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Scenic Wind Balloon Tours
Contact us:
(call or text) 402-981-2048
E-mail:
Steve@scenicwindballoons.com |
Q: How
much does a
flight cost?
A: Flights are $325 for AM, $385 for PM flights per person.
Cash or check only at time of flight. Sorry, we do not currently take
any credit/debit cards or cash apps.
Q: Do I need
to put down
a deposit
when I book
a ride?
A:
No, you can pay for your ride at the time of the flight by cash or
personal check.
Q: When is the best time of year to call and schedule a ride?
A: January to June is the best time to call.
Q: Can I call July to September and schedule a ride?
A: Probably not as we are trying to reschedule as many passengers
who have had their ride canceled or postponed due to weather.
Q: How often do rides get cancelled/postponed?
A: Fairly often, We like to be safe and try to fly on only the best
weather days.
Q: Can I schedule a ride and schedule a backup date?
A: Yes, Many people will schedule 2 or 3 backup dates.
Q: How early should I schedule my ride?
A: As soon as you have a date(s) in mind! Our calendar fills
fast, (usually by end of June we are full for the year) so the more notice you can give us, the better. We start
taking reservations for current year on Jan.1st. Please also note:
If YOUR date plans change please call ASAP.Q: If I book a flight what should I expect?
A: Our pilot takes scheduling according to dates you’d like, a day
or so before the flight he will contact you with whether the weather
looks good or not and an expected meet time. Prior to the flight the
launch site will be set and confirmed with the passengers. Passengers
will need to meet at the balloon vehicle and sign the waivers. (If you
would like a copy sent to you in advance, please let us know when you
schedule your flight). At the launch
site the crew will unpack the balloon from the trailer, using 1 or 2 fans pack the horizontal envelope with
ambient air, then the pilot will turn on the burners and begin heating the air, as
the envelope rises the basket becomes vertical. The passengers get in and with
the pilot begin their ascent to an awesome experience.
Q: What time do we meet for the morning flight?
A: Usually 15 minutes before sunrise
Q: What time do we meet for the evening flight?
A: Usually 2 hours before sunset
Q: Where
will we launch from?
A: The launch site is determined by the
forecast wind directions and where that will take us to. We would like to
make your trip scenic yet not take us in a direction that would limit
landing spots. We have several spots around town that we like to use.
It does not
need to be
at an
airport, a
large open
area free of
obstruction
will work.
Q: Where will we land?
A: Mother Nature plays a big role in this, at take off the pilot
only knows the direction that will being going he will be looking for
landing spots from the air as the flight progresses.
Although mowed grass is preferred sometimes it's the middle of a field
or near the side of the road, etc. The “chase crew” has radio
contact with the balloon and will try to be in the vicinity when the
pilot finds the spot he wants to land at. They will then help with the
pack up.
Q: What time of day can we fly?
A:
In the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area the air is most stable at sunrise
or an hour or so before sunset. Meet times are generally 15 minutes before sunrise and
about 2 hours before sunset so we can enjoy the calmer winds for launch
and landings.
Q: What
should I wear?
A:
The
temperature
does not
change much
from the
ground to
the height
of flight so
we recommend
that you
wear
comfortable
clothes or
layers of
clothes
suitable for
the current
weather. We
do suggest
that you
wear sturdy
closed toe
shoes and
longer pants
for your
safety upon
the landing.
Bringing a
camera or
video camera
is also
suggested.
For those
taller
folks, with
some
sensitivity
to heat near
your head,
we suggest
that you
wear a
fitted cap
of some sort
as there is
some radiant
heat
downward
from the
onboard
propane
powered
burners.
Q: How long does the whole “tour”
take?
A: We like to figure that from unpacking the balloon,
inflation, flight, pack up & return to launch site can take usually
2-21/2 hours but maybe up to 3
hours, a lot depends on how far the wind takes the balloon. Ground
transportation back sometimes is quite longer than the “how the crow flies”
path the balloon took.
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Springfield
sunrise |
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Q: Can I go for a flight in any season? A: We
generally late March through late September. Each season having its unique qualities
and can all be quite scenic. Please call for off season flight availability.
