BUHABS - 10-Step Guide to Hot Air Ballooning
Here is our 10-step guide to what we get up to when we take the University hot air balloon on our flights. To be involved, please purchase membership here!
Step 1 - Flights go live!
Ballooning requires calm conditions which are typically found in the mornings and evenings. Therefore there are four possible flying slots each weekend (Saturday and Sunday, AM and PM). The weather and ground conditions dictate how many of these slots are flyable - our pilots study forecasts during the week, and a decision will be made often on Thursday which slots look promising. Members will be alerted by email and can grab a ticket to book their place to come in the van.
Step 2 - Meet at the SU
As long as conditions still look promising, and ticket holders have been in contact with the pilot to confirm arrangements, we meet at the Students’ Union (Richmond Building) at the detailed meet time. In the summer, this can be quite early in the morning - make sure to set several alarms! The van will pull up on the corner of Queen’s Road/Gordon Road. Pick-ups can be arranged if you live a long way from the Union, for example, halls in North Village (Stoke Bishop).
Step 3 - Drive to the launch field
Where we launch from depends on wind direction. Sometimes it is within Bristol, sometimes outside the city. Most launch sites are within a 25 minute drive from the SU.
Step 4 - Final checks and inflation
The pilot makes final checks and explains everyone’s roles in readying the balloon for flight. Then it is time to get the balloon and basket out of the trailer, lay it out and begin inflation!
Step 5 - Take off!
We have space in the basket for 4, including pilot(s). For those flying, they finish their inflation role and climb into the basket. The retrieve crew step back and let the balloon take its weight and lift off the ground! If everything is ready, the pilot will unclip the restraint holding them down and away they go!
Step 6 - Retrieve commences
For those still on the ground, it’s an excellent sight watching the balloon float away - take a few photos and then it’s time to pack everything back into the van and trailer and give chase! The driver will know a rough direction, and will need help keeping an eye on the balloon in the sky to stay on course.
Step 7 - Meanwhile, flight is underway
The passengers in the basket enjoy stunning views of southwest England as they travel with the gentle wind for around 45-60 minutes. Take loads of photos and enjoy the calmness as you float along - there’s nothing quite like it!
Step 8 - Balloon lands and reunites with ground team
In hot air ballooning, you rarely know exactly where you will land in the end; a good landing spot is selected by the pilot from the air at the right time in the flight. All going well, the van isn’t far behind! Where possible, we find the landowner before bringing the van to meet the balloon, and have a gift on hand to thank them for use of their field.
Step 9 - Packing up the balloon
Under the direction of the pilot, everyone helps to get the envelope back in its bag, pack up the burner and refill the van and trailer.
Step 10 - Journey back to Bristol
Time to head back! If not too rushed, we might stop at a cafe for breakfast (if it's a morning flight), or head straight back to Bristol to get back to normality! We grab cash off those who flew, and head back to the Union and drop everyone where we picked them up.
