All of our pilots have a FAA certified commercial pilot's license. A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure only hires pilots who have a minimum of a thousand hours of logged flight time. However, our insurance company does require that all passengers sign a release of liability notice. A balloon is carried by the wind, and thus moves at the speed of the winds. We fly passengers in gentle breezes up to seven miles per hour.
Winds determine a balloon's direction.
Balloonists can steer a balloon, to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon's altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions. There is no minimum or maximum age restriction on partaking in a balloon ride. Our only consideration is that passengers need to be 52 inches tall and be able to stand during the entire flight. The actual flight time is approximately one hour. A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure can accommodate passenger groups of all sizes.