Q: It's a beautiful day...why did the pilot call and
say it's not flyable? A: Hot Air balloons are dependent on the wind speed
for flight. Generally pilots do not like to launch in ground winds or gusts
greater than 7 MPH some pilots even have a lower speed they feel comfortable
with. Forecasted ground speeds at expected time of landing also play in a
pilots decision to fly or not on a particular day. Upper winds speeds also
have to be considered and at what level the higher wind speeds begin. For
example: if the 100 ft winds are greater than 12 mph and the balloon stands at
70 ft high, that doesn't leave much room to before more dangerous winds could
occur.
Q: Can if be too hot to fly?
A: Yes, definitely as the air inside the envelope has to be warmer
than the outside air for flight. Trying to fly in too high of temps or
humidity causes risk to, people and equipment.
Q: Is it safe? A: Hot air ballooning is
the safest form of aviation. The pilot is an FAA licensed Commercial pilot and
well as the aircraft being, FAA registered and annually inspected by a certified
inspection station. The inspector does a series of test to make sure that it is
kept to strict standards of airworthiness.
Q: How many people can go for a ride? A:
Our largest system is rated for 7 passengers plus pilot but a lot depends on the outside air
temperature. The air in the top of the balloon has to heated to a temperature
hot enough to make the balloon rise, so in warmer we may only carry 4
passengers, as less
weight can be carried in the basket.
Q: Why can the pilot not tell me where we are launching
from when I call for a reservation? A: Different layers of air have
different speeds and directions. The pilot will determine the expected
launch site based on the forecasted direction of the wind within a few hours of
the flight time. It is generally not a good idea to float over the main
areas of Omaha or Council Bluffs as landing spots are limited and being in the
flight path of the Eppley or Offutt's air traffic is not something that we would
like to do on a regular basis. If you would like to fly over a certain
area please discuss this when you make your reservation. We use several
spots around the area to launch, all make for nice scenic flights.
Q: What is the balloon made of ? A: The envelope
itself is made of rip-stop nylon or a coated polyester similar to parachute material. The basket is
made of wicker, with wood flooring, metal tubing underneath to which the
“uprights” connect to the burner and a number of cables running the height of
the
envelope. The envelope has a parachute top which is used for altitude control,
inflation and deflation. The double burners onboard are fueled by propane and are capable of putting out 25 million BTU’s of heat an
hour, each.. The pilot also has onboard an altimeter, variometer, pyrometer as well as
a GPS and 2 way radio.
Q: What happens if a bird flies into the balloon?
A: Balloons are large enough that most birds avoid them. The envelope fabric
is tight and tough enough that a bird would most likely just bounce right off.
The balloon manufacturer has performed many tests for its durability. It is
possible to fly a balloon with a medium hole in the fabric as long as it's
below the center point or equator of the balloon.
Q:
"I don't like heights" so how could I experience
flight? A: Most people's dislike for heights is more of a fear of falling or
"the sudden stop at bottom", in a balloon the feeling is very different from
climbing a ladder as you are standing on a solid surface of the gondola floor
with it's sides waist high. So while you drift with the wind you can look
around you and don't really have the shaking or rocking feeling of a
ladder or a Ferris-wheel.
Q: Do passengers ever get motion sickness? A: As
the balloon is moving with the speed of the wind there is very little feeling of
motion in the balloon.
There is no
sensation of
movement or
speed like a roller
coaster as the only
"motor" is the
onboard heater
controlled by the
pilot to
change in altitude. So motion sickness has not been an issue.
Q: My Children just love balloons, can they go?
A: Yes, if they are at least 7 years of age and are more than 48" tall.
We also asked that they be of a social age that they realize they will be
standing in the basket for 45 minutes or longer and the pilot cannot just land
when they are bored. Please note that aviation industry and insurance
company considers them the same as any other person, so we do not offer
discounts for children.
Q: May I bring my camera or a water bottle on board with me?
A: Yes, please do bring your camera. Please have all beverages in
spill resistant containers.
Q: What happens after we land?
A: Pilot will make sure fuel is turned off and advise as to how you should
exit the basket. The crew will deflate the envelope, pack it away.
Then we will have a short ceremony for our passengers and then get everyone
transported back to the launch area.
Contact us: phone or text:
402-981-2048
E-mail:
Steve@scenicwindballoons.com
