The Ultimate Gift

   A flight in a hot air   balloon is a 'never to   be forgotten   experience' and   whoever receives this   gift will have lasting   memories of a present   that will become a   talking point for many   years to come

 

SAFETY AND INSURANCE

Westcountry Ballooning operate within strict standards laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority and we are licensed by the Authority with a Public Transport Air Operators Certificate Number BL199. All our pilots hold commercial pilots licenses and we have £1,000,000 passenger and third party insurance cover, which is included in the price of your flight.

LAUNCH SITES

Launching from sites throughout Somerset, Devon and Dorset, Westcountry Ballooning can fly you across some of the best countryside in Britain. We can even take off from your own land if required, subject to a site visit prior to the flight date. Airbourne for approximately 1 hour we can promise you the experience of a lifetime and with the fun of helping with the inflation and deflation we can assure you a day to remember. The retrieve vehicle will collect you on landing and transport you back to the launch site. Friends and family are welcome to follow the retrieve vehicle pursuing the balloon.

THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS...

.. at the launch site when you meet the pilot and ground crew. Initially the ground crew will release a small helium filled balloon, to give an idea of wind speed and direction. If conditions are suitable to fly, the ground crew and pilot, along with the help of the passengers, begin to rig the basket. The basket is tethered to a vehicle by a strong rope and a device known as a quick release. The pilot now carries out some initial safety checks before moving on to the next stage.

The balloon envelope is connected to the basket which is then tipped onto its front. The balloon is pulled from its bag and stretched out to form its shape and is now readied for inflation. The mouth of the balloon is held open by the crew and willing volunteers and inflation can begin.
Firstly the balloon is filled with cold air and it is at this time that a sheet known as the 'parachute' is secured to the top of the envelope by velcro tabs. It is this 'parachute' that is used during flight to control descent by releasing the hot air and on landing to deflate the balloon. As the balloon starts to fill and after various checks, it is now time to hot inflate and the burners are fired up and the envelope starts to fill and lift to the vertical.
Once standing upright we are ready to fly and after more checks by the pilot the passengers are invited aboard. The 'burn' continues , the balloon lifts from the ground, the tether rope is released and the fun begins....