Great question! Hot air balloon flight is truly a unique and fascinating experience. It all boils down to a very basic scientific principle: hot air rises. Here's a simple breakdown of the process:

1. Inflation: We start by laying the balloon envelope out on the ground and filling it with cold air using a powerful fan. This begins to shape the balloon.

2. Heating: Once it's inflated, we heat the air inside the balloon with a propane burner. As the air inside the balloon gets warmer than the outside air, the balloon starts to rise.

3. Ascending and Descending: The pilot controls the altitude of the balloon by managing the temperature inside the envelope. Heating the air makes the balloon go up, and letting it cool makes the balloon come down.

4. Steering: Hot air balloons can't be steered in the traditional sense. They go wherever the wind takes them. However, winds at different altitudes can have different directions and speeds, so by changing altitude, the pilot can have some control over the balloon's course.

5. Landing: When it's time to land, the pilot locates a suitable landing site and gradually decreases the balloon's altitude by allowing the air to cool or by venting hot air.

Our flights can take you anywhere from 5 to 30 kilometres, depending on wind speed and flight duration. We choose the take-off location based on the wind directions and speeds around the district at the time, which also influences the distance flown. While it's rare for our balloons to land in the same place they take off, occasionally the winds allow for a "box" flight to be flown. More typically, the wind will carry you on a beautiful journey across the countryside.

Hot air ballooning is truly a marvel of science and nature combined, and we can't wait for you to experience it with us!