Bella Balloons Blog

One of the most common questions asked by passengers or those booking hot air balloon flights is, “How do we get back to the launch site?”.

Good question. We mention in the website that a typical hot air balloon rental flight travels between 6 and 12 miles, but in which direction?  Hot air balloons travel in the direction of the prevailing winds, which on any given day could be east, west, north or south.  That’s right-you CAN travel west in a hot air balloon.  In fact, you can launch a balloon from the same location on 7 consecutive days of the week and travel in 7 very different directions.  The prevailing winds are dictated by the position of high and low pressure systems, which move continuously.

The answer?  A hot air balloon rental not only includes a flight, champagne, souvenir glasses, certificates, etc but also includes transportation back to the launch site by our professional and courteous flight crew!

Once a launch site is determined, the pilot and crew team study both the projected flight path as forecasted from multiple weather sources, but also build their own projection by launching small latex pilot balloons at the launch site to confirm current wind direction/speed.  Based on the direction of the pilot balloon(s), the flight crew builds a theoretical flight path.

Following the launch, the crew chief travels in the chase vehicle and trailer underneath the balloon.  During the hot air balloon flight, the pilot and crew chief remain in contact via radios.  Towards the end of the flight, the crew coordinates the exact landing location.  Since Cincinnati and Dayton Hot Air Balloon Rides don’t include any mountainous terrain, radio transmissions are very reliable, but we also carry cell phones for back-up communications.

Upon landing, the crew team packs up the hot air balloon and transports everyone back to the launch site.  So, no walking or hitch hiking is required!!!