Phoenix Sunrise Balloon Ride

 The expansive open skies of Arizona, the dust and dry desert air make for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. What better way to appreciate them than from the basket of a Phoenix hot air balloon?

Do you choose a balloon rise at sunrise or sunset? That's the burning question that we're going to discuss here to help you decide.

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Technically, There's Not Much Difference

Most balloon rides set off just after sunrise or a couple of hours before sunset. Hot air balloon pilots will tell you that these are the times when the air temperature and wind conditions are most stable, and most suitable for Phoenix hot air ballooning.

When the surface wind is calm, it makes inflation of the balloon and the launch itself a gentle experience.

Outside of sunset and sunrise, the winds are not as calm. The sun heats the ground, causing columns of warm air to spiral skywards. These thermals cause unpredictable downdrafts, making the balloon more difficult for pilots to control.

So, choosing to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset is a matter of personal preference.

Points in Favour of Rides at Sunrise

Surface winds at sunrise are fractionally calmer than at sunset. But as we said, not enough to make a difference. tends to be a little calmer.

If tranquillity is what you seek, then sunrise is the time for you. For a start, traveling to the sunrise launch site will be pleasant, quick and quiet since there is no much traffic on the roads in the early morning.

Not a morning person? All the more reason to make the effort to get up with the sparrows' pre-dawn birdsong. Not any old sparrows, but the eight different species of sparrow that call the Sonoran Desert their habitat. They'll give you a chirpy greeting at the break of day!

We have heard so many habitual late risers say that a sunrise ride in a hot air balloon has been the best morning of their life. Can we persuade you to join the chorus of praise coming from these sleepyheads?

Besides, most balloon rides offer you a "champagne breakfast" to salute the dawn. Does that tempt you?

Amateur and professional photographers alike love the more favorable lighting conditions present at sunrise. Caught at the right moment, the brilliant palette of colors at sunrise can be every bit as dramatic as those at sunset.

Even if you don't catch the perfect photo, the inspiration views come with the cool briskness of fresh air that'll make you feel glad to be alive.

Once your sunrise adventure in the skies is over, you still have the whole day ahead to enjoy yourself.

Phoenix Hot Air Balloon - The Sunset Advantage

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Don't get us wrong, photography at sunset is amazing too. If you're looking for the richer, dusky and possibly slightly smudged effect, riding the crest of the desert sunset is the ballooning experience for you. And if you are a fan of hot weather sunshine, Phoenix hot air ballooning is sure to please almost year-round!

Of course, if the thought of sparkling wine at the crack of dawn makes you feel ill, then perhaps a relaxed sundowner is more gentle on your nerves. Toasting life, the universe and everything in the intense colors of the desert sunset is an ideal prelude to a relaxing evening out.

You can do this as a romantic evening for two, or plan a more boisterous night of fun with a handful of good friends. Remember that as many as 12 passengers can be accommodated in one balloon at any one time. If there are more of you, think about booking two balloons.

From the high vantage point of the balloon at sunset, you get to see for miles all around. The same is true at sunrise, granted, but there is something magical about the sunset ride as cityscapes and desert-scapes prepare for nightfall.

The quality of light at dusk is a special moment for many. It's a time for reflection, gratitude for the day, and calm. When the hot air balloon descends to land is magical too. The sun is low, magnificent and bright in the sky while casting a multicolored haze over the land.

How High? How Far?

Depending on the wind, your Phoenix hot air balloon ride will travel at an average of five to six miles per hour, although because you are traveling in the direction of the wind in mid-air. you will not have the sensation of speed.

Balloons cover a distance of between two and five miles during the standard one-hour flight. You can make reservations for longer flights if you wish. It is therefore advisable to take drinking water with you, regardless of the possible offer of sparkling wine once on board.

The altitude will vary during your flight. You will likely fly at between 1,000 and 3,000 feet up in the air. At around 400 feet, you will be able to experience the sights and sounds of life in the famous Sonoran Desert. Hot air balloons can go higher if wind conditions allow.

It is said that most people who have a fear of heights soon lose their fear once aloft and enthralled by the wonderful views.

The Choice is Yours

Whether you go ballooning at sunrise or sunset, we feel sure that you'll find the experience thrilling.

Riding in a hot air balloon is considered very safe, thanks to numerous advances in technology. And yet you get to see views that are normally only the preserve of skydivers and hang-gliding experts, and so on.

A Phoenix hot air balloon is a special kind of something too. Not only are the sunrises and sunsets unlike any other place in the world, but the wide-open spaces of the Arizona desert and its rich landscape also give you a sense of ultimate freedom.

If you cannot decide between the sunrise and the sunset, it might be time to plan a stay in Phoenix lasting several days. That way, you can do both!

