Frequently Asked Questions

Does Balloon Odyssey give Balloon Rides?
Yes.   We love to share ballooning with others.   Please see our balloon rides page for additional information.

How Do Balloons Fly?
Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer.    As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises.    As the air inside the balloon cools, it descends.    To fill the balloon and prepare it to fly, a portable inflator fan fills it with air, which is then heated using the burner attached to the top of the basket and controlled by the pilot.

Can You Steer a Balloon?
Balloons float on wind currents.    Balloonists can steer, to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon's altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions.    Generally speaking, in the northern hemisphere, a balloon can make a “right turn” as it ascends and a “left turn” as it descends.    This is due the Coriolis effect.

How Long Does a Balloon Flight Last?
The actual flight time averages about an hour.    The entire ballooning experience, including pre-flight preparation, flight and post-flight celebration, may take two to three hours.

What Fuel Do Balloons Use?
Sport hot-air balloons carry 20 to 45 gallons of propane in stainless steel fuel tanks.

How High Do Balloons Fly?
Balloons typically fly from treetop level all the way up several thousand feet, depending on what the pilot is trying to accomplish.    The world record in a specially-equipped hot air balloon is over 72,000 feet!    During most balloon rides, the balloon remains within 1,500 feet of the ground – close enough to view wildlife and maybe your neighborhood, and occasionally pluck a few leaves from the trees.

Why Do Balloons Fly In the Early Morning or Late Evening?
Winds are generally most favorable the first hours after sunrise and the last hours before sunset.    During the midday hours the sun's uneven heating of the earth's surface causes strong, variable winds and turbulence.    In the morning, it takes a few hours for the sun to heat the earth's surface enough to generate the thermal activity that creates wind.    In the evening, the sun's intensity has diminished enough to reduce winds to acceptable flight levels.   Ideal winds are 3 to 8 mph.

Who Can Be a Balloonist?
Balloon pilots come from all walks of life.    Anyone with the desire to learn to fly a balloon can become a pilot.   Balloon Odyssey, Inc. offers pilot instruction by a FAA certified instructor.

What Equipment is Required for Balloons?
Balloons include several parts:   The envelope (the fabric portion of the balloon), the basket, burners and fuel systems.    The material for Aerostar balloon envelopes is made of an exclusive Aerostar Diamond Weave (TM) ripstop nylon with tough, durable coatings for heat and air retention.

The basket is made of wicker, which is strong yet flexible and is aesthetically pleasing. Burners can come in either single, dual, or triple configurations, and each puts out over 5,000 horsepower.    Fuel systems consist of stainless steel propane tank(s) and fuel hoses.   Other necessary equipment includes an inflator fan, two-way radios, an aircraft radio and some means of transporting the balloon from home to launch site and back.

Do You Need a License to fly?
Yes – although actually what you must have to fly is a pilot certificate.   (A certificate is proof that a skill is obtained and recognized by a governing agency. In pilot lingo, it’s referred to as your “ticket.”)    There are two levels of balloon pilot ratings.    The first is a private pilot rating, where the pilot must have at least 10 hours of flight time in free balloons, which must include six flights under the supervision of an instructor.    The private pilot must pass a written test, an oral exam and a pilot proficiency check ride prior to being issued a private pilot's certificate.

The second rating is that of commercial pilot.    The commercial pilot must have at least 35 hours of flight time, of which at least 20 must be in balloons (the remaining 15 hours may be in other aircraft).    The pilot must pass an additional written test, an oral exam and a pilot proficiency check ride prior to being issued a commercial pilot's license.    The holder of a commercial pilot's license may operate a balloon for hire and may give flight instruction. For additional requirements on both ratings, please consult FAA regulation part 61 for details.

How Much Does a Balloon Cost?
Like cars and boats, new balloons can vary in size and amenities.    Smaller, “sport” models start at around $24,000.    These balloons typically carry a pilot and one or two additional people.    The larger balloons that can carry two or three passengers in addition to the pilot will range between $28,000 and $45,000.    Prices vary widely depending on the type of basket, burner, artwork and “extras” selected.    There are also good used balloons on the market that vary in price with size, age and flight hours.

How Can I Be Involved Without Buying a Balloon or Becoming a Pilot?
Most people learn the ropes by joining the crew of a local balloon pilot, assisting in flight preparation, following the balloon during flight, and helping in balloon recovery.   This includes the champagne celebration following each flight!    It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and make new friends.    We would love for you to join us.    Check our our crew page for details and get involved!

Another option is to join a local club that organizes races and community functions.    The Balloon Society of Kentucky (BSOK) is one such club.    Meetings are held once a month at Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky.    You can also join the Balloon Federation of America (BFA), which is the sanctioning body for the National Championships and is dedicated to promotion of the sport.    Contact Brian for additional information on how to get involved with either organization, or check out their websites at www.bsok.org and www.bfa.net.

Another great idea … the next time you see a balloon flying in your area, follow it and offer to help when it lands!