subject: A Guide To Finding Balloon Rides [print this page] Many people have dreamt about the chance to go on a balloon ride and it is no surprise, they are seriously exciting, balloon rides offer an experience like no other. It's really easy to get involved in ballooning, sometimes you just need to follow the balloon see where it lands and see if you can get into this amazing hobby and treat. Here in this article we shall look at the different ways you can get into hot air ballooning and why it is so possible.
Buying yourself or friends balloon rides is a good and direct way of finding out about the sport. On your experience ask if you can help with both the inflation and deflation of the balloon to add to your experience. There are many different companies available that offer balloon rides, most flights last around about an hour but the entire experience may take up to four hours.
If there are local air balloon pilots in your area then they are usually good to ask about crewing. Most pilots are happy to accept new people. Being a member of the crew will mean that you need to help with all aspects of the flight and will ride in a chase vehicle as it follows the balloon rides. All of your efforts to help will be appreciated and you will find yourself learning more about ballooning.
Balloon festivals are another great way of becoming involved, you can also watch many balloon fly. Every year there are hundreds of different festivals that take place across the globe so find one that is local and don't be shy. Ask balloonists about what they do and how they got into the sport, you may find that you find a balloonist that lives locally to you and you can organise some balloon rides with.
If you cannot get to a festival and find yourself struggling to get into contact with the right people then there may be a balloon club that is local to you. Many pilots welcome in new crew members through balloon clubs and volunteering is one of the quickest ways of getting to know the sport properly. The internet is a good place to find balloon clubs and to get in to contact with people that share the same interest. Handbooks are also available to buy online and are a great way of learning about balloon rides and will be a great starting point for anyone wanting to take their interest further.
