CMN Balloon Team

How big is the Children's Miracle Network Balloon?

It is approximately 70 feet tall and 60 feet wide and holds 105,000 cubic feet of air inside the balloon. The envelope (the fabric) weighs 275lbs in the bag.  The gondola (basket) with full fuel weighs approximately 700lbs.

What is Hot Air Ballooning Like?
Hot air balloon flights are ultimately one of the most breathtaking rides that you’ll ever experience. It’s incredible how you will feel as you slowly lift off the ground and float in the air like a fluffy white cloud. As you descend, you may brush over the tree tops or even do a “splash-n-dash” in a nearby lake. When you land, depending on the graces of “Mother Nature“, you could float down to the ground like a feather or at times you could experience a series of “bumps”. The best way to find out what a hot air balloon ride is like is to experience it for yourself.

How Safe is Ballooning?
Hot air ballooning is very safe. Our pilots and crew will do everything possible to ensure that your flight is very safe. They regularly attend safety seminars so that they are up-to-date on all of the safety rules and regulations. At anytime if the pilot-in-charge feels that the conditions are not safe for the passengers, crew or the equipment, he will cancel the flight and reschedule it at your earliest convenience. Safety is our team’s number one priority! The CMN Balloon Team wants you to have a very safe and enjoyable flight!

Are You Insured?
Yes. All hot air balloons must be insured. We carry our insurance through The Schantz Agency, Insurance Company. Our aircraft is also registered with the FAA.

Who Enjoys Hot Air Ballooning?
Everyone! Our passengers have ranged from kids to parents to grandparents and everyone in between! Hot air ballooning is very exciting and loads of fun. We think that everyone should try at least once - even those of you who are “afraid of heights”.

How many passengers can you take up at a time in the balloon?
There are many different sized balloons that can carry anywhere from 1 - 12+ people at a time. The Children's Miracle Network balloon is an AX-8-105 which can carry 2 - 3 passengers along with our pilot.

How long does a balloon flight last?
During ideal flying conditions, the flight lasts approximately 45 - 90 minutes. We cannot make any guarantees as to the duration, distance or visibility of the flight as these variables depend upon the weather, the winds, fuel consumption, and landing site availability.

When do balloons fly?
Winds are generally most favorable the first hours after sunrise and the last hours before sunset. The suns uneven heating of the earth's surface causes strong, variable winds. In the morning, it takes a few hours for the sun to heat the earth's surface enough to generate the thermal activity that creates wind. In the evening, the suns intensity has diminished enough to reduce winds to acceptable flight levels. Ideal winds are 3 to 6 mph.

What do I Wear and Bring?
We recommend that you dress in comfortable casual clothing such as jeans, t-shirt, sneakers or boots. Be sure that you wear clothing that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty since the fields we land in can be wet or muddy. We also recommend dressing in layers during the cooler months. DO NOT wear dresses, sandals, high heels or any other clothing that you do not want to get messed up.

Bring along your camera. Some of the greatest pictures of the surrounding area can be taken from 500 feet in the air so bring lots of film and a protective case for landing...we don't want to scratch anything. We are not responsible for any belongings that could fall out the basket though! You may also want to bring a pair of binoculars but remember space is limited so keep your carry-on's to a minimum.

Is Health a Consideration?
Yes. Since our passengers stand during the flight and because there is some agility needed during the loading / unloading of the balloon, we do not recommend that pregnant women, people with injuries to head, back, neck or legs or anyone with recent surgery to fly. If you do have any special needs, please be sure to let us know so we can make any prearrangement that may be necessary.

Can I Help with the Setup?
Yes, in addition to your flight, you will have the opportunity to participate "hands on" during the setup and/or pack up, just let a crew member know and they will be glad to let you help.

How do Balloons Fly?
Hot air balloons use the basic principles of gravity and cold & hot air. We use an inflator fan to fill the balloon envelope up with cold air, then we use burners to heat it up with hot air to make it stand upright. Once in the air when the pilot wants to descend, he lets the air in the balloon cool. When he wants to rise, he heats the air up again. This is very helpful when the pilot wants to “catch” the higher or lower winds in order to change their direction. This is also how the pilot “steers” the balloon.

When was the first balloon flight?
The first flight in a hot air balloon was on September 19, 1783 in Versailles, France. A sheep, a duck and a rooster where the first passengers. The first “manned” flight was on November 21, 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers took a flight in Paris, France.

The first hot air balloon flight in America was on January 9, 1789. George Washington was there to see the balloon leave Philadelphia, PA. It went from Philadelphia across the Delaware River and landed in Deptford, NJ.

What fuel do balloons use and how high do they fly?
Hot air Balloons use liquid propane for fuel. Hot air balloonist usually fly anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 feet AGL. It varies depending on winds and the direction that they are trying to go.

Do you need a pilot's license to fly a Hot-Air Balloon?
Yes. Our Pilot, Jon Thompson is a FAA licensed LTA. Commercial pilot. He has over 25 years experience in balloons and is a  member of the Balloon Federation of America and the AOPA.

To become an FAA licensed LTA Commercial licensed pilot the pilot must have at least 35 hours of flight time, of which at least 20 must be in balloons (the remaining 15 hours may be in other aircraft). The commercial pilot must pass an additional written, oral, and flight check prior to being issued a commercial pilots license. The holder of a commercial pilots license may operate a balloon for hire and may give flight instruction. For additional requirements on both ratings, please consult FAA Regulation Part 61 for details.