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Hot Air Balloon Frequently Asked QuestionsDo you have gift certificates? What is the refund and cancellation policy? What is the cost? Who may fly, and are there a minimum number of passengers required? When and where do you fly, and for how long? How high, how fast, and how far will we fly? How do I dress and what should I bring? What about motion, airsickness, and fear of heights?
When and where do you fly, and for how long? We fly the first hour after sunrise and the last hour or so before sunset; meeting times for flights vary with sunrise and sunset time based on the time of year that you fly. Balloons only fly these times of day due to the lack of thermal activity, for safety, and to take advantage of calm winds. Flights may be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date at any time of the year. We fly in the northern portions of Maryland’s Harford and Baltimore counties as well as southern Pennsylvania. The scenery is rural and picturesque. While we meet passengers at either North Harford High School or Bel Air High School, we have nearly three-dozen launch sites located throughout the flying area. Which launch site we select is based upon wind speed and direction on the day of your flight. The entire adventure lasts 2.5 to 3.5 hours from start to finish with approximately an hour spent aloft. It entails picking you up at one of the two meeting locations and transporting you in our vehicle to a launch site. Once on the launch site it takes twenty to thirty minutes to inflate the balloon. We fly for an hour, land, pack everything up, have a champagne or sparkling cider toast, and return you to your vehicle. How high, how fast, and how far will we fly? We usually fly at tree top height to enjoy an “aerial nature walk.” Our altitude is dependent upon the wind and what is below us, but generally up to 1,000 feet and sometimes higher. We fly in light winds of ten miles per hour or less. Our speed is that of the wind and distance will vary with the speed. We generally fly from four to eight miles on a flight. Where we fly from and to will be based solely on the wind. What about motion, airsickness, and fear of heights? There is no sensation of motion in a balloon. It is completely tranquil and stable. It is inexplicable that there is also no sensation of height in a balloon. Even the most faint of heart and those fearful of heights find the basket very secure and relaxing moments after takeoff. In 22 years we have flown hundreds of passengers who, before the flight, were absolutely certain that a balloon was the device specifically designed to torture them. They have been dragged, cajoled, brow beaten, and shamed into flying by Moms, Dads, Brothers, Sisters, Husbands, Wives, Friends and significant others. To date, we have never had anyone take us up on the offer to land early and deliver them back to Mother Earth. This includes a person who crosses the Bay Bridge while lying on the floor of the back seat of the car! We have never had anyone say they wouldn’t do it again! It takes five minutes for you to realize that your fears were unfounded and that this experience is just plain fun. How do I dress and what should I bring? Dress as you would for any outdoor activity. If you are comfortable on the ground you will be comfortable in the air. In fact, you may actually be warmer aloft due to the radiant heat produced by the burners, making a cap or hat a good idea for those who are tall or sensitive to heat. We suggest long pants and footwear appropriate for walking in fields. Skirts, shorts, sandals, and high heels are not recommended due to the fact that we may be walking in fields with less than good footing and the occasional bramble. For safety reasons, natural fiber clothing, such as cotton, is preferable to synthetics. Bring a camera to record your adventure and to take advantage of the unobstructed view. Decide how much film you might use and then bring at least twice as much! Due to limited space in the basket, large camera bags, purses, backpacks, and coolers are best left in our vehicle. As with all aviation, weather is the most critical aspect affecting balloon flight. Rain, threat of rain, storms, breezy winds on the surface or aloft are all reasons for postponing a flight. If your pilot feels that flying conditions may be unsafe, we will reschedule your flight to the next mutually agreeable date and time. We hold days open each week to accommodate rescheduled passengers. We are often asked which is better, the morning or evening? Frankly we enjoy them all. Our morning flights capture the awakening of Mother Earth and the warmth of the early morning sun while our evening flights enjoy the splendor of spectacular sunsets. Every flight is unique. Morning flights are recommended over evening flights during the hot months; the cooler it is, the more enjoyable it is. As for the time of year, spring bloom and fall foliage are two of our busiest times of the year. All flights are by reservation and with more notice there is a greater likelihood of getting the date that you wish. Generally, weekdays book one week in advance and weekends book two weeks in advance. All flights are first come, first served and based on unpredictable demand; do not hesitate to call on short notice; we are often able to accommodate passengers. What is the cost? Who may fly, and are there a minimum number of passengers required? The champagne charter flight is our basic ride and the fare is $220.00 per passenger plus 6% tax. A deposit of $100 per passenger is required to book a flight or to obtain a gift certificate. The balance of the payment is due at the time of flight. Rides may be paid for in full if you wish. We accept personal checks and all major credit cards. You must be a minimum of 8 years old, there is no maximum age, and no minimum number of passengers is required; nearly thirty percent of our passengers are singles. We operate ten aircraft with capacities ranging from two to ten passengers. What is the refund and cancellation policy? Our refund policy is one of the most lenient in the business. Refunds will be made for any reason within six months after purchase, less fifteen percent. Changing passengers, or transferring a certificate to someone else is permitted and there is no cost to do so. Canceling a scheduled flight with insufficient notice for us to find replacement passengers, failing to show for a flight, or a late arrival that causes you to miss the flight, will result in the forfeiture of funds paid. The information contained in this brochure is subject to change without notice. Do you have gift certificates? Gift certificates are available and ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings, and any other special occasion. It is truly a gift that the recipient will never forget. We offer a complete selection of embroidered hats, shirts, sweatshirts and outerwear to accompany your certificate, if you so desire.
