“Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?” It was the 60’s and no one was really sure if the Fifth Dimension was singing about hot air balloons. Hot air ballooning is popular in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Pilots in each country must have either a license or certificate.
A balloon trip builds team spirit and bonds team members in a unique way. The largest balloon carry 20 people, smaller baskets hold 3-4 passengers. Ballooning affords members a unique opportunity to pull together, especially if they are given the task of filling the balloon before take off.
Some variety of retrieval vehicle follows the balloons path and carries passengers and freshly packed balloon back to their point of origin. The chase crew constantly communicates with the pilot, keeping him informed of other aircraft in the area. Repacking the balloon can also be a team challenge – just how do you get thousands of feet of fabric into a three-foot bag?
There is no turbulence in a balloon, no sense of vertigo. The ride is peaceful and relaxing. Passengers are advised to dress warmly and in layers, as if they were going on a hike. Bring a camera and take some amazing images.
Hot air ballooning is a great way to build team camaraderie and is the experience of a lifetime. After all, the world’s a better place in a beautiful balloon.
