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FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time of year to fly??
   Anytime of the year is good for a balloon ride. Each season has its own special appeal:
   • SPRING- Everything a real bright green, Flowers blooming in the fields below.
   • SUMMER- Fields high with corn and hay, A haze that makes the Blue Ridge bluer.
   • FALL- Tree's full of color, At times a nip in the air to let you know winters coming.
   • WINTER- Crisp and clear, Can easily see wildlife in woods and fields.
2. What days of the week can you fly??
   Monday-Sunday, Weather Permitting.
3. How much notice do I need to book a flight??
   It's best to call a couple week's in advance, But, if you find yourself out along the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Mountains or in the Shenandoah Valley, give us a call, we may have an opening!!
4. How do I book a flight??
   Send us an email: balloon@rideair.com
5. Where will we fly??
   We fly in the lower part of the Shenandoah Valley. If you're not from the area, that's the upper part of the state. The Shenandoah River flows south to north. This makes the upper part of the state the lower part of the Valley.
6. When will we fly??
   We can launch twice a day, either early morning (at sunrise or just before) or late in the afternoon (a few hours before sunset).
7. Can I help??
   Yes, We encourage our passengers to help with the setup and inflation of the balloon, also the Milking (squeezing out the air) of the balloon after we land. This adds to the experience of ballooning.
8. How long is the flight??
   Flights last between one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes.
9. What should I wear??
   Causal sports wear is best, dress for the season. Also, we do not recommend open toe or high heel shoe's (not much fun in an open field).
10. Can I bring a camera??
    Of course, just make sure it has a strap (hate to see you lose your camera).
11. Where will we land??
    Wish I could answer this one, but I can't. That's the fun part of ballooning, you always know were you will launch, but you never know were you'll land. I can tell you this; it will be in an open field.
12. What happens after we land??
    First things first, ask the landowner for permission to land on their property. If it's O.K., we have to wait for the balloon to lose its lift by letting it cool down, Then out of the basket we go to the milking of the envelope. After all the work is done, on with the Post Traditional Champagne Toast.
13. How do we get back??
    Our experienced chase crew takes us back from where we launched.
14. Can I bring friends to watch??
    Yes, but do to limited seating in our chase vehicle, they must bring their own transportation.