Latest Ballooning News

April 2008

The new flying season for Aerosaurus has started with the 1st flight taking place on a slightly chilly Thursday morning. With lasts year poor summer all the Aerosaurus team are looking forward to a good summer and lots of flying (especially the pilots who felt a tad grounded last year).

Start of the 2008 flying season. Flight Number 7825, 03/04/08

March 2007

Aerosaurus has launched its new 'Above the Clouds' DVD with footage from the 2007 flying season along with a detailed history about ballooning, the mechanics of a typical flight and balloon fiestas. The DVD has a running time of approx 40mins and provides a great insight into the world of ballooning. See Here

November 2007

New CAA campaign to publicise the dangers of illegal flights. The CAA is launching a campaign to publicise the dangers for air passengers who pay for flights with operators that do not hold the necessary safety approvals.

Most flights that involve a passenger making some form of payment should be operated by companies that hold an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) which is granted by the operator’s national aviation authority - in the UK, the CAA. This is an approval that is granted to show that the company meets the high levels of safety required.

David Chapman, CAA Head of Flight Operations, said: “Most companies planning to undertake work that legally requires an AOC abide by the law and hold the certificate. However, as in all walks of life, there are some companies and individuals who choose to ignore the requirements and operate illegal public transport flights.

“Not only is this a safety issue, in that extra procedures, training and checks required for an AOC may not have taken place, but also passengers’ life insurances may be invalidated.”

To help publicise the requirement the CAA has produced a leaflet, aimed at passengers, which explains when and why an AOC is required and the risks of taking a flight with a company that does not hold the required approvals.

Passengers are also able to access the CAA’s database of AOC holders online at www.caa.co.uk/aocholders to check whether a company is approved.

David Chapman added: “As well as alerting passengers, the CAA will continue to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute companies and individuals that fail to follow the requirements.”

September 2007

Arthur Street, Aerosauus Balloons Operation Manager wins Western Region Montgolfier Award 2006

The Western Region makes its annual "Montgolfier Award" to a person, or persons, who have contributed significantly to ballooning in general and to Western Region in particular in recent years.

The Montgolfier Award is normally presented around Montgolfier Day, ideally at a "Montgolfier Dinner", or some other Western Region function or event, but this is subject to being able to get the recipient along to such an event "unaware" of what is in store for them.

The Western Region Montgolfier Award for 2006 has been given to a man who certainly meets the criteria, having been working for Ballooning for nearly 20 years. Its presentation was delayed due to the recipient not living close to Bristol. After being unable to invent a suitable "cover story", it was decided to make the presentation at the Westcountry Balloon Fiesta in Tavistock, on 25th August.

Our worthy recipient has been taking care of Ballooning in the South West for nearly 20 years. He has lead the Landowner Relations effort over many years, both as his own "local LRO", and as a coordinator for the South West area. He has consistently helped visiting balloonists to fly in his area, both informally and at the long standing and popular Westcountry Balloon Fiesta in Tavistock. Whilst this is organised as a team effort, our Montfolfier Award recipient has had a central, and often leading role, in the organisation and development of the event in Tavistock, to the point where is it certainly in the top five of its kind in the UK.

The 2006 Western Region Montgolfier Award has therefore been made to ARTHUR STREET, "For Development of Ballooning in the South West".

Many congratulations, Arthur, and our ongoing thanks!!

Paul Spellward (Chairman), on behalf of Western Region BBAC. Monday 3rd September 2007
www.bbac.org

Booking Dates

You can now check date availability for your balloon flight and reserve your space 24hrs a day with our on-line flight availability

In order to make arranging flight dates as smooth as possible we have the availability on our system to allow passengers to reserve up to 3 preferred dates (these must be at least a week apart and are subject to availability). If the first flight date is weather postponed, the booking automatically moves onto your next reserved date ETC.

Special Presentation Balloon in a Box!

To compliment your flight voucher gift pack we can supply a very attractive 18" helium filled foil balloon in a special presentation box. The balloon flight voucher is attached to the balloon ready for the presentation day. Please see our on line secure booking form for prices and balloon message options.

Aerosaurus Balloons Passenger Statistics

We have analysed recent flown passengers statistics and found that:

Doesn't this show that just about anyone, of any age can have a flight in a Hot Air Balloon!

Aerosaurus Balloons Customer Survey Results

As part of am ongoing policy to provide passengers with the best possible experience we conduct random "post flight" surveys. The following are the result of a survey of 1200 passengers flown recently.

Further comments:-

'EVERYONE should try this. I hate ordinary planes, but balloon flight - WOW!'
'Absolutely fabulous!'
'Crew very friendly & put me very much at ease, brilliant'
'Fantastic experience'
'Wonderful experience'
'Congratulations in providing such a splendid service'
'Our pilot was great & the atmosphere very friendly'
'The pilot & crew couldn't have been more friendly'
'Would recommend it to everyone'
'There are some days in your life that you hope will turn out perfect but few do. THIS ONE DID'

Go to our Customer Feedback page to see more comments from recently flown passengers

Interestingly

On one of our balloon flights with the retrieve crew standing in the launch field, a little girl who had just seen her mother fly off into the sunset asked, "Are you going to follow the balloon?"

"Yes! we will be following with the trailer and retrieve vehicle to collect your mother" the crew answered.

"But" asked the little girl, "How do you drive over the hedges?!"

Birthdays

Well they come around at least once a year, stuck for what to buy?

Look at our exclusive range of Aerosaurus & Exeter Balloons merchandise for inspiration.

Nationwide flights

Aerosaurus Balloons are members of "Balloons Over Britain" which comprises the leading 11 balloon flight operators in the UK, all Civil Aviation Authority Certified, operating from launch sites both within the South West and nationwide, and thus able to arrange flights providing optimum flexibility of venue.

For more information on "Balloons Over Britain", please visit their web site www.balloonsoverbritain.co.uk

Weddings

Have you ever dreamed about getting married in a Hot Air Balloon - if so please visit our Wedding section

Exclusive Hot Air Balloon flights

Following their first balloon flight, many passengers express the wish to fly again sometimes with a private group, sometime for longer and over a greater area, possible starting at or before sunrise to see the dawn followed by an early morning flight.

To meet this demand we have developed unique packages catering for 2 to 16 passengers providing standard or extended Hot Air Balloon rides.

Subject to geographical or aviation limitations, it may be possible to fly from your own personal launch site, in which case a small additional positioning charge will apply.