hot air balloon? To be able to see your local town and communities from the air? Or have you just wanted to experience the sensation of taking off and floating calmly in a hot air balloon?

Adventure Balloons now take flights in Kent, which means that we are expanding out into and area near you. There are various start points in Kent for the journey, which mainly depends on the wind direction due to the proximity to Gatwick Airport and the Thames Coast line. Normally the flight would take off from the magnificent Hop Farm Country Park near Tunbridge Wells, but we have the reserve sites Lamberhurst Vineyard and Bewl Water in needed.

What better way to spend a morning that seeing Kent from the air, the spectacular Garden of England. Book now to go Ballooning in Kent

Adventure Balloon flights have been taking place in the Reading area for nearly two decades. We proudly announce that we are one of the only companies to fly from the parks within Reading. Once again, air ports in the area are a major consideration and we need to avoid Heathrow. The launch sites for ballooning in the Berkshire areas are Kings Meadow and Prospect Park. If the direction of the wind decides to play a big part on the particular balloon flight day the alternative launch site of Padworth Village will be used.

Country homes are often seen from the balloon flights in Berkshire, especially along the Thames where such prestigious properties as Hardwick House and Mapledurham are situated.

The visual attractions seen from the air on a balloon flight in Berkshire are outstanding and range from Beagle Park to Calcot Hotel.

Adventure Balloons like to offer you as many balloon flight experiences as possible. Our launch sites for the southern region ( South Hampshire) are Winchester, Alton, Popham and Micheldever.

For balloon flight safety we need to keep clear of Southampton airport. The sky high views of South Hampshire are truly stunning, the South Coast has so much to offer. Some of our most popular balloon flight views are Winchester Cathedral and Jane Austen’s House. Don’t forget the stunning views of the Isle of Wight too.

So many aerial attractions in the southern region of the UK will keep you entertained for hours. The Hampshire countryside is breath-taking, from steam railways to wonderful small villages like Whitchurch and Candovers. It’s not always easy to capture the full beauty of a place when you are walking round, but a balloon flight offers something unique, the ability to see things from a whole new perspective.

A balloon flight in South Hampshire will create a memory to cherish for a lifetime and we know from experience you will enjoy every minute of it.

What a very special way to celebrate a birthday. A balloon flight is memorable gift for anyone to receive but at Adventure Balloons we know that a Birthday occasion is very special. Our Happy Birthday balloon flight is certain to attract attention from onlookers and is the only happy birthday balloon operating in the UK.
Happy Birthday Balloons have been operating since the millennium and cater for 2-4 people exclusively for birthday groups. Due to popular demand we now have a new balloon which will take up to 16 people into the skies. This balloon trip applies to all passengers with both standard and weekday balloon vouchers.

Our staff are always on hand to make sure that your balloon flight is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Simply book balloon flights online today.