If you love the great outdoors, we invite you to read our other posts to get you thinking of your next holiday break-away.

Hot Ads: How Air Balloon Advertising Can Benefit Your Business

Hot air balloons have long been used as a prominent method of advertisement. We share how hot ads can benefit your business.

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

The costs of digital marketing are higher than they have ever been.
This can be attributed to a host of factors that include increasing demand for digital marketing services.
As a matter of fact, digital marketing spend in 2019 will account for more than 50 percent of all ad spend in most developed countries.
While digital marketing can be effective, there are some innovative traditional marketing techniques that can pass the message quickly and effectively.
Have you heard of hot ads?
Innovative ideas are bound to capture the attention of most people, which is what you need to effectively promote your brand or products.
As such, it is imperative that you examine your business landscape and think out of the box. This can enable you to come up with a strategy that will create buzz around your brand. Hot air balloon advertising is such an idea.
Hot air balloons have long been used as a prominent method of advertisement. This article will describe how hot ads can benefit your business.

Why Hot Ads?

Hot air balloons were a popular advertising tool in the mid-20th Century. However, with the advent of television, radio, and now the internet, they took a backseat to modern media.
But here’s why they can still be effective for your brand:

1. They Are Big

Verizon Hot Air Balloon

A hot air balloon can be seen miles away.
As such, even if a person is not able to clearly make out the name of your brand or the products being advertised, it will pique their curiosity enough to make an effort to know what the balloon is all about.
As such, their big size makes them one of the most ideal ways of reaching a larger audience, especially if most of your target audience is local. You will be able to reach people on the highways as well as those walking the city streets.
What’s more, those locked up in their office cubicles in high-rises won’t be safe from your advertising as well.

2. They Are Unique

In the present day, hot air balloon advertising is a novel concept. People do not expect to see a balloon when they walk out of their homes. As such, they have the X-factor that catches people attention very easily.
Additionally, their novelty factor ensures that the message on the brand is likely to be stuck in people’s memories for longer than other types of advertising.

3. Help in Branding

It might surprise you to know that the image you are having right now of a hot air balloon is not the only shape there is of hot air balloons. They can be shaped in several different ways.
In fact, specialized advertising balloons can be designed to take the shape of the product being advertised.
This way, your target audience does not need to actually make out the name of your brand or product for them to know what is being advertised.
Using the appearance of your product to create awareness about it is one of the most effective branding strategies out there.

4. They Are Mobile

Unlike other conventional types of advertisements, such as billboards, TV, or prints ads, hot air balloons are mobile. As such, they do not need to be fixed at one vantage point as a billboard would.
And in the cases where they need to be tied to one location, so they do not drift away, an advertising balloon still has the advantage of being visible from multiple directions.

5. They Are Cheap

While it may not appear as so, an advertising balloon is actually cheaper than a billboard.
Thus, when you consider that it is able to reach a bigger audience than a billboard would or magazines, an advertising balloon will give you a better return on your marketing investment.

6. Creating Excitement and Buzz

As mentioned earlier, a balloon has that ‘wow’ factor going for it. Just seeing a giant balloon floating around will be enough for people to want to chase after it to see what it is all about.
That is exactly the kind of attention that any brand wants to create in the public.
And in the current era of social media where people whip out their phones to document the latest excitement, your brand will find its way to the eyes of users who were not anywhere close to your location.

7. You Have No Competition

Unlike other types of advertising where your ad tends to be just another one among a sea of other ads, advertising balloons offer you exclusivity.
As such, you do not have to worry where your company’s name falls in search engine results pages.
Your business will be the only name flying in the sky.

8. Versatility 

The flexibility of a hot air balloon allows you to even geo-target your audiences. As such you do not have to settle for floating your balloon just over your premises.
You can get creative and float it in locations where there is high traffic so that your advertisement is hard to miss.
This is something that static forms of advertising cannot offer you.

9. Suits All Sorts of Businesses

Both large and small companies can use advertising balloons. A small business with a tight budget will find that a balloon will work perfectly for them since they can use it for many years.
If the message or brand changes, all they will have to do is update the balloon.
Larger businesses will love balloons since they offer a quick and effective means of garnering attention. They can use the balloons in events such as product launches, grand openings, and festivals.

Getting Your Message Out There

Hot air balloons have been with us since the 3rd Century AD. Since then, they have found a myriad of uses ranging from traveling to war to advertising.
As mentioned earlier, marketing is not effective unless it is impactful. And that is the exact effect hot air balloon adverting has.
If you haven’t tried hot ads yet, it is probably time to give it a shot.

