Son's Birthday present-Hot-air balloon ride

mikeesik · 03-03-2013, 08:45 PM

Hello.
I have wanted to do this for him since he was 8 years old. Problem was that- any Child to ride- must be at least 10 years of age.

I just figure something experienced like that would be remembered for the rest of his life and mine.
My Son will be 13 and I haven't brought up the ride for years.
Problem is, he is afraid of heights and so is DAD !!

I wish to surprise him this time and not ask.
Just drive him out to the country and there it is.

How safe are these hot air balloons anyways.
I'm sure I'll have to coax him when the minute comes. I would need coaxing myself.
Has anyone been up and what were your feelings?

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

No freaking way I would ever ride in a balloon. Their landings are classified as "controlled crashes". I'm sure they have their good points, but I know too many people that have had bad experiences on them.

Take a helicopter ride instead. A least it has an engine and some type of control input. Lol

rusnak · 03-03-2013, 10:09 PM

Go with a pilot who has actual fixed wing piloting experience, the more, the better.

The take off is the only scary part. The landing, if done right, is very boring and slow. I wish I had taken pictures on my hot air balloon ride. I was given one as a thank you gift, so I might go again.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

the girlfriend got me a hot air balloon ride in temecula for my birthday this year. absolute blast. not scary at all, even though i was nervous about going...the pilot was awesome. literally landed the balloon ON the trailer from the chase vehicle. prior to landing full stop, we took it down to the tree level and touched the trees, then went back up. (the pilot competes in albuquerque each year..had fixed wing experience, as well). we talked about flying and ATC the whole time.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

An incredible experience. We went up only once - in Cappadocia Turkey.

Make sure you go up with a reputable company with a licensed pilot.

Ian

onewhippedpuppy · 03-04-2013, 06:16 AM

Are you sure you want to buy your son a birthday gift that is going to terrify him? I'm all for shared experiences, but that seems like a bad way to start. Is there something else you could do together that you know he would enjoy? I bought my son tickets to the men's Big 12 basketball tournament championship game in a few weeks and I'm going to surprise him, but I know he's going to love it because he enjoys basketball.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

My daughter and her boyfriend went and did one balloon ride. It seems to take so long to get the ride because the conditions, light wind etc had to be perfect so they were on call for several days. Yes the above poster is right. If your son is afraid why bother?

bell · bell's Garage

He's only scared because of the unknown.......
Take him......with dad by his side it should be a non issue.....
We have to teach kids to face their fears so they don't grow up like all the other kids who are coddled and protected.......

herr_oberst · 03-04-2013, 07:44 AM

How about finding someone who gives rides in an old low-and-slow fixed wing, like a Piper Cub or a Taylorcraft? More than likely, the pilot will give the kid the stick and he can make a few banked turns and climb and dive a little?

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

After this, no way...

rusnak · 03-04-2013, 11:01 AM

How does a hot air balloon explode? And how do they get 19 casualties?

gacook · gacook's Garage

I think it'd be a blast. And as far as his fear of heights go, how severe is it? Is it like Bell said, just a fear of the unknown, or is it a crippling fear? If it's the former and not the latter, I'd say do it. You can use the fact that you're also scared as a way to bolster his confidence level a bit...it's always easier to tackle something new with someone you trust, especially if you know they're scared, too. And who in the world should he trust more than his father? I say do it; it'll likely be something the two of you never forget.

Deschodt · 03-04-2013, 11:33 AM

I don't like heights either, but the hot air balloon ride is very relaxing...

First off you don't go all that high, and since you are going with the wind, there is no buffeting or any unpleasant sensations, it's surprisingly cool..

Landings however... I mean it depends on how much wind is at the landing site... we got dragged down a bit, fell on top of each other, I even hurt my wrist catching my wife... Not that nice... But I'd do it again !

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

How does a hot air balloon explode? And how do they get 19 casualties?

A tending line crossed high power lines, and the tanks caught fire. The pilot and one other passenger bailed out at 300 feet before it burst into flames. The remaining 19 were killed in the 1000 foot fall once the balloon ruptured.

cashman · 03-04-2013, 12:08 PM

My wife got me a ride for my Birthday about 10+ years ago. We were going to be the second flight of day. As the first flight was powering up, flames shot into the basket like a fireball. The explosion only lasted about 3 seconds but it was pretty massive. Our video was on all the TV shows. Real TV, Good times gone bad, worst vacation disasters, etc. etc. etc.

The FAA said the cause of the explosion was due to a leaky propane tank on the ground. While the balloon is on the ground, they use auxiliary tanks to fill it up. They want to save the tank inside the basket. Once the balloon is inflated, they switch to the tanks in the basket. The problem was there was a tank leak on the ground. Propane is heavier than air so what happen was the gas ball kept building and building until it got high enough for the main flame to ignite it. It looked like the main flame was shooting all over the people in the basket but it was actually the gas ball reaching the flame and igniting on the ground.

There was about 12+ on board (Those baskets are large and can hold a lot of people when they cram them in). Most had singed hair. I recall one person had to go the the hospital. Don't wear synthenic clothing. Her nylon jacket melted to her skin.

I never took my birthday ride but I'd do it if the opportunity presented itself.

Not trying to freak you out, but you asked if anyone had any experience and I'm sure mine is an extremely rare occurance.

You can die walking across the street. I say go for it and report back.

tevake · 01:20 PM

We did a hot air balloon ride in Germany. It was really good fun, very gentle easy ride. Its a lot about the scenery and getting up for a good look around.
Here are some pics of the outing.

Wife, sons, and FIL, Family of local couple that went on the ride with us.

Started inflating with a big fan, then the burners.

Floating over a small village just after take off.

Wife's family place there in the country.

Lots of half timbering in the older villeges in this part of germany

Sunflower field.

Nice trip, with an excellent pilot.

Amail · 03-04-2013, 12:55 PM

I loved my one and only balloon ride. I never got that queezy vertigo feeling of being too high. I think being in the basket just makes you feel secure.

It was brilliant. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

EMJ · 03-04-2013, 01:15 PM

Too dangerous. Take him go-karting or something he'd enjoy. No need to make the kid scared on his b'day.

mikeesik · 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

How about finding someone who gives rides in an old low-and-slow fixed wing, like a Piper Cub or a Taylorcraft? More than likely, the pilot will give the kid the stick and he can make a few banked turns and climb and dive a little?

Hello.
We've done that...twice!
At first he was afraid and then he consumed the whole event with excitement.
Actually he wishes to become an ATC.

He's also was able to be a Locomotive Engineer for a few hours , driving the largest beast a C144-W.
I was very envious as I did NOT have the opportunity- to play- touch the throttle nor brakes and not even able to couple!!