1. The exact time and place of meeting will be confirmed by sms to your declared mobile phone number within 24 hours before the flight. The pilot depending on wind direction and speed will define the take off site. If weather is uncertain, we will indicate the risk of cancellation and you are invited to confirm or cancel your flight. If weather conditions are favourable for the flight, any flight reservation cancelled within 24 hours before the flight is non-refundable, unless our company approves it in written (e-mail).
2. Hot air balloons fly early in the mornings (5am-9am), while termics (vertical air flows) haven't started and late in the evenings (6pm-9pm), when termics become quiet. You can find the preliminary timetable here (http://www.ballooning.fr/flight-timetable/).
3. Hot air balloon flights completely depend on meteo situation : cloudiness, rainfall, visibility, wind speed etc. Usually meteo forecast is available 3 days before a flight, but sometimes the forecast is inaccurate or incomplete. Therefore, even when you arrive to the balloon's launching place, for safety reasons the flight may be cancelled.
4. The average duration of the hot air balloon flight is one hour, but the whole process (preparation for the flight, instruction, flight, packing the balloon after flight, baptizing ceremony and getting back) lasts for 3-4 hours.
5. Usually 6 - 12 persons fly in one hot air balloon. If you would like to fly without other people (vip flight) you should discuss this with the organisers of the flight in advance.
6. Before the flight the pilot instructs passengers. You should listen carefully to all the instruction. Do not hesitate to ask if something is unclear. The instructions related to the flight are obligatory for you. You should be attentive to the pilot during the whole flight.
7. Before the take off the pilot will ask you to help to prepare the balloon for the flight. If you have health problems or you are pregnant it is better to consult with the doctor before the flight. In any case, you must inform the pilot about your health problems or pregnancy.
8. During the preparation and the flight, it is better to wear trousers, jacket or long-sleeved shirts (preferably from flame proof material), clunky shoes and have leather gloves. In mornings the grass is usually wet, therefore, rubber boots are more comfortable. In evenings at the landing place there can be mosquitoes, therefore you would feel more comfortable wearing long-sleeved shirts. Preparing for the flight, during the flight or after landing you may get dirty, so do not smarten up. A cap would protect you from the heat of the burners.
9. It is forbidden to use alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances and smoke before and during the flight.
10. When going up the temperature drops 6,5 degrees per vertical kilometre. You won't fly higher than 0,5 kilometre. Actually, the temperature will be the same as on the ground or a little bit hotter (because of the burners).
11. Balloons always fly along the wind. Therefore, we never know in advance, where exactly the balloon will land. Crew in a car follows flying hot air balloon. Balloon pilot has constant radio connection with the car. After the flight hot air balloon and passengers are brought back to the meeting place. But if you have someone accompanying you with his/her own car, we recommend him / her to follow our retrieve car to the landing place.
12. You can take camera on-board, but on your own responsibility. It is recommended to put camera in a soft holster, which could protect it from possible mechanical damage during landing. Passengers are responsible for their personal things during and after the flight.
13. We are delighted to welcome you for this unforgettable adventure in the sky of Touraine !
14. For any questions, please call us + 33 2 54 93 00 00, mob. + 33 6 20 55 40 70 or e-mail.
