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.

AerogelicB
allooning.com

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

AerogelicBallooning.com

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.

A Quick Guide to Hot Air Balloon Photography: Capturing Beauty From the Skies

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

 If you're heading out on your first hot air balloon ride and intend to capture it all from the skies, here's how to nail hot air balloon photography...

Hot air balloon festivals are a breathtaking display of beautiful colors and fire. If you're heading to one soon, it's only right that you capture the event.

Don't feel discouraged about hot air balloon photography. Even though there are many moving parts and moments move by fast, you can still get amazing photos. We have compiled a quick guide to hot air balloon photography below so you can get amazing shots. 

Make Sure You Have Enough Storage Space 

The worst thing that could happen is you're taking photos and videos of your ride, but they can't save due to a lack of storage space. To get around this, make sure to pack extra memory cards for your camera.

Since they are small you can throw them in your camera bag and be on your way. When the time comes to reload make sure you know exactly where it is so you don't miss any shots. 

Extra points if you also pack an extra battery. Pro photographers never leave home without an extra battery, and you shouldn't either

You Should Have the Correct Lens to Get the Perfect Shots

You will be thousands of feet about the ground. To take good pictures at this level you will need a lens between 50 and 200 mm. 

Having a wide-angle lens in your camera bag isn't a bad idea also. This will come in handy when you want to take wide, sweeping photos of the landscape and sky. 

Some photographers even say that packing a long telephoto lens is a good idea. These will get you a perfect photo of objects from up in the air.

Know What Settings Your Camera Should Have to be Prepared

To get the perfect hot air balloon photographs you should have a rough idea of what settings on your camera will need to be adjusted. Of course, these settings will need to be adjusted at the time of capture, but knowing what they are will help to save time.

Shutter Speed To Help Prevent Blur

Even though balloons move slow, they are still moving. If your shutter speed is too slow then the balloons will be nothing more than motion blurs in your photos. 

The key to balloon photography is to have a fast shutter speed. This is ideal for taking hot air balloon photos at any opportunity. 

If you're taking a hot air balloon photo from the ground or in the sky, a fast shutter speed will fight against any amount of blur and give you a crisp image. It will even help fight against blur from your shaky hands that, let's face it, everyone has.

ISO Will Help You Achieve Perfect Lighting

Usually balloons lift off early in the morning or early in the evening. This is great for your ISO because it won't need to be adjusted multiple times.

At these times of the day, an ISO between 400 and 800 is ideal for the right lighting. This range will also help you achieve a fast shutter speed. 

All in all, ISO depends on the photographer and what type of photo they want. Don't let our recommendation get in the way of your artistic flow. 

Aperture Helps Create Some Cool Photos

Aperture is going to be something you change frequently when taking pictures of hot air balloons. You can even get creative with your pictures by changing the aperture to fit your artistic needs.

A lower aperture, like f/2.8, will help blur the background and focus on a close object. If you increase it to f/11 or f/16 everything will focus nicely. 

Be Creative With Your Hot Air Balloon Photography

To achieve cool hot air balloon pictures, you should be thinking outside of the box. Here are some creative photo ideas to nail some awesome pictures:

From the Air

You can hop in a hot air balloon and start shooing pictures from the air. You will get some cool photos of the landscape and any buildings from above.

Even taking a picture as all the hot air balloons rise would be a beautiful photo opportunity. Try to even snag a picture of other ballots at different heights.

Inflating

It's mesmerizing to watch hot air balloons inflate. Why not take photos of this amazing event? 

If it's evening the fire will create an amazing contrast against the background. Even taking photos of the inflating process could be nice as collage. 

From the Ground

Who said that all the best hot air balloon photos were taken from above? No one because great pictures can be taken from ground level.

When you're walking around take photos of all the different balloons deflated on the ground. You can even snap a shot of all the balloons as they take off into the sky. 

Panoramic Shots

Taking a panoramic shot can be done from inside the balloon's basket or from the ground. If you're at ground level, take a panorama of the balloons deflated or as they are all inflating.

From above you can get creative and take one of the balloons in the air. Even try to capture a picture of the clouds and landmarks around you. You're seeing the world from a perspective that not everyone has seen, use it to your advantage.

You Are Now a Hot Air Balloon Photo Pro

From knowing what equipment you should bring to ideas for different shots, we have provided you with the ultimate hot air balloon photography guide. Now it's time to start researching the event to see what conditions you will be shooting in.

We look forward to seeing your amazing photos! 

For more information on photography be sure to check out our blog. 

Book Now for your amazing photo-ops at https://www.aerogelicballooning.com/reservations/ or call 602-402-8041

Hot Ads: How Air Balloon Advertising Can Benefit Your Business

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

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

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

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.

