Lanna and Gladys(non-registered)
The best time ever. This was a gift for my mom and she was so happy. What an amazing time.
Holly Barragan & Dee Winkler(non-registered)
Fan-freakin-tastic!
Thanks so much! You all are amazing!
Thanks so much! You all are amazing!
Joan Lyons(non-registered)
Hot Air Balloon Experience
On April 11, 2023 I was able to fulfill a long time bucket list item of mine…..a ride in a hot air balloon! First of all let me say that I would 10 out of 10 recommend this experience for everyone!!! A few things that I would recommend if you are planning a ride….be patient and flexible. Keep an eye on the weather and when the forecast is a clear day with almost no wind, that is ideal, so book it then! It couldn’t have been a more perfect day when we flew! We chose a sunrise flight, as the air is more stable this time of day, rather than later in the day….although I’m sure sunset flights would be just as nice!
We met our balloon pilot, Brian Rohr, at a designated Starbucks in McKinney Tx at 6:30 a.m. for our sunrise flight, where we loaded into a van with trailer pulling our hot air balloon and basket along with the other 4 passengers that we would be sharing the flight with and the chase driver, Chino. We arrived at our launch site after a short drive. While there, we were able to see all that goes into preparing and taking off in a hot air balloon! Wow! There is a lot of work that goes into the whole experience. We really enjoyed seeing and experiencing that up close and personal! Brian Bohr, our pilot, has been flying balloons for 40 years! He started out flying at the tender age of 10 with his dad who is also a balloon pilot! Brian has a 12 year old daughter and 14 year old son who are now learning the ropes and flying with him on weekend flights when being at school doesn’t interfere.
The balloon we flew in was about a year and a half old. It was purchased for $68,000 which included the balloon, basket, and burners. When our balloon was stretched out on the launch field it measured 72 feet long, and weighs 345 pounds! Brian told us that he flies one bigger than the one we flew in that will hold up to 12 passengers. The cost of that one is $100,000! Our balloon was made in the Czech Republic. Brian said that while he has purchased balloons from a USA manufacturer, they just don’t compare to the ones he buys from the Czech Republic. Normally he said he is continually purchasing new balloons, so that he always has extras when the current ones need replacing.
The first step in flying is to fill the balloon with cold air using a high powered fan. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Then hot air from the burner is pumped into the balloon enabling it to rise from the ground and to launch. The liftoff was just so smooth! We just floated right into the air! We flew as low as the tree tops and as high as 3200 ft in altitude. It was just beautiful and breathtaking, and so cool. I had some minor ear popping, but not as much as flying in an airplane.
When it comes time to land a hot air balloon, this can be a bit tricky, as the wind acting as a sail, will dictate the general direction which is usually never in the same spot. Sometimes it requires landing on private property. Brian always gives the property owner a bottle of champagne as a way to make amends. Our landing was just as smooth as our take off! Brian did say that if wind was stronger than what we had that many times it’s not as smooth and gentle. In those cases the passengers are instructed to hang on to handles inside the basket and prepare for the basket to land on it’s side.
On April 11, 2023 I was able to fulfill a long time bucket list item of mine…..a ride in a hot air balloon! First of all let me say that I would 10 out of 10 recommend this experience for everyone!!! A few things that I would recommend if you are planning a ride….be patient and flexible. Keep an eye on the weather and when the forecast is a clear day with almost no wind, that is ideal, so book it then! It couldn’t have been a more perfect day when we flew! We chose a sunrise flight, as the air is more stable this time of day, rather than later in the day….although I’m sure sunset flights would be just as nice!
We met our balloon pilot, Brian Rohr, at a designated Starbucks in McKinney Tx at 6:30 a.m. for our sunrise flight, where we loaded into a van with trailer pulling our hot air balloon and basket along with the other 4 passengers that we would be sharing the flight with and the chase driver, Chino. We arrived at our launch site after a short drive. While there, we were able to see all that goes into preparing and taking off in a hot air balloon! Wow! There is a lot of work that goes into the whole experience. We really enjoyed seeing and experiencing that up close and personal! Brian Bohr, our pilot, has been flying balloons for 40 years! He started out flying at the tender age of 10 with his dad who is also a balloon pilot! Brian has a 12 year old daughter and 14 year old son who are now learning the ropes and flying with him on weekend flights when being at school doesn’t interfere.
The balloon we flew in was about a year and a half old. It was purchased for $68,000 which included the balloon, basket, and burners. When our balloon was stretched out on the launch field it measured 72 feet long, and weighs 345 pounds! Brian told us that he flies one bigger than the one we flew in that will hold up to 12 passengers. The cost of that one is $100,000! Our balloon was made in the Czech Republic. Brian said that while he has purchased balloons from a USA manufacturer, they just don’t compare to the ones he buys from the Czech Republic. Normally he said he is continually purchasing new balloons, so that he always has extras when the current ones need replacing.
The first step in flying is to fill the balloon with cold air using a high powered fan. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Then hot air from the burner is pumped into the balloon enabling it to rise from the ground and to launch. The liftoff was just so smooth! We just floated right into the air! We flew as low as the tree tops and as high as 3200 ft in altitude. It was just beautiful and breathtaking, and so cool. I had some minor ear popping, but not as much as flying in an airplane.
When it comes time to land a hot air balloon, this can be a bit tricky, as the wind acting as a sail, will dictate the general direction which is usually never in the same spot. Sometimes it requires landing on private property. Brian always gives the property owner a bottle of champagne as a way to make amends. Our landing was just as smooth as our take off! Brian did say that if wind was stronger than what we had that many times it’s not as smooth and gentle. In those cases the passengers are instructed to hang on to handles inside the basket and prepare for the basket to land on it’s side.
Timothy Johnson(non-registered)
Everything was awesome! The view was unforgettable. Definitely recommend!
Miki Fowler(non-registered)
Really enjoyed the Balloon ride❗️One more check off my bucket list. Brian our Captain was wonderful.
Maria & Kevin Rudolph(non-registered)
Wow! What a great experience! I am normally afraid of heights but Brian was a wonderful smoothly sailing pilot. Our two adult kids gave us this Hot Air Balloon ride as a Christmas gift.
We highly recommend this company to others. I love the pictures! Thank you for the memories!!
We highly recommend this company to others. I love the pictures! Thank you for the memories!!
Susie Dams(non-registered)
This was an amazing experience! Drove from Houston area because none of the hot air balloon places in our area have very good reviews. It was so peaceful and beautiful!
Lana & Rickey Lemons(non-registered)
What a ride! We were given this ride for our 70th birthdays from our kids. Something we never would ever done by ourselves. It was such a great ride, smooth, safe and a bundle of fun. The weather was just perfect. I think Brian ordered it just for us! After landing we had snacks and Champagne. If you’ve never gone ballooning before, go with Brian…He’s great!! We were picked up at the landing spot by Geno, who kept his eyes on us below…he also took some pictures from the ground. Brian took pictures in the air! Can’t wait to see them!
Dany Solís(non-registered)
That was awesome!! I recommend this ride
Christie Finley(non-registered)
My fiance bought a flight for my birthday. This was one for the coolest experiences of my life. Brian was extremely knowledgeable and hilarious. He taught us so much and we even got to meet his lovely family when we landed. All around amazing time. We would do it again in a heartbeat. If you are even considering doing it, just do. You will not regret it.
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