EXPERIENCE - EQUIPMENT - STANDARDS - FLIGHT AREA
A bit of advise on standards
and pilot qualifications - Being FAA certified does not guarantee
quality or experience,
only that someone has met the minimum standards
set by the Federal Aviation Administration to get a license
(for ballooning that's only 35 hours of experience and 6 flights
under instruction to get a Commercial rating to fly paying
passengers-not much).
These FAA minimum standards became an issue during the NTSB
investigation of the 2009 crash of a Continental Commuter
Aircraft near Buffalo and the very different outcome of the US
Air flight that landed safely in the Hudson that same year.
Experience Does Count!
Some on-line hot air balloon ride
offerings are simply a brokerage with an unknown list of
pilots with unknown qualifications or flight area. You are
best served dealing direct for your hot air balloon ride
purchase. That way you get to choose the location, qualities
and qualifications of the hot air balloon ride service that
will fly you and your loved ones.
New York State has no special operational or insurance
standards for hot air balloon ride operations other than the
State Labor Law, which many ignore or are not aware of Labor
Law requirements.
While many balloon ride operations these days are cutting
costs by flying older used or rebuilt hot air balloons,
purchase limited insurance that does not fully cover all of
their operation, may hand your reservation off to a less qualified,
less costly subcontract pilot, we take a different approach:
1. Our Level of Experience.
You will fly with Phil Jackson, the region's premier hot air balloon ride pilot with over
30 years and 3,000 passenger flights in the Adirondack - Lake George - Saratoga Springs
- Albany Capital District area. He established the first hot
air balloon ride company in New York State, flew a hot air balloon in the Woody Allen movie “Stardust Memories” and the I Love New York commercial.
He is a member of the Northeast Pioneer Aeronauts. His knowledge and experience as a balloon ride pilot is sought-out as a guest speaker at annual safety seminars. He is
a past president of the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival. The Adirondack Balloon Festival is one of the longest running hot air balloon festival's in the country. Dave Hunter has worked over 20 years with us
and John "Baker" Potter more than 10
years..
2. Our Equipment. We fly
the newest design and the safest
luxury hot air balloons available. All of our hot air balloons are
purchased new and custom designed for our balloon
ride service. Our
Peacock VIII is our signature hot air balloon that carries up
to 4 passengers plus the pilot. Our larger balloon, Peacock
VII, can carry up to 8 family and friends that want to fly
together in safety and comfort. Our
custom luxury window van will transport you to and from the balloon flight area in comfort. I
know you will appreciate our level of service in comparison to what you find elsewhere. Our philosophy is that we want you to experience the best that can be offered, not compromises.
3. Our Flight Standards. We
specialize in small group and private hot air balloon rides.
We offer a personal flight service with less people in the
balloon, plus the option to reserve a balloon for a romantic
private flight for 2, or a flight for a group of up to 8
family and friends that want to fly together. We have always taken a conservative approach with our balloon flight decisions. We take many factors into account before we are willing to take you, our passenger, skyward. Including, what the landing will be like for the passengers we are flying. We understand that you, our customer, are coming to experience “high adventure”, and that you expect us to provide it as safely as possible.
You can count
on our more than 30 years of experience and professionalism.
4. Our
Insurance Standards.
We are commercially insured for
flight, ground transportation, and chase crew operations. Our
balloons are insured by an
A+ Best rated company that is an
admitted carrier to New York State. Our chase
vehicle is covered by a
commercial auto policy. Our ground chase
crew is fully covered for its activities to include Workman's
Comp, Disability, and all employment taxes and insurance.
5. Our Flight Area. Our part of upstate New York is simply beautiful. The Adirondacks, Lake George and Saratoga Springs offer a wide variety of amenities for both the experienced and novice traveler. Our region is a destination that offers many options in lodging, dining, shopping, attractions and natural beauty waiting to be experienced. |
