Frequently Asked Questions
Though the altitude record for hot air ballooning is 76,000 feet, the height of passenger flights range anywhere from tree tops up to 3,000 feet.
Hot Air Balloons cannot be steered like a plane or helicopter. Balloons travel only in the direction of the wind. There may be different wind directions at different altitudes that the pilot may use to maneuver the balloon for landing. Our ‘Chase Crew’ will have been following the balloon since lift off and will retrieve the balloon and passengers and return them to the launch location.
We do get asked about 25 times a year whether couples can fly alone, but the laws require a licensed flight operator for your adventure!
Meeting times and launch sites will vary as the season progresses. Skyward Balloons operates flights within the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and from Drumbo and Woodstock in South-Western Ontario. Please call (519) 651-1833 and chose option 1 to confirm the meeting time, meeting location (Listed Below) and for the status of your flight. For Sunrise flights, please call in after 11:00 PM the night before your flight, and for Sunset flights, please call after 4:00 PM the day of your flight.
Launch Locations:
- Walters Music Venue. The Walters Theatre 836074 Hubbard Rd. Bright, ON, N0J 1B0, Canada
- Waterloo Rod Gun Club. 1075 Bo De Lane, St Jacobs. ON. N0B 2N0
- Shell Service Center. 806607 Oxford Road 29, Drumbo. ON
- Woodstock Flying Club. Governor’s Road, Woodstock. ON. N4S 7W8
All certificates and vouchers are prepaid in full and are non-refundable. We do understand that sometimes passenger’s situations may change and they no longer can or wish to use their certificate. For this reason, all our certificates are transferable. Simply let us know who you have transferred the certificate or boarding pass to and we will adjust the files. If for whatever reason you need to reschedule your booking, we would be happy to do so with a minimum of 3 business days notice for up to 3 passengers and 5 business days notice for groups of 4 or more otherwise you may lose your ticket.
As safety of the passengers, crew and equipment is of utmost priority, flights will sometimes have to be cancelled. Various factors can cause cancellation such as weather conditions, equipment malfunction or pilot injury or illness. Your safety is our #1 priority and we will not fly if this is jeopardized. If your flight is cancelled, you simply reschedule for another flight.
As ballooning is weather dependent we have to cancel your flight if conditions are not safe. If your flight is cancelled, you simply reschedule for another date that suits your schedule. Sometimes passengers can be cancelled a few times before being able to fly. Your gift certificate does not expire!
Hot Air Balloons cannot be steered like a plane or helicopter. Balloons travel only in the direction of the wind. There may be different wind directions at different altitudes that the pilot may use to maneuver the balloon for landing. Our ‘Chase Crew’ will have been following the balloon since lift off and will retrieve the balloon and passengers and returns them to the launch location.
The balloon travels the same speed as the wind and on an average flight the distance is approximately 15 km.
Hot Air! High-powered propane burners ignites and heats liquid propane that is aimed into the balloon to make it rise. The burners create 30+ million BTU’s of heat. In comparison, an average home barbecue generates 40,000 BTU’s. Each flight uses approximately 100 to 160 litres of propane.
A small Hot Air Balloon is 56,000 cubic ft. That is approximately 60 feet high and 50 feet in diameter. An average 4 passenger plus a pilot balloon is 105,000 cubic ft. Skyward Balloons also flies larger balloons up to 310,000 cubic ft that can carry 12 passengers plus the pilot.
No, it is about the same temperature as on the ground. There is a slight change of one degree or so, if we fly very high.
Yes, some of the best flights take place during the fall and winter months. During this time, visibility is usually unlimited. We schedule winter flights on a standby bases.
Yes, most certainly. Ballooning gives you fantastic picture opportunities of the surrounding area. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries for your camera and a protective case for landing.
Special clothing is not required for hot air ballooning. We always suggest practical wear, such as long pants, a light jacket, a hat and no sandals or high heels. Dress as if you were going out for a walk in the countryside.
Hot Air Balloon passenger flights take place in winds less than 8 knots, with no rain or approaching storms in the immediate area. Flights also require a minimum flight visibility of at least 5km. However, we prefer 10km plus for better passenger viewing.
Flights take place at sunrise within 30 minutes of sunrise and approximately 2 hours prior to sunset. Hot Air Balloons are not able to fly during the middle of the day due to thermal winds which develop during the day, which makes the air unstable.
On average, passenger flights are approximately one hour in length. Some flights can vary from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on the amount of fuel on board, the passengers’ combined weight, the temperature of the air and when the pilot finds a suitable landing field.
It’s simple… just call Skyward Balloons and we’ll book the flight for you. No need to try to do it yourself. If you need to purchase a flight certificate click here.