Hot Air Balloon, Air Balloon Melbourne, Balloon Flights Yarra Valley, Balloon Flights, Melbourne
Hot Air Balloon Ride Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you will find answers to our frequently asked questions about hot air ballooning around Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.- How much does it cost?
- What is it like to fly in a hot air balloon?
- Where do we fly?
- How many people does a balloon hold?
- What time does it start?
- How long is the flight?
- How long does the morning go for?
- Are balloon flights safe?
- What sort of clothing should I wear?
- What do you see from the air?
- What happens on the morning of a flight?
- Are there any age restrictions?
- How will we know if the flight that we have booked will go ahead the next day?
- What Is A Hot Air Balloon Made Of?
- How High Can You Fly?
- How Much Air Does A Balloon Hold?
- How Many People Does It Take To Inflate The Balloon?
- How Many People Can Fit Into A Basket?
- When Do You Fly?
- Can You Steer A Balloon?
- What Is The Difference Between A Gas Balloon And A Hot Air Balloon?
- Why Do Balloonists celebrate with Champagne post flight?
- What is an aerostat? An aeronaut?
- What Instruments does a Balloon carry?
- Do Balloonists carry parachutes?
Answers:
How much does it cost?
Mid week flights (Monday to Friday) $250- pp
Weekend $310- pp
Prices are inclusive of a gourmet champagne breakfast at Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel and two vouchers per passenger, one for a wine tasting at Yering Station, the other for a cheese tasting at the Yarra Valley Dairy.
A passenger got into our basket with some trepidation, and, after the pilot's briefing, looked around inside the basket then said, "No, no, I can't do it, I have to get out! " "Okay," replied the pilot, we'll just have to go back down first." To her surprise she hadn't realised they had already taken off. She decided to stay on board and enjoyed the flight.
Weekend $310- pp
Prices are inclusive of a gourmet champagne breakfast at Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel and two vouchers per passenger, one for a wine tasting at Yering Station, the other for a cheese tasting at the Yarra Valley Dairy.
A passenger got into our basket with some trepidation, and, after the pilot's briefing, looked around inside the basket then said, "No, no, I can't do it, I have to get out! " "Okay," replied the pilot, we'll just have to go back down first." To her surprise she hadn't realised they had already taken off. She decided to stay on board and enjoyed the flight.
What is it like to fly in a hot air balloon?
Hot air ballooning is like floating over the earth suspended in a basket that barely moves. The experience is so quiet and peaceful, that passengers have been known to whisper to each other. If you close your eyes you would not know if you were ascending or descending.
A passenger got into our basket with some trepidation, and, after the pilot's briefing, looked around inside the basket then said, "No, no, I can't do it, I have to get out! " "Okay," replied the pilot, we'll just have to go back down first." To her surprise she hadn't realised they had already taken off. She decided to stay on board and enjoyed the flight.
A passenger got into our basket with some trepidation, and, after the pilot's briefing, looked around inside the basket then said, "No, no, I can't do it, I have to get out! " "Okay," replied the pilot, we'll just have to go back down first." To her surprise she hadn't realised they had already taken off. She decided to stay on board and enjoyed the flight.
Where do we fly?
We take balloon flights all year round over the beautiful Yarra Valley, about an hour east from the Melbourne CBD. This is one of Australia’s premier wine regions as well as being an area of visually spectacular scenery, and we are proud to continue the historic connections between hot air ballooning and vineyards.
We have flown in many beautiful locations around Victoria, however the Yarra Valley is one of the most scenic. More importantly, the weather conditions in the Yarra Valley are far more favourable and reliable and only one hour from Melbourne.
We have flown in many beautiful locations around Victoria, however the Yarra Valley is one of the most scenic. More importantly, the weather conditions in the Yarra Valley are far more favourable and reliable and only one hour from Melbourne.
How many people can go does a balloon hold?
We have a number of balloon basket sizes dependent upon passenger numbers. These range from two to twenty passengers. In fact Go Wild Ballooning is the only commercial operator who has a basket suitable for twenty passengers
What time does it start?
Ballooning takes place first thing in the morning when weather conditions are suitable and the winds calm. Flights take off around sunrise with the meeting time approximately one hour before.
How long is the flight?
How long does the morning go for?
Are balloon flights safe?
Yes. Hot air ballooning is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which ensures the highest standards in the licensing of pilots, training, maintenance and quality control of operations. We only fly when the weather is suitable.
What sort of clothing should I wear?
The temperature in the air will be no colder than on the ground. We encourage you to participate in the inflation and launching and therefore suitable outdoor clothing and shoes in case of early morning dew are advised.
What do you see from the air?
