FAQ's

Where will we land?
Ballons fly with the wind, so we only know the approximate direction,not the exact landing point.

When is the best time to fly?
We operate our season between March and October. Weekend summer evenings are the most popular, but Spring and Autumn can produce some of the best flying conditions, with changing colours and flights of greater distances.

What time of day do we fly?
Balloon flights are made either early morning or evening when the winds are at their calmest. The time varies throughout the season as with the daylight hours. Typically from May - August we start at 6:30 in the morning and 6 in the evening. During the winter we can usually fly any time of the day.

What should i wear?
Ladies, please do not wear high heels. Stout waterproof shoes or wellingtons are advisable as the field can often be very damp early morning and evening. A hat for those who may be 'thin on top' as the burner creates quite a lot of radiant heat. It is just as warm in the sky as on the ground - the same clothes as one would wear to go out on the day for a walk, will be quite adequate.

Can friends watch the take-off?
Friends and family are welcome to come along and watch the balloon take off. They may also follow the balloon with the ground crew and hopefully watch the balloon land.

Am I insured?
The balloon and passengers are insured to the maximum of two and a half million pounds for any one claim.

Where can we fly from?
British School of Ballooning have many launch sites. We have 14 launch sites through out the UK. Visit our 'location ' page for more information and interactive maps.

How safe is ballooning?
The answer is, very safe. Hot air ballooning has the best safety record of any form of flying. We only fly when conditions are safe, our pilots are highly qualified and all are commercially licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

How long does it take?
The balloon flight lasts for approximately an hour or so, but please allow three to four hours in total. Ballooning takes place in light wind conditions, no more than 10 mph and good visibility with no rain, overcast conditions are perfectly acceptable and often ideal for flying. Flights take place early in the morning (06:00 hrs) and early evening (18:00 hrs) when winds are lightest and the weather stable. Launch times vary with the time of sunset and sunrise.

Does my weight matter?
All balloons are weight loaded and it is very important for accurate weights, especially in the summer months when the temperature is in excess of 20 degrees. If you are 17 stone or over you must take your balloon flight in the morning when it's cooler, or pay 50% surcharge. Please note the following: Passengers cancelling at the last minute can jeopardise the whole flight by making the loading too light for the balloon to fly within it's safety margins. Failure to turn up for your flight when confirmed has the potential to cause immense disappointment to others and you would loose your voucher. We do need 48 hrs cancellation notice.