F.A.Q.
flying in a high sided balloon basket is not like standing in a roof or a high ladder. you don't get that vertigo feeling. it is more like the ground is unfolding beneath you and because you are moving with the wind, there is no wind blowing. the basket does not rock or sway so you can't possibly fall out.
No. The turbulence which usually causes motion sickness is completely absent in a balloon ride. the flight of a balloon is almost too smooth to describe.
It depends on the wind speed. hot air balloons travel with the wind and 1 hour flight can carry it up to 25 kms, sometimes more, sometimes less. the balloon also flies at different altitudes. although the balloon is at the mercy of the wind when it comes to direction, the vertical control of a balloon can be very precise. it is not unusual for the pilots to be able to brush the bottom of the basket across the tops of trees, or inches from the ground.
Balloons normally fly below 2500 feet, all within federal aviation regulations. at these altitudes you will be able to observe people and animals as time seems to stand still for awhile.
Yes indeed! As long as you're properly dressed, winter flying can be incredibly beautiful. the air is frequently clearer, and visibility much improved (75-100 km visibility is often possible). because trees are bare, it's also easier to spot wildlife. the only concern may be that access to landing sites may be more difficult if there is significant snow cover.
The answer is very safe. Hot air ballooning has the best safety record of any form of flying. we only fly when conditions are safe, our pilots are highly qualified and all are licensed.
Almost all cappadocia!!!!.depending on the altitude, you will see the kizilirmak river, damsa dam, goreme valley, zelve valley, red valley, love valley, the uchisar castle, ortahisar castle and the picturesque towns and small villages within cappadocia or on a clear day, the volcanoes of cappadocia (mt.erciyes, mt.hasan and mt.melendiz) and the aladaglar. you may also be lucky enough to see tourus mountains. no other form of flight offers such a nature.
No special clothing or equipment is required for ballooning. just dress as you would to spend three to four hours in the countryside. you will be able to judge the temperature on the day of the flight; it is seldom any colder in the air than on the ground, but especially in the early morning you may find it necessary to bring a jacket or sweater to put on. clothes made of natural fibres, such as wool or cotton, are preferred. nylon garments are not to be recommended. you should wear flat shoes that are reasonably strong. walking shoes, sports shoes or boots are ideal.
balloons need stable winds to operate effectively and the hours just following sunrise are the best for finding these winds. since balloons move with the air, the weather is very important in deciding to whether or not to fly. the pilot chooses a launch site to use the wind currents to fly towards a suitable landing site. the whole experience lasts 3 to 4 hours, so you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the many attractions of the cappadocia.
A balloon flies better in cooler weather since the hot air gets a better "lift". balloonists usually fly just after dawn or before dusk, because there is less wind at these times.
Rain, fog, low cloud cover, too much wind or not enough wind are the typical weather conditions that will prompt us to postpone a scheduled flight. we consider a wind speed of 10 knots as the upper threshold for safety. even at that, launches and landings can be hazardous. each pilot will make his own decision whether or not it is safe to fly. not enough wind? unlike a boat becalmed on water, a balloon can only wait as long as its fuel supply allows and we prefer to have a choice of landing sites. and, of course, an hour or so of going nowhere isn't much of an adventure. we know that it can be a big disappointment to have your special flight postponed, but there is a saying that " it is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground! "
weather is obviously an important factor in ballooning. about an hour or so before flight time, we do a weather check to get the information we need to plan the flight. we'll give you a call soon afterwards and let you know for that final “weather confirmation”. if we do have to cancel the flight because of weather conditions, of course, there is no charge to our passengers. we usually will be able to fly the following day. it is highly recommended that you keep a couple of “optional” days in mind when making your balloon ride reservation, just in case there is a weather cancellation.