You feel no sensation of movement because the basket moves at the same speed as the wind.

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• How high will we fly?
  Most flights take place between treetop and 6,000 feet.
• What is it like to fly in a balloon?
  You feel no sensation of movement because the basket moves at the same speed as the wind. The ground drifts below you. It’s a unique perspective and a great photo opportunity. The flight is typically serenely quiet between “burns”. Sound from below carries differently. You can hear people speaking in a normal tone from the ground below. A barking dog sounds like it’s up in the sky with you.
• What makes a balloon fly?
  Cold air is blown into the envelope, then the burner heats up the cold air in the envelope. As the air in the envelope is heated it expands and becomes less dense. This causes the air inside the envelope to weigh less than the surrounding air. When the weight of the balloon system including passengers is lighter than the surrounding air the balloon will lift off and begin to fly.
• When is the best time of day to fly?
  We fly hot air balloons year round, one flight per day at sunrise. We prefer to fly at daybreak because the air is more stable and the winds are calmer than other times of day. Midday is not good for flying due to heat, shifting wind, and thermals.
• Are there weather restrictions for flying?
  Required weather conditions are:
  • The wind speed must be less than 6 mph
  • 3 miles of visibility - horizontally
  • 3,000 ft. ceiling - vertically
  • No rain or thunderstorms within a 60 miles radius
  

• How far will the balloon travel?
  Depending on the wind speed the balloon will travel five miles an hour if the wind speed is at five miles an hour and ten miles an hour if the wind speed is at ten miles an hour.
• Does it get cold up there?
  Not really; it will be three degrees cooler for each 1000 feet we ascend. However we advise passengers to dress in layers because we fly at the coolest part of the day and one can add or remove layers during the flight to provide comfort.
• Is it Quiet?
  When the burners are not in use, your flight will be very quiet and serene. Aloft there is not even wind noise because you are moving with it. You may hear dogs barking in the distance or conversations on the ground. When the burner is “on” it is very noisy in the basket.
• Do birds ever fly into the balloons?
  Rarely; birds see the balloon and avoid it. The burners frighten most animals.
  A bird would bounce off the balloon if there was a collision.
• Can you steer a balloon?
  Not really; the balloon ascends with the warmer air and descends with the cooler air.
  The pilot can change direction by ascending or descending to a current of air moving in a different direction.