Critical Things That Informs Your Choice of a Hot Air Ballooning Company
Hot air balloon ride will definitely be on your priority list if you are planning an adventure. Choosing the safest hot air balloon ride is not a simple task and if you are not careful, you might end up being disappointed. Apart from the bad ride experience, you may end up risking your life if the company does not observe safety measures. To save you from the hustle of choosing a hot air balloon company, this article highlights the important considerations you should make.
Find out if the company is properly licensed and certified. Any hot air ballooning company must have meet all the requirements of doing the business including having the licenses. A company that operates without strict adherence to the regulation risks the life of clients. It is prudent to scrutinize the relevant documentations of a hot air ballooning company before choosing it for the ride.
Avoid dealing with brokers. Note that many brokers are on the market and you must avoid them at all costs. Brokers are only interested in getting the money but not your safety and they do not really care about the condition of the hot air balloon. Owner companies are aware of the condition of their hot air balloon and they are also best placed to give you discounted rates.
Consider if the pilot is well experienced. Not every pilot can operate a hot air balloon properly, but only the experienced ones. Experience does not only entail years of service, but it also covers the duration in hours of flight by the pilot. Importantly, a well-established hot air ballooning company must not necessarily have all experienced pilots and thus, you should request to check the pilot’s credentials ascertain his or her qualifications.
Ensure the hot air balloon has adequate carrying capacity. Hot air balloon have varied carrying capacities and that dictates how many people it can accommodate comfortably. Some hot air balloon operators might want to overload it so that they get more money but that is risky. You must not overload a hot air balloon that increases the risk of accident and therefore, you should inquire about the carrying capacity of a hot air balloon.
Inquire about accident history. Has the hot air balloon ever had and accident and what was revealed on the accident report as the cause? No company might be willing to provide any damaging information about its accident history and thus, you must be willing to get information from other parties. Thus, you should get information from other sources such as licensing authority. Choose a hot air ballooning company that has none or few accidents in the past.
Inquire about the cost of the ride. There different packages of hot air balloon rides and your budget will determine which is the most affordable. A wide range of packages are available at different prices. Get quotes from at least a couple of hot air ballooning companies so that you determine the most affordable option.