For more information call Aerogelic Ballooning 480-991-4260 

Why Should You Go on a Winter Hot Air Balloon Ride?

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Why Should You Go on a Winter Hot Air Balloon Ride?

Nothing beats a magical experience like viewing a winter wonderland from the sky. Here's why you should try a hot air balloon ride this winter.

By: Aerogelic Ballooning

A hot air balloon ride in the winter can be as thrilling as one

in the hotter summer months.

Many don't think that it's an activity for the chillier times of the year. Rising into the freezing air, where it's even colder, might not seem like such an obvious choice for a fun day out.

But this is far from the case. The wintry landscapes that can be enjoyed from a winter-time hot air balloon ride are simply magical.

So why is it just as good an idea to hit the skies in a hot air balloon in the winter?

Flying Better in the Winter

Wrapping up in cozy warming clothes and taking to the sky can be fun for a family outing or a romantic day together.

And balloons actually fly very effectively in the colder air.

The temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the balloon deciphers the way it actually lifts. And a much lower internal temperature is sufficient to fly in cold weather.

It's still true, however, that the liquid propane in the fuel tanks can't be too cold.

If it's 32 degrees F or less then the propane won't form enough of a vapor pressure to adequately feed the burner or burners that function the hot air balloon.

But there's a way around this as well, meaning that a winter hot air balloon ride is easily something you can enjoy in the colder months. By merely charging the fuel tanks with inert gas such as nitrogen or by warming them and insulating them against the cold, this is a sufficient back-up technique.

And warming in this way can be achieved via electric heat tapes among other various options.

Winter Hot Air Balloon Ride Myths

It's actually not necessarily true that rising higher into the air in a hot air balloon means subjecting yourself to colder climes.

When you reach over 200 feet in the air, the temperature actually gets a little warmer. The name for this is temperature inversion. And it always takes place in the mornings.

This actually makes the mornings the ideal time for a hot air balloon ride.

Yes, the wind can pick up, which means it can be chilly at a high altitude. But this is true of any season of the year

In actual fact, when you are nestled inside a hot air balloon's basket, the wind doesn't tend to seep through.

This happens because you are riding along with the wind, rather than against it! It's almost as if the basket is lined with invisible glass protective windows.

And, perhaps most obviously, a balloon is full of hot air. And this therefore provides an actual burst of heat to keep you warm and toasty.

The gas burners that are above the basket radiates heat into the basket and this then warms the passengers too.

Another aspect here is that you presumably won't be alone on your hot air balloon ride. These ventures are sociable and you'll be in the basket with friends, family, a partner and the captain of the ride.

More people means more heat - and if it's a romantic trip you're looking for, this gives you more reasons to cuddle up together. Bring scarves, hats, gloves and a blanket to stay warm and cozy.

Frozen Landscapes

Phoenix Winter Hot Air Balloon Ride

As mentioned earlier, when you think of a hot air balloon ride, you might envision warm evenings, gliding over green trees with glasses of wine and the sun on your skin. But think of a winter-time balloon ride in the same way you would a winter vacation. People go away to the mountains for ski trips for the icy weather and the stunning surroundings.

It's still perfectly possible to enjoy a sunlit ride across scenery in the winter. And it's also still okay to sip wine or champagne as you do so. It's just a little chiller.

And if hot chocolate or coffee is more appropriate, then go for it.

But the major element here is the kind of scenery you can enjoy from the air in the winter.

Instead of bushy forests of green trees and vast summer fields of crops, the winter landscape is a truly unique.

You'll get to glide as glacially as the ice on the frozen streams and lakes below. The same forests will be a little more jagged and and the fields may well be laced with snow or frost.

Seeing winter from the air is actually a very magical experience. gliding in a hot air balloon above a frozen landscape is almost otherworldly. There's something even more peaceful about it than there is in the summertime.

It's similar to how people enjoy sleigh rides at Christmas. Wrapping up in warm clothes with the gentle light of the balloon fuel above you is warming and comforting.

Watch as the sun sets and the frost settles on the fields, and begins to glisten in the dusky light.

Think about gliding over the mountains and enjoying the breathtaking views of snow-tipped peaks in the wintry sun.

Book Your Winter Balloon Ride  www.AerogelicBallooning.com

It's even more serene to go on a hot air balloon ride in the winter.

We think you're bound to have been tempted by our tips on why winter ballooning is just as special.

For more information on the winter excursions you can take in hot air balloons, get in touch.

Book online here: https://www.aerogelicballooning.com/reservations/

or 

Call: 602-402-8041

Do You Know How Hot Air Balloons Work?

Do You Know How Hot Air Balloons Work?
by www.AerogelicBallooning.com

You’ve always been curious about balloon rides, but do you know how hot air balloons work? In this post, we’re revealing the science behind hot air balloons.

