Since the beginning of time, people have had the desire to be able to fly. His longing to experience the freedom of flight that birds so frequently do prompted him to devise a wide variety of flying objects and mechanisms. This ambition does not appear to be waning any time soon, as evidenced by the prevalence of concepts ranging from jets and helicopters to spaceships and light aircraft. When hang gliders, parachutes, and of course hot air balloons are added to the mix, things take a decidedly positive turn for the better. The hot air balloon is the one mode of transportation that, out of all of these options, invariably stirs up one’s free-spirited side and makes one enthusiastic about flying. Before taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, however, there are a number of safety considerations that must be taken into consideration first.
The current state of the weather
The weather is the one factor that can prevent you from going on your balloon ride without providing you with an alternative or any prior warning. This is the case even though there is only one thing that can do this. When the weather is too severe, flying is not an option and should not be attempted. That is, whenever there is a chance of precipitation or whenever there is a strong wind. It is not unheard of to make reservations for a hot air balloon ride one month in advance, only to arrive at the location from which the ride is scheduled to depart and be informed of a change in plans. The pilot is adamant that you do not possess the ability to fly. Despite the fact that hearing this may be highly distressing, doing so is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of all those concerned. We will do everything in our power to secure a reservation for you on the next available date and get you airborne as quickly as we possibly can.
Children
Young children are always fascinated by anything that can travel in the air. You may thus conceive of how they might behave if they were enclosed in a balloon. Children must be at least seven years old to fly, and parents should be aware that some youngsters may suffer anxiety related to heights or the unknown. Because flying in a hot air balloon is such a one-of-a-kind experience, we need that passengers be at least seven years old. Be wary of the courageous ones, especially the ones that can hardly wait to take flight. Keep an eye on them both before the ride and while it is in progress.
Clothing
It is difficult to determine how one’s clothing and hot air balloons are connected to one another in any way. However, there is a protocol that was mostly developed for females. First off, avoid skirts and dresses. Simply said, climbing into and out of the airplane is a challenging and awkward experience. It is important to remember to keep yourself warm, especially if you will be going on a long trip, as the mornings can be rather chilly in the Yarra Valley, and the wind can be quite biting. Additionally, if you suffer from any respiratory disorders that may be exacerbated by the fluctuating air pressure seen during flight. If you suffer from any condition that could be exacerbated by the balloon, it is imperative that you communicate this information to your pilot.
Your traveling companions
There is no difference between a hot air balloon and any other type of aircraft. There is no way to know in advance who will be sitting next to you on the airplane. This is, of course, a delightful thing to do because you will meet new people on the trip, with whom you will most likely have a pleasant conversation, and who, if all goes well, will be able to take some fantastic pictures of you.
There is also a camera that is fixed on the side of the balloon basket so that a large group shot can be taken. This picture will become a memorable moment that you will want to save forever.
Why don’t you take a look at our Yarra Valley Ballooning and Winery Tour package if you feel as though you are ready to experience a flight in a hot air balloon? Talk to us and find out more about our Yarra Valley wine tours and day trips; we have years of experience in the tourism industry in this region.
If you are in South Yarra, Victoria 3141, and looking for a winery tour to Yarra Valley wineries or Mornington Peninsula wineries, this is the best way to visit us.
Winery Tour Yarra Valley
Unit 201/98 River Esplanade
Docklands, VIC 3008
(03) 7042 3201