Balloon Flights
 
 

Welcome to the Old World charm of a balloon flight. Here we will answer some of your questions about your upcoming adventure. If you have any further questions feel free to call the office, or, after checking in you will meet your FAA licensed pilot who will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have.
 
 

To Book Your Flight

Call the Balloon Depot office at (877) 881-9699, or (360) 805-1538, and schedule the date most convenient to you. Have your certificate handy when you call, as you will be asked for your certificate number. In summer it is a good idea to schedule a week ahead of time.

Your booking made, you may now sit back in anticipation. Our staff, pilots and crew will do everything to make your flight a memorable one.
 
 

Before Leaving Home

Please do not leave home without calling our office and confirming that the flight has not been canceled due to adverse weather. ALL FLIGHTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING. Balloons cannot fly in rain, fog or unsafe wind speeds... for your pleasure as well as your safety. YOU MAY HAVE TO SCHEDULE MORE THAN ONCE before the weather allows your flight to happen; again your safety is our main concern. Please note that your certificate has an expiration date and will not be valid after that date. Allow time to make several bookings before it expires. You should budget around 3 to 3&1/2 hours for the whole event, and we plan on being in the air for around one hour.

Do bring your camera and don’t forget film! Camcorders are also OK. Big camera bags will have to be left in the chase vehicle.

Dress comfortably. We recommend casual sportswear, comfortable shoes and perhaps a cap for taller passengers. Evening flights end at sunset so you may want to bring a jacket to wear after you land.

All passengers must sign a waiver release before flight. You can do this at check-in, or we’d be happy to send you one by request. Last but not least, there are no restrooms where you are going. Please make that your last stop before leaving home!
 
 

After Checking In

You will meet your pilot and crew, who will be driving you to the launch site. As each balloon has an assigned chase vehicle you may leave coats, bags, etc., in the vehicle. Be assured your crew will be with it until your flight ends.

Your pilot is an FAA certified commercial pilot. The Balloon Depot has been in business for 20 years, and has gathered some of the most experienced and knowledgeable pilots available. If you are interested in learning to fly they are all certified flight instructors as well!

Prior to your arrival at our meeting area our pilots have been busy obtaining weather reports from the area Flight Service Stations. When you arrive you will probably see them launching pibals (pilot balloons). By watching these balloons climb, they determine local wind speed and direction. Based on that information we will choose the best launch site for the conditions that day. At the launch site the pilots will probably launch another pibal. If everything is a go you may give your pilot a hand if you wish in the inflation. When the balloon is ready your pilot will ask you to "climb aboard". Jump in and get ready for the thrill of a lifetime.
 
 

On Your Flight

You will rise above the earth to drift over the countryside on a safe yet exhilarating flight. Since we are always drifting at the same speed and direction of the ever-changing winds, each flight is truly an adventure toward an unknown and unplanned landing site. We may brush through the treetops, sweep down over a field of wildflowers, skim over a pond, or fly high above the earth for a spectacular view. Every flight is a unique experience. We will search for winds at between 500 and 5000 feet or more to find the most favorable directions available. Most of the time we will fly between 1000 and 2000 feet.
 
 

What If I’m Afraid of Heights?

We don’t know why but flying in balloons does not bother most people who are afraid of heights. Perhaps it is due to the reassuring bulk of the balloon directly overhead, but folks who normally are bothered by heights enjoy flying in balloons.
 
 

Is it Cold up There?

No colder than it is on the ground. Dress for whatever conditions you find on the ground that day. We will be traveling with the wind, so there is no wind chill to account for.
 
 

The Landing

While you are aloft, our dependable ground crew constantly tracks your flight and is in radio communication with your pilot. When we touch down, the ground crew will assist your pilot in securing the balloon. Everyone joins in the deflation, packing away of the balloon and post-flight celebration, when we will bring to an end a memorable adventure shared between new friends.
 
 

Your Reservation
 
 

Date___________________________________
 
 

Time___________________________________
 
 

Balloon flights are always weather permitting. Balloons cannot fly in rain, fog or unsafe wind speeds. For this reason you may have to schedule your flight again. Please call the Balloon Depot office 2 hours before flight time to confirm your flight is "on".
 
 

Cancellation Policy

No shows and flights cancelled by passengers within 48 hours of reservation will forfeit certificates. Flight certificates are transferable though no refunds can be made.
 
 

To Our New Friends

Each year during the first weekend in March, we fly over the snow-covered Methow Valley. For those who have flown with us over the past year we offer a two-day stay in the old frontier town of Winthrop. Accommodations, meals, a balloon flight and a memory to treasure forever for very little more than a local balloon flight. Ask your pilot or crew for details!