FAQs

When shall we fly ?

For safety reasons, hot air balloon flights occur during the two hours following sunrise and the two hours preceding sunset. In order to guarantee the most comfortable trip, we suggest we meet at the following times:

	March	April	May	June	July	Agust	Sept	Oct
Morning*	7h30	7h00	6h30	6h00	6h00	6h30	7h00	7h30
Evening	16h30	17h30	18h30	19h00	19h00	19h00	18h00	17h00

* Morning flights available only if basket is complete or with private flight option.

If the weather is not suitable for a safe and pleasant trip (rain, storm, fog, gust winds...), we will arrange a new date (your tickets are valid for 2 years).

Cancellation insurance: if the flight can't be done at another date or because of continuous poor weather conditions, then you will be fully reimbursed within 2 weeks.

Where do we take-off ?

The meeting point is the little square in front of the RER C Dourdan train station. We pick you up at the station and we take you back to the station when the flight is completed.

We use several takeoff sites. Site selection depends primarily on wind direction and the desired course.

As far as possible, we try to fly over one or more points of interest in the region. However, as a balloon can not be directed, we can not guarantee the overview of any particular place.

What about vertigo ?

Contrary to popular belief, we don't have vertigo in a balloon. On the one hand, the balloon is very stable because it floats in the air, on the other the sensation of vertigo appears only when you are connected to the ground (eg scale, ravine).

However, very anxious people may suffer from "aeronautics stress ". Examples are people who refuse to board on a plane or in an elevator. This is a psychological problem that has nothing to do with vertigo.

Why a morning or an evening flight only ?

To fly in safe conditions, the balloon must evolve in a stable atmosphere (not gusts or vertical winds). These conditions of air stability are present only at sunrise or sunset when the thermal agitation caused by soil warming from the sun is less important.

Please consider that atmosphere is very unstable when stormy conditions. Therefore, prohibit any balloon ride, even if the weather seems to be nice and sunny.

How long a flight lasts ?

The total duration of the service is about 3 hours and a half:

on-site transfer and installation: 1 hour
balloon flight : 1 hour (+/- 10 mns)
landing, folding and packing: 1 hour
toast and champagne: 30 mns

Flight duration may slightly vary according to the opportunities for landing during the flight

Are there any precautions to take ?

Fitness: ballooning activity is accessible to anyone not suffering from major health problems. If in doubt, we advise you to ask your doctor. Nevertheless, we recommend that children under 7, people in poor health and pregnant women not to fly.

We advise you to wear casual clothing (natural fibre or cotton clothing preferably). Flat shoes and trousers are recommended for the ladies (avoid high heels). In addition, it may be a little cool during the flight, so we recommend you take with you a woollen or fleece type article. A light meal or sandwiches beforehand is strongly recommended for early or late flights.

Where shall we land ?

The exact location of landing is hard to predict because a balloon cannot be steered. However, the direction and strength of the wind give us valuable information on possible landing areas.

In addition, the direction of the wind may vary with the altitude, which is interesting when you want to go in a specific direction.

The art of piloting lies in using these air masses and also in the choice of a breeding ground, preferably grass and close to a path or a road.

Can we steer a balloon ?

Unfortunately not. A hot air balloon is the only aircraft that "floats" in the air. Like a cork on the water, a balloon is carried by the air streams. The art of flying is to learn and use the different streams to influence the balloon's trajectory.

Each flight is unique, the route taken and the landing are never known in advance.

How high do we fly ?

A balloon can fly very high. The current record is held by Vijaypat Singhania who made an ascent to over 21,000 meters in 2005 !

Don't worry, we will not go so high. In general, the flight altitude varies from several meters to 600 meters. As you will see, the interest of the balloon is the ability to contemplate the nature and admire the scenery unfold before our feet.

What is the temperature ?

The temperature aloft is substantially the same as on the ground. Knowing that the balloon moves in the air mass, there is no or few relative winds. The burners produce heat, we advise tall people to wear a hat for protection from radiation burners.