Keyword(s): how hot air balloons work

For all those thrill seekers out there, taking a ride in a hot air balloon probably sounds like a blast. Those of us that are more skeptical though wouldn’t think about getting into that contraption without learning a bit more about how hot air balloons work.

It may sound scary to those that are afraid of heights, but a hot air balloon ride is rumored to be one of the most peaceful experiences out there.

Maybe riding in a hot air balloon is on your bucket list, but you’re a bit hesitant because you are wondering just how hot air balloons work.

Look no further. We have all the facts about hot air balloon travel: how they work, how to steer, and most importantly how to land!

Keep reading for all the fun facts on how hot air balloons work.

History of the hot air balloon

In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers were the first to figure out how a hot air balloon works.

The two men sent a sheep, chicken and a duck flying over France for a full eight minutes! It took a couple years for them to develop a hot air balloon that is very similar to those that are in use today.

As for fuel, they were not using propane, they were burning straw, manure and other material in an attached fire pit as fuel.

Types of hot air balloons

There are two different types of hot air balloons.

Montgolfier

The most common type of hot air balloon. This type uses fire to heat up the air inside the balloon to get it to life off of the ground.

You know that trademark blowtorch noise you hear when a hot air balloon is near? That is a Montgolfier balloon.

Hybrid

The hybrid balloon uses hot air in the same way but it also has a compartment of helium and hydrogen gas at the top.

Hybrid and gas balloons are the most common types because they require less fuel and can stay in the air for extended periods of time.

Parts of the hot air balloon

A modern hot air balloon is made up of a number of different parts that contribute to how hot air balloons work.

Envelope

Hot Air Balloon Ride Arizona

The envelope is a fancier name for the balloon itself. This part is typically made of nylon which is sewn together in squares to stop rips and tearing. Nylon is used because it is a light, durable, and synthetic fabric.

The squares of nylon are sewn together very tightly in long, vertical patterns to keep air from leaking.

The envelope has holes at the top and the bottom.

The hole at the top is referred to as the parachute vent.

The parachute vent can be opened using a cord.  Opening it will cause hot air to escape from the envelope and the balloon will descend.

The hole at the bottom is referred to as the throat.

The throat is located directly above the burners and reinforced with a skirt of fireproof material to keep it from melting or burning.

Burner

Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Inflation 

As mentioned above, the main component to how hot air balloons work is, in fact, the hot air!

The burner is generally one or more gas jets, fueled by propane cylinders. Some balloons only have one burner but it is common to have more than that. You can think of the burner as the engine of the balloon.

For safety, extra fuel is carried within the basket.

Basket

Typically, the passengers in a hot air balloon will be traveling in a wicker basket.

The baskets are almost always made of wicker because it is durable and light. Wicker is also a bit flexible so it can absorb the impact of landing.

The basket is attached to the envelope by strong metal cables.

Hot air balloons have a minimum and maximum in regards to the weight that they can carry and the basket sizes come in quite a range.

So, this is how hot air balloons work

Simply put, hot air balloons run on the philosophy that hot air rises and cold air sinks. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes warmer than the air outside and therefore is lighter.

This is what causes the balloon to become airborne.

Steering

Now that we know how the balloon goes up and down, how does it steer?

In order to obtain horizontal movement, the pilot must move the balloon up and down to catch different wind currents. The direction of the wind varies at different altitudes. Due to this factor, going up and down will also change the horizontal movement as well.

Of course, there is no foolproof way to follow wind patterns so the pilot is never in complete control. This may be why sometimes you hear horror stories about hot air balloons winding up in trees.

Hot air balloon rides rarely take off and land in the same place unless they are tethered to the ground. This is due to the fact that it is very difficult to predict their path.

Launching and Landing

The launching process only takes about fifteen minutes from start to getting off the ground.

Once a suitable location for launch has been found, the envelope is laid out and the crew begins inflating it with a fan.

After inflation, the burner and basket are attached and away you go!

The landing process is a bit more time-consuming.

When the pilot is ready to land they will need to find a landing site that is a wide open space with no power lines and space to lay out the balloon.

The balloon landing can be a little rough but an experienced pilot will know exactly what to do. Typically they will bump along the ground to stop the balloon and decrease the force of the impact.

Once the envelope is on the ground, the team begins pushing the air out and laying it flat. After it is totally flat, the balloon gets packed up for next time!

Now you know how hot air balloon rides work. So, what’s next? Are you going to head out there and go for a ride or do you feel safer on the ground? At least now you have all the facts to make an educated decision!

Come fly with us today and experience it for yourself! www.AerogelicBallooning.com
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