Chautauqua County's first Hot Air Balloon
ride company, Sky Sail Balloons Inc., was founded in 1989. The
company is also the areas first commerical balloon operation.
The chief pilot and owner Geoff Turner (Sky Sailor) was trained
by internationally known champion Balloonist at World Balloon
Corp. located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the undisputed world
capital of ballooning. All pilots in command for ride operations
at Sky Sail Balloons Inc. are F.A.A.certified Commerical Balloon
Pilots rated for balloons with airborne heaters.Sky Sail Balloons
Inc. is insured and operates U.S. registry, state of the art,
balloon equipment with valid air worthiness certifcates.The once
in a lifetime experience you'll want to do again.make your gathering
a thing to remember. F.A.A. certified flight Instruction.Tehered
rides, Fly out, Banner display.New or used, buy from us. The
Journey Begins as passengers and crew busily assemble the equipment.
The pilot confirms that the weather conditions are suitable for
the flight and briefs the passengers as to the safety procedures
for the flight. The set up and inflation only take 15 minutes,
however, there are sometimes weather delays for fog in the morning
or for winds to calm in the evening. The inflation begins as
a large motorized fan blows cold air into the envelope (the fabric
portion of the balloon). Hearts race as the seven story Kaleidoscope
of colors rises from the ground. After the balloon is fully inflated
with cold air the burners are fired into the throat of the envelope.
The balloon rises to become upright. Passengers board and the
balloon is prepared for flight.The launch is smooth, and any
breeze ceases as the balloon joins with the wind and becomes
one with the sky. "Its not at all as I imagined," is
a frequent route of many first time balloon passengers. "It's
as if your standing on a platform and the world drops from below
you. There is no sense of motion". The rush of emotions
calms as a panoramic vista unfolds. The balloon climbs to altitudes
of 500 to 1500 feet above the ground. On clear days it is possible
to see 100 miles. Most interest is much closer at hand as friends
wave (in a balloon everyone is your friend). Dogs frequently
bark their cautious warning, though usually not until it's clear
that the magical beast has past them by. The occasional toot
of a horn or shout from below can be easily heard. The silence
between burns is ethereal in its calm
Before you know its time to land. (Flights
normally last one hour) Unlike airplanes, balloons rarely land
at established airports. The pilot selects the most suitable
landing site. The ground crew who have following by "chase
vehicle" on the ground, are contacted to let them know the
pilots intentions and so they may obtain permission from the
landowner. Upon landing, the envelope is deflated and packed
into a chase vehicle. This is a job where many hands make light
work. Passengers and onlookers are invited to get first hand
experience if they're interested. The festivities draw to a close
with champagne or nonalcoholic sparkling grape juice and the
presentation of the Sky Sail Balloons Inc. Aeronaut pin to proudly
acclaim the passengers accomplishment. The landowner is thanked.
Passengers are given a ride back to the launch field. The ride
back is usually full of stories. The crew collects adjectives
about the flight, the highlights have been "Fantandabulus"
and "Primordial" and some not suitable for print.May
the winds welcome you with softness,May the sun bless you with
his warm hands,May you fly so high and so well,That God joins
with you in laughter,And sets you gently back into,The loving
arms of Mother Earth.
Take the hot air balloon ride of your
lifetime. Great sightseeing, hot air ballons, hot air ballon
rides, chautauqua, new york, aviation, balloon sales, rides,
equipment, tethered rides, new york, sightseeing, balloon rides,
world ballon corporation, westfield, jamestown, event promotions,
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crown hill stone, new mexico, albuquerque, buffalo, fredonia.
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from the air
