| This article is a guide for anyone who is considering | | | | then need to ferry the passengers back to your |
| setting up a balloon ride business anywhere in the | | | | operations base - which could be some considerable |
| world. | | | | distance away. The eight to twelve seat Land Rover |
| Where to base your balloon ride? | | | | Defender gets the thumbs up from many balloon ride |
| This is the most important factor to consider at the | | | | operators, though also consider the Toyota |
| planning stage. Either you base your balloon ride near | | | | Landcruiser, and the VW Syncro microbus. Of course, |
| to a large population centre, with access to the | | | | there are other vehicles on the market but the ones |
| countryside, or you base it in a more isolated area | | | | listed are very popular with balloon ride operators. |
| which has a steady stream of tourists passing | | | | You will also need a flatbed trailer, which should have |
| through it. Where ever you base your balloon ride | | | | small wheels below the truckbed. Also consider |
| business, make sure you have access to a steady | | | | getting a winch or crane to assist with loading and |
| stream of customers. Africa, Australia, Central and | | | | unloading. |
| South America, Middle East and Asia -- these places | | | | Other hardware |
| have endless spots of tourist interest, and many | | | | Consider how you are going to record bookings. |
| operators set up around sites of stunning natural | | | | Some balloon ride operators use a telephone booking |
| beauty. However, other operators around the world | | | | system, and/or a computer reservation program. |
| base their balloon ride operations within an hour or so | | | | Others have the whole operation sub-contracted to a |
| of a city, and you can even fly over some cities, for | | | | travel agent. |
| example, Prague, Stockholm, or Bristol. The weather | | | | Pilot |
| is of course a factor, and the more reliable the | | | | You can contract a pilot on a long term or seasonal |
| better. You also need to ensure that you have | | | | basis. Again, do your research as to what terms are |
| enough landing sites to allow for wind in all directions. | | | | reasonable and exactly what paper qualifications the |
| You will need to check the air traffic regulations for | | | | pilot should have if, say, the pilot is from the USA, |
| your proposed area to be sure that balloon ride | | | | Australia or the UK. Regulatory systems vary but for |
| flights are allowed. | | | | sure your pilot will need a licence. Accept no excuses |
| Balloon ride equipment | | | | and ask to see the licence as evidence of |
| This is the second most important factor to consider | | | | qualification. Look for a pilot with about 5 years |
| in your planning. Your basket will be made out of | | | | experience - they will know what they are doing. |
| wicker to allow for flexibility in the event of a bumpy | | | | Ground crew |
| landing. You can get baskets in 'single T', where the | | | | How many ground crew you will need all depends on |
| pilot is at one end of the basket, or 'double T', where | | | | the size of your envelope, and on the overall size of |
| the pilot is in the middle of the basket with | | | | your operation. The ground crew does not require |
| passengers either side. The 'double T' is the | | | | formal training, but your pilot will normally work out a |
| preference of most pilots and operators since it | | | | program of instruction if requested. In any event, |
| allows for more even weight distribution and ease of | | | | your ground crew must know what they are doing. |
| passenger supervision. Woven floor baskets are light | | | | Check out the excellent safety tutorials at Balloon |
| and are designed for small-medium size balloons. With | | | | Federation of America (BFA) and you shouldn't be |
| bigger balloons, you will need a basket with solid | | | | putting a foot wrong. |
| floors to give some rigidity. There are a number of | | | | Licensing of the balloon ride business |
| products on the market, allowing for different | | | | The point to make here is that regulatory systems |
| configurations of passenger layout. Larger baskets | | | | around the world vary, so you need to do thorough |
| have doors and allow for wheelchair access. Do your | | | | local legal research. For example, in the UK, the |
| research, have manufacturers send you brochures | | | | balloons, the operators and the pilots all require |
| and ask other operators for their views on baskets. | | | | approval for public transport operations. However, |
| The balloon itself is known as the 'envelope', and | | | | other countries have less stringent requirements in |
| these are increasingly built of Hyperlast, an | | | | relation to some of these aspects of the business. |
| exceptionally tough UV resistant fabric. Such | | | | Make sure you know the rules that will be applicable |
| envelopes can have a sky life of up to 800 hours. | | | | to the different elements of your business in the |
| Larger envelopes give greater stability during flight | | | | area in which you intend to operate. Contact the |
| and allow for a greater travel distance, since they act | | | | national aviation authority, or similar body, for the |
| like sails and catch the wind to a greater extent than | | | | country in which you wish to base your balloon ride |
| smaller envelopes. However, larger envelopes are | | | | operation. |
| more cumbersome to handle on the ground which | | | | Legal obligations and insurance |
| means you may need a bigger crew to handle them. | | | | If your passengers are paying for a balloon ride in |
| How big you go all depends on you -- but be aware | | | | your balloon then you will have a contractual duty to |
| of the consequences of your decision. | | | | look after their safety, and, depending on the |
| Which burner you choose depends on two factors, | | | | jurisdiction, you may also have a 'duty of care' |
| the size of the envelope, and the operating | | | | operating in law outside the contract. There may |
| conditions. You will need to research whether you | | | | even be public health regulations, or similar, applicable |
| need a triple or quad burner. If you are going to | | | | to your balloon ride operation. Again, do your |
| operate in an area of some noise sensitivity then | | | | research on the local law, consult a lawyer, and find |
| look into buying a stealth burner as part of a | | | | out about the necessary level of insurance cover. By |
| multi-burner unit. If you are operating in a hot country | | | | way of example, for the UK, you should be looking |
| then look into a 'Shadow' or 'Sirocco', both of which | | | | at cover of around £2,000,000. |
| ensure better comfort for your balloon ride | | | | Book keeping and accounts |
| passengers. | | | | You will need to keep a record in a ledger or |
| You will also need to think about deflation systems. | | | | computer system of all income receipts and |
| There are reversible quick deflation systems on the | | | | expenses. All expenses incurred in connection with |
| market but be aware that there is quick and quick. | | | | the your balloon ride business will be deductible to |
| Some are not nearly as quick as others. Therefore, in | | | | tax, including wages, advertising, transport, literature, |
| all instances, get the supplier to give you a demo of | | | | agent commissions. You will only pay tax on that part |
| the deflation system. Again, read up on your subject | | | | of your income that is left after expenses have been |
| and speak with experienced operators before you | | | | paid. You will need to file some sort of tax return, so |
| buy. | | | | consider retaining an accountant. |
| Road vehicle and trailer | | | | If you do decide to take a business to the air and |
| As the balloon crosses the sky, you'll need four | | | | set up a commercial balloon ride operation then keep |
| wheels tracking it on the ground so that the ground | | | | the above points in mind. I wish you all the best with |
| crew can meet the balloon in which ever field or | | | | your business. |
| open area the balloon ride ends up. This vehicle will | | | | |