EXPERIENCE - EQUIPMENT - STANDARDS - FLIGHT AREA
A bit
of advise on standards and qualifications - Being FAA
certified does not guarantee experience. Being FAA certified
only means that someone has met the minimum standards
set by the Federal Aviation Administration for a license.
There is no certified flight instructor rating for hot air
balloons, only student, private and commercial. A balloon
pilot with a commercial rating can give flight instruction as well as fly
paying passengers. New York State has no special operational
or insurance standards for hot air balloon ride operations other than NYS Labor Law which many ignore or are ignorant of its'
requirements. While others
may choose to cut costs by flying used or rebuilt hot air
balloons, purchase limited insurance that does not fully cover
all of their operation, hand your reservation off to a
less qualified 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 area. He established New York State’s first hot air balloon ride company, flew a hot air balloon in the Woody Allen movie “Stardust Memories” and for the I Love New York commercial. 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. Crew Chief Dave Hunter has worked over 20 years with us
and assistant crew chief John "Baker" Potter more than 10
years..
2. Our Equipment. We fly
the newest design and the safest
luxury hot air balloon available. All of our hot air balloons are
purchased new and custom designed for our balloon
ride service.
Our larger balloon can
carry up to 8 passengers in safety and comfort due to its
partitioned design, which features extra high side walls and
padded compartments. This design gives you an extra feeling of
security and comfort, plus your own space. You will only find
this important safety feature offered by us. We also offer
the option of a balloon that can accommodate 2 to 4
passengers in safety and comfort for either a Private Charter or a small group
flight. Our
custom luxury window van will transport you to and from the balloon flight area in comfort. I think you will appreciate our operation 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 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, not a homeowners auto policy that
does not cover paying passengers riding in the chase
vehicle. Our ground chase
crew is fully covered for its activities to include Workman's
Comp, Disability, and all employment taxes and insurance. You will not find
this anywhere else.
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. | 
