What are the risks of hot air balloon rides?

Collisions with other hot air balloons are a big risk, particularly during massive balloon festivals such as those in Albuquerque. Collisions can cause the basket to topple over, the pilot to lose control, or the aircraft to catch on fire, which can lead to burn injuries.



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Globally, there are approximately 3,000 hot air balloon accidents per year. In the United States, there are approximately 20 accidents per year. When these accidents occur, it is common for multiple parties to suffer injuries in the crash. However, fatalities are rare.

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Hot air balloons are generally considered safe, with decades of data showing that they are one of the safest forms of air travel. According to the FAA's Aviation Accident Database, hot air ballooning is the safest form of all air travel and is rarely involved in aviation crashes.

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You should not have recently undergone any surgeries. You should not fly if you have back or leg problems. You cannot fly if you have a cast on. You cannot fly if you are on oxygen.

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The majority of hot air balloons do not have built-in seating, nor can they allow portable seats for safety reasons. So you, unfortunately, will not be able to sit down during a hot air balloon ride. But railings are available, and your pilot will cover any of your additional safety concerns.

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The good news is that it does not effect you when flying in a hot air balloon, with almost everyone finding hot air ballooning peaceful and relaxing. Even folks who have some apprehension before the flight find themselves quickly giving up their grip on the handles shortly after take off.

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If a hot air balloon runs out of gas, it'll slowly begin descending. That's because the balloon only generates lift through burning fuel to heat the air in the envelope. The lack of regular heating leads the air inside the balloon to gradually cool, reducing altitude in the process.

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HOW LONG IS AN AVERAGE BALLOON FLIGHT? Usually a balloon flight lasts about an hour. At an average wind speed of about 5 mph, a balloon will fly 2 – 8 miles. Ground crews follow the balloon, talking on the radio with the pilot.

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Even if there are no winds at the surface, the winds aloft may drive the decision not to fly. Winds aloft of 18-20 knots or 20 miles per hour can be sufficient to cancel a flight. What is a pi-ball? Winds may seem perfectly calm but balloon flights can still cancel because of high winds.

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The turbulence which usually causes motion sickness is absent in a hot air balloon ride. The flight of a hot air balloon is almost too smooth to describe.

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Most landings are very smooth, but occasionally the winds can pickup and we can have a fast (sometimes rough and exciting) landing. We do not recommend Hot Air Ballooning to: Pregnant. Anyone with recent or upcoming surgery.

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There is also no turbulence, and the balloon doesn't have a motor or an engine so there is no noise (apart from the burner occasionally), and no shaking, so it's a much calmer and weightless experience than a helicopter or aeroplane flight.

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Are hot air balloon rides worth it? The answer is that it depends on you! If you love adventure and aren't afraid of heights, then a hot air balloon ride is something you should try at least once in your lifetime. But if you're not a morning person or have trouble walking, you might want to consider another activity.

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What if I need to go to the bathroom? There are no bathroom facilities available on balloons! As flights can last over an hour, you need to make sure that you take a bathroom break before take-off.

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Hot air balloons travel with the wind movement and will only go as fast as the wind. Travelling with the wind, you do not feel it windy, and pilots will choose safe wind speed days.

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Should we tip our balloon pilot and chase crew? Like all service providers, a gratuity is always appreciated. A typical tip would be 10-20% of the total price.

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