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▣ How High, How Long, How Far?

posted by AmericanBalloon on July 14th, 2010 at 6:40 PM

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How High?

I joined the Balloon Federation of America's "Two Mile High Club" with a sunset flight May 10, 1972. Unlike another altitude-based "Club" the only requirement was to document actually going that high. An airline pilot-friend proposed the flight and I thought it would be fun. I noted in my log book it took us thirty minutes to get up there, that it was about twenty-five degrees cooler and it took another twenty-five minutes to get back on the ground. The view was spectacular, but we were moving so slow there wasn't even a visual sensation of motion. It felt like standing on a very high platform in the sky.

It is amazing how high hot air balloons can fly. The current altitude record of 69,850 feet was established November 26, 2005. It you want to keep breathing and not explode, it's a good idea to carry oxygen and pressurize the cabin when you want to fly really high.

On a clear day we can go high enough to see New York City and Philadelphia; Or we can fly low enough to pick a leaf off a tree. But the very unique perspective we get from a balloon is more enjoyable flying lower. As soon as you break loose from the ground, any physical sense of motion is gone and the only way you can tell your moving is with your eyes. And what a view it is! Everywhere you look you see things and the feeling is very much like you're scuba diving over the ground.

How Long?

An average flight is about an hour give or take. Many factors affect time aloft and every flight is different. On a hot day it takes more fuel to fly so we start looking for a place to land a bit earlier. On a morning flight it's best to get in the air shortly after sunrise and down about an hour later when the air is still stable and winds are light. People ask me what's the longest flight I've ever had so I'm glad I did a nine hour, thirty-two minute record flight for my first corporate account in 1973. It gives me something to talk about! (see the Thermogas Balloon on our Corporate page).

How Far?

The distance we travel depends on the speed of the surface winds and whatever the wind speeds are at the various altitudes we may choose to fly at. Usually wind are stronger the higher you go. On a sunrise flight surface winds are usually light so if we fly low we move slowly. If we rise up to say a thousand feet we will change direction and pick up speed. On many flights we may only go a few miles and others can be up to fifteen miles or more if we get into faster moving air. When we inflate we use a fan to fill the balloon with air. Then we heat that air to stand it up-right. If winds on the surface are eight mile an hour or more, they're likely to be fifteen or more at the tree tops; and that's too strong to fly. With such winds the balloon can scoop and become sail-like, causing it to drag across the ground and possibly into trees.

By the way, on my record flight in 1973 I took off in very light winds two hours before sunrise, traveled about 190 miles and landed in twenty mile an hour winds. Like I say, something to talk about.

Tom Oerman Pilot/Director

American Balloon

▣ Winter Flying

posted by AmericanBalloon on March 1st, 2010 at 5:30 PM

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Some winters are mild and others aren't. When it comes to ballooning 2010 has been a tough one. One potent weather system after the other has blown through allowing very few days suitable for flying. The key weather conditions for ballooning are light winds and stable air for the time periods most likely for these conditions to occur; early morning just before sunrise and a good hour plus before sunset. The intensity of the lows marching by has keep our winds howling, often for days in a row. And one storm after another has left us with a continuing snow cover that also makes it difficult to fly. Prior to flight we must lay-out the the balloon on the launch field. If the field is covered in deep snow its possible to get our Chase vehicle stuck. Our Chase vehicle is just that, it must be able to follow us as we fly so when we land we have a way back. Even if the launch site is usable it doesn't mean the landing site will be. Remember, our choice of landing site must be directly in our flight path and is decided at the last minute so we need to be sure we can launch and retrieve without issues. Getting the Chase vehicle stuck on privately owned property could lead to problems with a landowner. And, of course, as we get in to warmer weather and the snow melts, ground conditions become even more critical. We've had many memorable winter flights when conditions were perfect. They're just few and far between this year.

On the bright side, the days are getting longer and spring is not far away. Last year, spring was difficult , too, with a lot of wind and rain through much of April and May. Hopefully, we've paid our debt to the "weather gods" this winter and there will be fewer showers bringing our May flowers!

Tom Oerman Pilot/Director

American Balloon

▣ Buying On-Line

posted by AmericanBalloon on December 14th, 2009 at 2:25 PM

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Before the internet, customers ordered gift certificates for a balloon ride by phone. Of course they were delivered by "Snail Mail" and, if time was short, "Overnight Snail." Now customers can go to our Order page and print one in minutes. It's so easy, quick and convenient, I've decided to do all my holiday gifting on line this year.

The other day I received a call from Laura who wanted to give a gift certificate to her sister but was concerned she might not go because she was afraid of heights. I assured her most people are afraid of heights, including me. I hate standing on a forty-foot extension ladder because it's possible to fall off! Thank goodness it's not scary flying in a balloon.

Later that day I received this e-mail:

TOM - JUST WANTED TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH ME THIS MORNING! YOUR WEB SITE IS GREAT AND VERY INFORMATIVE!!! THE ORDER PROCESS WAS VERY SIMPLE AND THE GIFT CERTIFICATES THAT I WAS ABLE TO JUST PRINT OUT ARE BEAUTIFUL! VERY CLASSY! I THINK WHEN MY SISTER SEE'S IT AND TALKS TO YOU, SHE WILL FEEL MUCH MORE AT EASE. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HER AND HER HUSBAND BOOKING THEIR FLIGHT AND HEARING ALL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.

THANKS SO MUCH AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

REGARDS,
LAURA

Thank you so much Laura and we look forward to taking your sis and her husband on a magnificent ballooning adventure!

Tom Oerman, Pilot/Director

American Balloon

▣ Fall Colors

posted by AmericanBalloon on November 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 PM

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Every year, fall colors are different and 2009 is no exception. It's been a cool summer and wet October so grassy field are bright green, giving great contrast to the warm tones of the trees. We're past peak, but there's still a lot of color for a couple of weeks. Then, when the leaves are gone, we'll see everything that's been hidden from view by the foliage; Like roads, houses...and if we're lucky, wild turkeys.

We'll fly until the end of November. Then, most people will be thinking about the Holidays. It's not that we can't fly in the winter but most people think it's colder in the balloon than on the ground. Actually, on a hot summer day it's noticeably warmer, which is why we recommend cool mornings during the spring, summer and fall. When it's below 20 degrees, we do have to dress our hands and feet well, as we're not walking around up there. The key for any time of year is to dress for your comfort on the ground and you'll be fine in the balloon.

Tom Oerman, Pilot/Director

American Balloon

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