What to Expect? FAQ's
Q: What types of payment do you accept?
A: We accept cash as well as all major credit cards for payment of deposit and balance (on-site)
Q: When do you fly?
A: We fly year round in Middle Tennessee. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, each offering their own differences and providing unique flights for each party. We fly two times per day one at sunrise and one at sunset. This provides optimum conditions and predictable wind patterns which allow safe flights to be conducted. Flight availablitiy in winter is limited.
Q: In your opinion when is the best time to fly?
A: I personally love all seasons of the year each for their own reason. I prefer the cool brisk morning flights. We launch as the world awakens below us and often experience steam rising from the water around us as well as fog in the valleys.
Q: Where do you launch from?
A: Whether it would be the Nashville skyline or the rolling hills of Franklin and Brentwood, TN. We fly all over the Middle Tennessee area. We regularly use launch sites located in Franklin, Leiper's Fork, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nashville, Arrington, as well as many more.
Q: What makes Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures different from other balloonists?
A:
1. Passenger safety is our number one priority.
2. We provide fully customizable flights catering to your demand. We can accomidate any of your needs. When you fly with us you control the flight. If you want to go higher we will go higher, if you want to stay low and skim the tree tops we will do that too. We can create any combination to provide you with your unique hot air adventure.
3. We are the only balloonists that fly from Leipers Fork. This provides you with breath taking views of un-touched wilderness, wildlife, and landscapes that cannot be matched by any other. Or we can come to you.
Q: Who regulates the sport of Hot Air Ballooning?
A: Our pilots are certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and required to perform regular proficiency checks. The aircraft (Hot Air Balloon) we fly are regularly inspected every 100 flight hours and given Airworthiness Certificates required by the FAA.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Please keep possesions to a minimum, there is limited space in the basket and it is best to keep the basket from being cluttered. It is strongly advised to bring a camera as there will be many opportunities for taking photos of the landscape and wildlife.
Q: What happens once I schedule my Hot Air Adventure?
A: You will receive a phone call or E-mail within 48 hours confirming the scheduled date of your flight. Our pilot will also contact you within 24 hours of your scheduled flight to confirm weather conditions also he will coordinate a meeting place and launch site selection accoarding to your needs and wind directions.
Q: How long does the whole process take?
A: Flights last between one to one and a half hours, you should allow an additional 2 hours for meeting, launching, landing, packing up, and return to your vehicle.
Q: How do we get back to our car?
A: We will meet at a specified location, you will then join us in our chase vehicle to be taken to the launch site. Once we land the chase vehicle will be at the landing site ready to return you to your vehicle.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Dress according to weather, we are moving with the winds so you will feel minimal wind. Wear tennis shoes or light hiking boots. High heels, flip flops, and open toe shoes are discouraged, some walking might be required upon landing depending on the landing site.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located in Leipers Fork about 15 miles south of Nashville Tennessee. We are available for services throughout Middle Tennessee and all the surrounding areas.
Q: Do I need a paypal account or do I have to sign up for paypal to pay with my credit card?
A: No you do not. You just enter your credit card and billing information and Paypal simply processes the payment. Paypal is regarded as one of the safest forms of online payment available.
Q: How does a hot air balloon work?
A: The envelope (top fabric portion) of the hot air balloon is heated with hot air from the burner or heating device, the air inside the envelope expands in comparison to the ambient air outside the envelope. The air wants to rise to equalize its pressure with the ambient air. Once the air inside the envelope is heated enough to overcome the weight of the balloon, basker, and passengers, the balloon starts to slowly and gently rise. When the air inside the envelope cools the balloon starts to descend. With these principles we can use the burner or heating device to control our rate of ascent, descent, or reach equalibrium to fly level. Upon landing the hot air is released from the envelope allowing it to deflate.
Q: How do you steer?
A: Hot air balloons are unique in the fact that you move with the winds, we cannot control horizontal direction however we have precise control over vertical direction, moving up and down we can catch varying wind currents which enable us to steer. We plan your flight based on the forecasted winds on the surface and aloft.
Q: How high can we go?
A: Depending on the flight options you choose for the extreme adventure we can fly up to 10,000 feet above sea level. Typical flights range anywhere from tree top level all the way up to and sometimes above 2,000 feet.