Barnstormer Aero Frequently Asked QuestionWhere will we fly and for how long? How do I dress and what should I bring? Do you have gift certificates?
All flights depart from Harford County Airport (Aldino or 0W3) in Churchville, MD. The airfield is located approximately 2 miles off MD route 22 on Route 156, Aldino Road. Take I-95 north to exit 85, take Route 22 towards Churchville and turn right onto Route 156. Go approximately 2 miles and the airfield will be on your left. You may park in the lot and meet us at the picnic tables. If you do not see the airplane it means that we have not returned from the previous flight. Have a seat and we will be with you shortly – the office located next to the picnic tables is Harford Air Service, which is not affiliated with Barnstormer Aero. Flights may be scheduled any day of the week at a mutually agreeable date and time from May thru October. We only fly in the moderate temperature months for comfort reasons; remember it is an open cockpit! Passengers must call to schedule their flight. Morning flights are recommended over evening flights during the hot months as the cool, smooth air makes for a more enjoyable flight. All flights are by reservation and with greater notice there is a greater likelihood of getting the date that you wish. Generally, weekdays book several days in advance and week ends book one or two weeks in advance. All flights are first come, first served and based on unpredictable demand; do not hesitate to call on short notice, as we are often able to accommodate passengers. All flights are conducted weather permitting. If your pilot feels that flying conditions may be unsafe, we will reschedule your flight to the next mutually agreeable date and time. We hold days open each week to accommodate rescheduled passengers. Rain, threat of rain or storms, and forecasts for breezy, windy, or gusty conditions will be cause for rescheduling a flight. Poor visibility, and turbulence aloft can also postpone a flight. Where will we fly and for how long? Your flight distance and duration will be determined by the package that was purchased. You may upgrade your flight at the time you schedule your ride or at the time of flight, if the schedule permits. All flights of thirty minutes or more will permit the passenger to choose the direction of flight. Direction of flight is also dictated by airspace restrictions and prohibited areas. Your pilot will discuss your wishes and accommodate you within the confines of the Federal Air Regulations. One passenger may fly at a time. The airplane was designed for a student and an instructor. If more than one person wishes to fly, they will be flown individually on consecutive flights. How do I dress and what should I bring? Dress should be casual and comfortable for the wind and slightly decreased temperatures aloft. Fine clothing is not recommended as oil and lubricants are always present around airplanes. A helmet and goggles will be provided – the silk scarf is optional. If you bring a camera it must have a neck or wrist strap that is used during the entire flight. Changing of film is not permitted in flight. The reason for this rule is that anything dropped into the belly of the airplane, be it a camera, film, or a film canister, is not easily retrieved and could possibly lodge in the controls! It is for safety reasons that we ask passengers to remove anything that could be easily lost prior to boarding. Do you have gift certificates? Gift certificates are available and ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings, and any other special occasion. Certificates are valid for one year, May thru October, and permit the passenger to schedule their flight at their leisure. It is truly a gift that the recipient will never forget. We accept personal checks and all major credit cards. We offer a complete selection of embroidered hats, shirts, sweatshirts and outerwear to accompany your certificate, if you so desire. Our refund policy is one of the most lenient in the business. Refunds will be made for six months after purchase, less 15%. Changing passengers, or transferring a certificate to someone else is permitted and there is no cost to do so. Canceling a scheduled flight with less than 72 hours notice, failing to show for a flight, or a late arrival that causes you to miss the flight, will result in the forfeiture of funds paid if we cannot find replacement passengers. The information contained in this brochure is subject to change without notice.
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Light Flight Balloons & Barnstormer Aero
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