I wanted to write a review of our experience because I have some insight of air travel. I am a welder for a company that makes / builds Super Cubs in Minnesota. I was skeptical of air balloons because I felt beforehand there were a lot of variables to consider. The morning we showed up, the team was ready and waiting for the weather check to be clear. As soon as Damian gave the all-clear sign, we were off. The teams were split up and we were assigned into a basket with Damian. I was nervous and excited to see it all happen in real time. During the set up I noticed the balloons were in a cart that completely protected the balloon while not in use. As they unrolled the balloon, I noticed it was put away with care because it virtually was free of twists or balled up in a lack for words. It spread out nicely into a beautiful windrow of fabric free of twists and stress.
As I watched them connect the basket, the cables were shiny new and not crimped in any way, also placed with care so they would not cross each other causing them to be twisted among each other. The burner was in a box free of contaminates in an enclosed trailer with the balloon cart and appeared in new condition and was placed on the basket with the gold grade 8 hardware we use on our airplanes.
Now the fans...they use the fans to pre-air up the balloon. I saw Damian personally walk into the balloon 3 times during the air up process checking for rigging inside the balloon and other of the safety checks.
Now the balloon is taking its shape on the ground and Damian is the only one to operate the burner. His team faced the fans in such a way where heat would never contact the material of the skirt or cables. Once the balloon took shape off the ground, the team all looked inside to be sure that each of them were satisfied with how things looked. At this point I was so excited to see that they treat these things safer than any airplane I have been in. Damian and his other copilots as well as his ground team are the best of the best, putting my mind at ease watching the process. I hopped in after my new bride and we took to the skies with the rest of our group.
It was the best most quiet experience I have ever had in the sky, and I am so glad I got to see them set it all up and the care they took to be safe. I will 100% do this again with these folks. It was the best day and experience of a lifetime!
Réponse de l'hôte
Aug 2022
Wow! We are so appreciative of your thoughtful and thorough review, detailing the entire experience. We're thrilled that someone with your knowledge appreciated the process, and could see how much care we take with our equipment. We hope to fly with you again!