Children’s Hot Air Balloon Ride

After confirming your flight and providing all the necessary details, we meet at the launch base. If you wish, you are welcome to help with the balloon setup. The pilot will be with you throughout the preparation, happy to talk about hot air ballooning and answer all your questions. A short briefing will follow on how the balloon works, the flight itinerary, and the safety position to adopt for landing. If some friends want to watch your takeoff and landing, they are welcome to follow our chase vehicle that retrieves the balloon after landing.

Once airborne, only the wind will determine our direction. A hot air balloon cannot be steered; it follows the wind. Depending on the altitude, we may travel in a direction different from that of takeoff. The pilot ascends and descends to find the currents that will provide the most scenic flight. During the flight, the pilot will be happy to answer your questions and point out things you might not notice—and vice versa, such as deer, hares, pheasants, etc. Perhaps you spot something others have missed—share it! You are an active part of the flight, making it a moment of connection and emotion. The pilot will also give a brief reminder of the correct safety position for landing.

Once back on the ground, celebrate with a traditional glass of champagne. The pilot will find a suitable area for the balloon’s size—this could be a road, path, meadow, or uncultivated field that is easily accessible for the chase vehicles. IMPORTANT: upon landing, position yourself with your back to the landing direction in a “chair position” (as if sitting on a chair), holding the handles in front of you. It’s important to face opposite the direction of travel to avoid any risk if there is wind. Wait for the pilot’s permission before exiting the basket to avoid destabilizing the balloon. The basket may tilt slightly, this is normal if there’s some wind! The pilot will inform you if this is likely, adding a bit of suspense to the landing.