At first you are absorbed by the immediate landscape gently moving away from you, undulating green fields, manicured vineyards, the roads and cars getting smaller, the huge balloon above your head and the roar of the burners. In the distance are the high rise buildings of modern Melbourne and the blue waters of Port Phillip Bay. No flight in an aeroplane can prepare you for the wonder and delight of floating gently over tree tops and across the vineyards, rising through early morning mist and into the brilliant sunshine to take in the notable landmarks using the slowest and oldest form of flight.
What happens on the morning of a flight?
From Chateau Yering (our meeting point), we transport you in our vehicles, to a suitable launch site. Passengers are encouraged to help inflate the balloon. After flying for around one hour, the retrieve vehicle meets the balloon on the landing site and after packing up the balloon, transports you back to Chateau Yering for a celebration champagne breakfast. After breakfast, visit Yering Station Winery’s Cellar Door for your wine tasting and then the Yarra Valley Dairy for a cheese tasting. It is a very civilised way to spend a relaxed and leisurely morning.
What is for breakfast after the flight?
How will we know if the flight that we have booked will go ahead the next day?
The Duty Pilot will inform you of any changes to the proposed flight when you phone him the night before your flight (as requested in your booking confirmation)
Does Go Wild Ballooning have their equipment tested by Civil Aviation Authorities?
What Is A Hot Air Balloon Made Of?
Rip-stop nylon coated with polyurethane to stop porosity and contain the hot air. The basket is traditional wicker with support from stainless steel cables. The woven rattan is weather resistant, strong and lightweight. While all hot-air balloons consist of a burner system, a basket and an envelope, some differ in size, shape and deflation systems.
How High Can You Fly?
A typical flight in the Yarra Valley would reach 3,000 to 4,000 feet . Above 14,000 feet Pilots are required to carry oxygen. An American Sport balloonists, Col. Joe Kittinger, reached an altitude of 104,000 feet.
How Much Air Does A Balloon Hold?
Go Wild Ballooning has a range of balloons from 105,000 cubic feet (4 passengers) up to 400,000 cubic feet (20 passengers) Go Wild Ballooning’s most commonly used balloon is 210,000 cubic feet (8-10 passengers). The smallest hot air balloon is referred to as a Cloud Hopper (around 20,000 cubic feet), pilot only. The biggest hot air balloon ever made was the one Sir Richard Branson had built to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. This balloon was 2.3 million cubic feet, stood 172 feet tall and carried ten tons of propane gas.
How Many People Does It Take To Inflate The Balloon?
A small balloon can be inflated and deflated by the pilot only. The crown line is attached to the top of the balloon to help during inflation. Deflation and packing up takes a similar amount of time. The usual method of deflation is to open the deflation port in the top of the balloon to let the air out.
When Do You Fly?
The Yarra Valley is suitable to fly all year round. Most flights take off around sunrise. It is possible to occasionally fly in the afternoon.
Summer flights are normally in the early morning only as summer heat brings thermal activity which can be hazardous; the ground becomes hot and causes thermals or rising columns of hot air.
Summer flights are normally in the early morning only as summer heat brings thermal activity which can be hazardous; the ground becomes hot and causes thermals or rising columns of hot air.
Can You Steer A Balloon?
Balloons cannot be steered, but by flying to different heights the Pilot can often find a variation of direction and speed. A balloon drifts in the same direction and at the same speed as the wind.
What Is The Difference Between A Gas Balloon And A Hot Air Balloon?
A gas balloon is completely enclosed and is filled with helium, hydrogen or coal gas. A hot air balloon gets its lift from heating the air within it.
Why Do Balloonists celebrate with champagne post flight?
This is a tradition that dates back to the very first flight in France over 200 years ago. Farmers and land owners had never seen balloons before and often attacked then with pitchforks. It was a very rare occurrence to have a hot air balloon land in a paddock. The Pilots used champagne to pacify the farmers and land owners on landing. Modern aeronauts still thank land owners with champagne to this day.
What is an aerostat? An aeronaut
An aerostat is a lighter than air vehicle capable of flight. ie. (Hot air balloon, air ship).
An aeronaut is someone who flies an aerostat.
An aeronaut is someone who flies an aerostat.
What Instruments does a Balloon carry?
An altimeter, to indicate altitude, a variometer to show whether it is going up or down, a compass to show direction and a thermistor or temperature gauge t tell how hot the air is at the top of the balloon. Each stainless steel propane tank has a fuel gauge and every burner system has a pressure gauge so the pilot knows how fast the fuel is being delivered to the burner.
Do Balloonists carry parachutes?
No. If by some remote chance both burner systems were to go out and were unable to be reignited the balloon acts as a parachute and descends at parachute speed.
Make sure you check out our specials page for unique hot air ballooning experiences in the Yarra Valley Melbourne.
Unique and memorable balloon flights, Yarra Valley and Melbourne, contact us on (03) 9739 0772
Go Wild Ballooning Pty Ltd, Australia
