Our Balloon for Private Flights
If you are looking for a more intimate flight, we offer balloon flights that can carry 2 to 4 persons plus the pilot. These private flights are held at sunrise over the Perris Valley, California area. Like all of our flights, reservations are required and they include a traditional champagne or cider toast and and light hors d’oeuvres. All flights are tax deductible as the fees support sending our balloons to camps for adults and children with special needs at a reduced cost to the nonprofit. To make a reservation, call the office at 951-538-7368 or go to the Services & Flights link and click on I want to make a reservation.
Our One Person “Cloudhopper”
This unique system was once described as looking like a space age jetpack with an aluminum lawn chair attached! It is actually a fairly accurate description. The Cloudhopper features an aluminum framed seat with a fuel tank that straps on the pilot’s back similar to a backpack. The 30,000 cubic feet (850 cubic meters) envelope attaches to the frame. The pilot stands up with the seat, fuel tank and inflated envelope attached. As the burner further heats the air, the envelope rises and the suspended pilot enjoys the flight with his feet dangling in the air! We utilize this only as an interesting display piece. Sorry – no rides!
Our Walk-In Balloon (named Jitterbug)
|
Using a “retired” envelope that is no longer certified as air-worthy, we inflate it horizontally (lying on its side) using only ambient (unheated) air forced in by fans. A custom developed metal frame keeps the throat (or opening) of the envelope in place allowing people to actually walk inside the inflated envelope. The wide entrance allows easy wheelchair access. It is surprisingly spacious inside and can accommodate large groups. It is a rare experience to see a hot air balloon from the inside out and it can create a real attention getter for your event or function.
The Walk-In Balloon
|
|
Our Restored Raven Basket
For a period of time in the 60’s, some manufacturers experimented with making balloon baskets out of the latest state of the art materials. We have an example of those efforts in our restored 1969 Raven Basket made of aluminum and fiberglass. What these rule breakers discovered was that new is not always better. Traditional wicker baskets can absorb much more impact and therefore are much more resistant to damage than rigid materials like aluminum. We use this basket to display a piece in the history of ballooning.
Our Triangular Basket
Another display we have available is a traditional wicker triangular shaped basket made by Balloon Works. This one is an ideal size for flying a pilot and one or two passengers. We often take this relatively compact basket into classrooms and have also exhibited it as a part of our Balloon Education Booth. People are welcome to climb inside. It is a popular spot for photo taking.
https://www.facebook.com/reachforthestarshotairballoon/videos/888166265836953
See Also