How safe is it?
Ballooning is the safest form of not only aviation but also transportation. Our pilots have been trained to the highest professional standards under procedures laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority for all aircraft operators, so you can be assured of the highest safety standards and the most up-to-date equipment available. All our balloons are inspected, maintained and operated in accordance with the strict codes of practice and regulations laid down by the CAA.

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Where do we fly and why can’t I choose the launch site?
We fly all over the Kent countryside. As balloons are classed as ‘lighter than air, un-powered aircraft’, we are guided only by the prevailing winds. The launch site will therefore be chosen by your pilot after he has considered the forecast winds for your flight period, so we do not infringe on any airspace or end up in the sea! All of our launch sites have their own unique and charming features so don’t be disappointed if the launch site chosen is not your preferred option.

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Do we fly all year long and what time will the flight go?
Normally, we schedule flights every day of the week between April and October, weather permitting. The most ideal time for the flights is early morning or early evening as this is when the air is generally stable, surface winds are light and visibility is clear. Meeting times vary depending on the time of year but typically they are between 6am and 7am for morning and 5pm and 7pm for evening flights. Weekend summer evenings are our most popular slots, but Spring and Autumn can produce some of the best flying conditions, with changing colours and flights of greater distance.

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How high do we fly and for how long?
Normally we fly between 500 and 2,500ft. Occasionally, when conditions permit, we may dip down low to brush the treetops, or climb as high as 6,500ft to enjoy the panorama of the Kent countryside, the Thames Estuary, the Essex coastline & even France, depending on visibility. There is no such thing as an “average” balloon flight, each one is a truly unique experience. The flight itself, from lift-off to touch down, normally lasts about one hour. The whole experience usually lasts around 4 hours, including the pilot briefing, the flight itself, a champagne celebration and the journey back to the launch site.

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How far do we fly and where do we land?
Ballooning, like Serendipity, is the art of making happy and unexpected discoveries! The distance we fly depends upon the speed of the wind. If the wind speed at 1000ft is 10mph we will fly about 10 miles. Usually you can expect to cover anywhere between 5 and 25 miles and we will land wherever the wind takes us! Your pilot will be looking for a field free of animals and crops, ideally with good access for the retrieve vehicles. The landings are exciting and most passengers want to do it again! In faster winds the basket may drag along the ground for a short distance before coming to rest on its side. Your pilot will brief you thoroughly on the safety procedures prior to and during the flight.

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What type of clothing should I wear and is it cold up there?
We recommend wearing exactly the same clothes as you’d wear for a walk in the countryside and sensible, flat shoes (please note that heels should not be worn). We also recommend that you bring a hat or headscarf to shield your head from the occasional heat of the burners. As balloons fly with the wind there is no chill factor, it is usually the same temperature in the air as on the ground. As some of the heat radiates downwards from the burners, you may actually feel warmer in the basket than you do on the ground!

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How do we get back to our cars and can I bring friends to watch?
Our retrieve crew are in constant radio contact with the Pilot during the flight and will follow the balloon, aiming to be there when it lands. After the flight, we return passengers back to the launch site. You are welcome to bring family and friends to watch the launch but please note that there are no separate facilities available for spectators. If you have a large group of friends we would recommend they stay behind for a picnic or visit the nearest pub! The retrieve crew’s priority has to be with the balloon and congestion can often be caused on the road with a long queue of vehicles following the balloon. Please also note that we do not have space for friends in the retrieve vehicles and champagne is only provided for passengers! If your friends do decide to follow the balloon, we must ask that they adhere to the country code. Land owner relations are crucial to the goodwill of ballooning, and followers must not enter the landing site either by car or on foot, until permission has been granted from the landowner.

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Am I covered by insurance?
Yes. Kent Ballooning carries £2,000,000 worth of third party and passenger liability insurance. However, your personal possessions such as your camera and binoculars are carried at your own risk.

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What if I’m afraid of heights?
Suspended beneath a balloon in a wicker basket is a very different sensation from standing at the top of a cliff, or on the roof of a tall building. There is no wind and very little sound or sense of movement. In our experience even the most nervous of passengers soon relax after take off, feeling secure in the basket and thoroughly enjoy the flight.

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Is there an age limit?
If you feel adventurous enough to want to fly in a balloon, then you are not too old to do it. We regularly fly people in their 80’s and provided you are of average fitness, able to climb in to the balloon basket and able to stand for an hour, we’ll be more than happy to fly you. Children are also welcome, although we do stipulate for safety’s sake that they are tall enough to see over the side of the basket (1.4m/4’ 6” high). This means, in most cases, children under the age of eight will not normally be permitted to fly.

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Will there be other people in the basket?
Unless you have booked an exclusive VIP flight for 2 passengers then you will be flying in one of our larger balloons. We have 2 balloons that carry either 8 or 16 passengers so it just depends on how many people are booked on the day of your flight. Don’t worry, there is plenty of room to move around inside the basket and marvel at the views!

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What if the weather is bad and the flight is postponed?
We believe ‘it’s better to be on the ground wishing that we were flying, than flying and wishing we had stayed on the ground!’ The pilot is the only one who can make the decision to fly or not. If the weather is not suitable for ballooning on the day you are booked, you will be advised when you call our confirmation line and asked to re-schedule your flight to a later date. Very rarely, we are forced to cancel in the field. This decision is based on the safety of the passengers and is at the discretion of the pilot.

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Can we change the date of our flight?
We advise passengers to book their flights well before the expiry date on the voucher. As we are so weather dependant, your chosen day may be cancelled. If, once booked, you find that you are unable to make that date, then you are able to change it as long as you give us plenty of notice. Please see our terms and conditions for specific information.

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Can I bring my camera?
A balloon basket is a very stable platform for photography and videos. Many passengers obtain spectacular results, using no more than the family point-and-shoot! We also offer the opportunity to purchase prints or a CD Rom of images from your flight taken from our on board camera to capture the memory forever.