A champagne experience worth celebrating

Some regional highlights of our Champagne Sunrise Flights include...

In NEW SOUTH WALES: the Hunter Valley, Camden, Canowindra and the Riverina Region.
In THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Canberra.
In VICTORIA: Mansfield and the Yarra Valley.
In QUEENSLAND: The Gold Coast.
In SOUTH AUSTRALIA: the Barossa Valley.
In WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Northam.
In THE NORTHERN TERRITORY: Alice Springs.

THE ROMANCE OF BALLOONING...

Your excursion begins at dawn when the wind is gentle and the light from the morning sun gives the countryside a special appeal, particularly for photography. Then imagine, floating silently, as free as a bird. You feel no wind, because you are a part of it. Birds fly overhead and the sun beams down on your face. You float gently and peacefully across the land laid out in miniature for your inspection. A patchwork of colours and patterns. You can hear the sounds of running streams, pick leaves from the tree tops and see reflections of your balloon moving across small dams. Time seems to stand still as you are suspended between the sky and the earth.... THAT'S BALLOONING!
Flights usually last for about an hour, but this is at the pilot's discretion taking into account the wind speed and direction. Our champagne breakfast after each flight is held in a superb setting. It is fully catered, and quite substantial. High standards are continually monitored and maintained. A flight certificate and souvenir pack to commemorate your first flight in a balloon is provided to every passenger. We realise that this is a special morning, one that you will want to remember! Our crew will assist you with photography. Costs range from $130 to $320 per person depending on package and accomodation wishes.

How cold is it up there? It is no colder flying in the balloon, than it is on the ground. In fact, it is usually warmer because you are standing under a very powerful burner with radiated heat. Also, as the balloon flies with the wind, there is no air going past you to take any heat away. You must be very high before the air becomes really cold. (Oxygen is not needed.)

How many people fit into a basket? Balloon Aloft has many different balloons in various sizes. One of our balloons carries 3 persons, but our largest balloon can carry 8 persons plus the pilot. We will fly the appropriate size depending on the number of passengers on the day.

How do you steer the balloon? A balloon cannot be steered left or right. The direction a balloon flies depends entirely on which way the wind is blowing. Winds blow in different directions at different altitudes, so a pilot can steer the balloon by going higher or lower and finding a wind that will take it in a good direction. Even though people think that the balloon is just carried off by the wind, a good pilot knows fairly well where he is going to land before ever leaving the ground!!!

How high can it go? A balloon is very much like any other aircraft. At 5,000 feet, the pilot must carry a radio. Above 10,000 feet, the pilot must be carrying oxygen. Most passenger flights are conducted between 500 feet and 1,500 feet off the ground except on launch and landing where it might skim across the trees and fields before coming to its final landing.

Balloon Aloft also operates promotional balloons, a pilot training school, plus sells and services all lighter-than-air craft and cold-air inflatables. Phone Head Office to enquire about our outdoor advertising and promotional services. Our promotional balloon clients include ELGAS, Villeroy & Boch, R.A.A.F., and McDonald's Family Restaurants.

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