What is a Balloon Tether?

A Hot Air Balloon Exhibition is also known as a "Balloon Tethered Operation".  This is where we bring a Hot Air Balloon to your location and inflate and operate the balloon onsite using a series of ropes to hold the balloon in place during the time the balloon is in operation.

A Balloon Tether is still classified as a flight operation and all of the local and FAA regulations apply.  A visit to the location may be required by one of our pilots.

HERE IS HOW YOU GET ONE!

Step 1

The first thing we must do is a site survey.  Click here to purchase a site survey The Site survey is done to see "if" we can even do a flight operation at your location.

Step 2

Getting the results of your Site Survey.  Once the site survey is complete we will send you an email letting you know the results of your survey along with a link to the Balloon Tether Exhibition contract page.

Step 3

Complete a contract.  When you get the survey results you can use the link to fill out your exhibition contract.  Once you have completed the contract you will be able to place your deposit right here online.  You will receive a printed and signed contract in the mail in a few days.
What are the space requirements for the Balloon?

Hot air balloons are much bigger than people realize.  Balloons come in different sizes from a one man balloon to as large as an 18 passenger balloon.  For the Tether operations we use a balloon that carries a pilot plus 2 passengers.  This size seems to be the best size for this type of operation.

For this balloon we would need an area about the size of Half a football field or 200 feet by 200 feet.  This area must be clear of any obstacles of any kind and must be able to be driven on by our support vehicles.

What are the best times of day.

Since a balloon is so large, any wind at all can make handling the balloon almost impossible and potentially dangerous.  See Wind Limits below.  There are two times of day when the wind will most likely be at or below our limits, These time would be the first few hours of daylight in the morning and the last few hours of daylight before sunset.

How many people can ride?

The number of passengers depends on many factors.  The wind is the most variable of these factors.  Wind, Size of the Balloon, Height of the ride, Size of the Area, Length of Ride and size of the passengers are the major factors.  On the average we can take the balloon up to the top of the ropes and back down in an average of 5 minutes.  This would ideally mean that we could make 12 such trips in one hour.  If we take 2 people on each trip, then you will average 40 passengers in one hour, in one balloon.

NOTE: Passengers are not required.  You may have a balloon at your location strictly for ambiance. 

What are the costs of a Tethered Balloon operation?

2 hour exhibition (Tether)

No Passengers

A Tethered Balloon operation (no passengers) costs as follows. A $1,500.00 deposit is required for the first hour of operation and $750 for the following hour.  Once a site survey has been completed you will be sent an email with a link were you can fill out an online contract and place your deposit.  Once the deposit has been made a paper copy will be sent to the address on file.  Total cost for this exhibition is $2,250.00.  A 50% refund of the deposit will be made if the event is cancelled or weathered out. (Non-flyable)

2 hour exhibition (Tether)

With Passengers

A Tethered Balloon operation (With passengers) costs as follows. A $2,000.00 deposit is required for the first hour of operation and $1,000.00 for the following hour.  Once a site survey has been completed you will be sent an email with a link were you can fill out an online contract and place your deposit.  Once the deposit has been made a paper copy will be sent to the address on file.  Total cost for this exhibition is $3,000.00.  A 50% refund of the deposit will be made if the event is cancelled or weathered out. (Non-flyable)

4 hour exhibition (Tether)

No Passengers

A Tethered Balloon operation costs as follows. A $3,000.00 deposit is required for the first hour of operation and $750 for hours two and three.  Once a site survey has been completed you will be sent an email with a link were you can fill out an online contract and place your deposit.  Once the deposit has been made a paper copy will be sent to the address on file.  Total cost for this exhibition is $4,500.00.  A 50% refund of the deposit will be made if the event is cancelled or weathered out. (Non-flyable)

4 hour exhibition (Tether)

With Passengers

A Tethered Balloon operation costs as follows. A $3,500.00 deposit is required for the first hour of operation and $1250 for each of hours three and four.  Once a site survey has been completed you will be sent an email with a link were you can fill out an online contract and place your deposit.  Once the deposit has been made a paper copy will be sent to the address on file.  Total cost for this exhibition is $6,000.00.  A 50% refund of the deposit will be made if the event is cancelled or weathered out. (Non-flyable)

Travel Fees

For events within 50 miles of our home base in Orlando Florida there are no travel fees.  Travel outside of our area are charged separately based on your location.  A 75 cent per mile travel fee will be charged for single day events.  Events 150 miles or more outside our area require an overnight stay.  A $145 Lodging and meals expense will be added for each overnight required.

What if the weather is bad?

We will still be on site!  If the weather is bad then of course we will not take any chances with peoples lives.  In fact in over 40 years of balloon flight operations we have never had anyone hurt.   We hate to disappoint someone but we refuse to hurt anyone.  Our balloon pilots and support crews are true professionals.  If the day comes and we are not able to conduct a flight operation our teams will be onsite with all the equipment for the contracted time of the tether.  We will display all of the balloon equipment, answer questions, let people get into the balloon basket and take photos and generate good will for you and your event as well as take the time to inform and educate the public about hot air balloons.  The disappointment will soon fade when you get the response from your guests about how informative and professional our teams are!  Please Understand,  We can not guarantee the weather and will not take chances with the safety of your guests or our equipment!

Wind Limits
Winds are the most crucial part of a tethered balloon operation. The best way we have found over the years to explain how a balloon will react in wind is this....
Take a kite out on a day when the wind is blowing about 10 to 12 MPH.  You can very easily fly the kite. In fact the kite will produce enough pulling force to lift the weight of the kite and string and still produce an extra 3 to 4 pounds of pulling force on your arm.  A kite is one square yard of fabric.  A Hot Air Balloon is more than 1400 square yards of fabric! When a gust of wind hits a stationary balloon it can create a concave depression in the side of the balloon catching even more of the wind creating a sail effect.  A Hot Air Balloon in winds can create around 4 to 6 thousand pounds of pulling force.  Enough force to drag a couple of pickup trucks like a two year old child pulling a Tonka truck.
If the wind becomes gusty at any time these forces can be greatly increased creating a  serious and potentially life threatening situation.  On all of our tethered operations the Pilot In Command has the final and undisputed authority.
The Pilots decision is FINAL!

How do I set up a Hot Air Balloon Tether?

First use this form to give us your location and dates.  We will start with a site survey.  Upon completion of this form you will be directed to pay a small site survey fee of $75.  One of our pilots will look at your venue and use google earth and a few other tools to determine if a physical site survey is needed.  We will make arrangements for one of our Pilots to come and look at your location.  An additional survey fee may apply.  This fee is determined by several factors including travel distance from our home base of Orlando Florida.  A physical Site Survey fee is determined on a case by case basis.  Many times we can complete a satisfactory virtual survey.  We will also look at the airspace requirements in your area to see if we can legally operate in your location.  If our inspection and research shows that you are a potential candidate for a tether operation we will send you an exhibition contract and a link where you can make a deposit payment in any form you wish.

To schedule a Hot Air Balloon exhibition you must start with a site survey.  CLICK HERE TO START

What else should I be concerned with?

Nothing.

Go on,  plan the rest of your event and do not worry about the balloon tether.  We have all the required insurances and will take care of any local permits needed.  We have done hundreds of operations all around the country and provide a completely hassle free program for your event.

Keep in mind, and we can not say this enough.  The entire operation is dependent on the weather.  When mother nature is cooperative this will be the icing on the cake for your event.  This will be the thing that your guests talk about the most.

We have a spotless safety record.  Our badge of honor is our 100% safety record and we will not take chances, PERIOD.  Your best bet for good weather is early morning or late afternoon.