Call Shane now for a quote 480-991-4260

Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Rides: The First-timer Experience

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

On September 19, 1783, the Montgolfier Brothers were the first to send aviators aloft in a hot-air balloon. Those aviators? A sheep, a duck, and a rooster!

In the 1950s, Ed Yost began development of the modern hot-air balloon which took flight in 1960. 

Today, hot-air balloons take flight all over the world.

The largest and most exciting balloon event takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico each year in October. It features over 500 balloons all launching from one field. 

If you're trying ballooning for the first time, you're in for a real treat! Phoenix hot-air balloon rides are a great adventure. 

Wondering what to expect for your first ride aloft? There are a few things you should know.

Read on for information about this unforgettable experience!

Be Flexible

Hot-air balloon flights are different from other types of flight. The pilot is at the mercy of the weather. 

A storm that's 250 miles away can affect the weather in your area. Balloon pilots fly under FAR 91.155. These are visual flight rules with no instruments. 

If the weather is the slightest bit unpredictable, the pilot cancels.

If you're planning your balloon flight while you're on vacation, schedule it early in the trip. If your flight is canceled, you'll have time for rescheduling. 

Balloons can't fly in strong winds. What looks like a light breeze to you may be too much for the balloon. 

Timing Is Everything

Hot-air balloon rides happen early in the morning or right before sunset. During the middle of the day, the sun heats the ground and causes thermals.

Thermals are powerful rising air currents that are dangerous for balloons.

They're not a danger until the sun has been up long enough to heat the ground. Due to asphalt parking lots and varying terrain, the ground heats in an uneven manner. 

Wind is also a factor since it picks up during the day.

Most areas, though not all, are too windy for evening flights. Expect to get up early to meet your balloon pilot and other passengers. 

It's possible you'll meet your pilot as early as 4 a.m. Don't forget to set your alarm, and don't hit the snooze button!

There's no set take-off site for hot-air balloons. The pilots look at the weather and wind direction and set out looking for the best launch spot. Sometimes it takes a little while. 

Wear Layers

Take note of the weather as soon as you get up. Many places are chilly in the morning and get warm when the sun rises. Dressing in layers is a good idea when you're going ballooning. 

Depending on how high your pilot takes you, it'll be cooler when you're aloft. The temperature, on average, decreases about 3 degrees Fahrenheit per 1,000 feet. It might be about 10 degrees cooler in flight than on the ground. 

By the time you land, the sun's up. If it's warm, take off the outer layers. And don't forget your sunglasses!

How Does a Hot-Air Balloon Work?

Hot-air balloons are giant fabric "envelopes." They're made from Dacron or ripstop nylon. The top of the balloon is coated with a flame-resistant material.

The fabric is attached to a huge wicker basket with heavy-duty steel cables. 

The basket holds propane tanks that power the burners for flight. 

When you arrive at your launch destination, the pilot and crew remove the envelope and basket from the truck. 

The crew removes the envelope from its bag and stretches it out across the field. The wicker basket lays on its side. The crew attaches the cables to the basket. 

The crew holds the edges of the skirt open while a huge fan inflates the balloon. Upon full inflation, the pilot lights the burner. Be ready! The noise is loud and often startles people.

As the pilot sends plumes of hot air into the balloon, it slowly rises to a standing position. Most balloons stand about seven stories tall with about 90,000 cubic feet of hot air. 

Once standing, the crew helps the passengers into the balloon. You're ready for takeoff!

You're Flying in a Wicker Basket

Yes! You're flying thousands of feet above the ground in a wicker basket. It's helpful if you're a people person because you're going to get close to the people flying with you. 

There's little room for moving around when you're in a hot-air balloon basket. Depending on the size of the balloon, there could be up to 29 other passengers with you. 

But most balloons hold from 4-15 passengers. You can't bring a lot of stuff on board with you. But don't forget your camera!

Don't worry about air sickness. The balloon floats gently with the wind, so you won't notice much movement. And you'll be so fascinated, you won't think about getting sick. 

It's a quiet, gentle experience, except for the sound of the burner. But the burner isn't going all the time, only when the pilot needs to add hot air to the envelope. 

The Landing

Landing in a hot-air balloon is sometimes an adventure of its own. The wind plays a big part. If the wind picks up and the balloon is coming in fast, the landing is exciting. 

But don't let it scare you. Most of the time, the balloon stays upright upon landing. But sometimes the basket falls over.

Don't lock your knees, but brace yourself and protect your camera gear!

The Celebration

After landing, most companies offer a champagne celebration. It includes the recitation of the Balloonist's Prayer:

"The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with its warm hands. You have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in laughter and set you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth."

Don't be surprised if the pilot "christens" you with champagne!

Phoenix Hot-Air Balloon Rides Are a Blast

Now you're ready for Phoenix hot-air balloon rides! Start your day with a fun adventure. Remember to set your alarm and dress in layers. 

Be flexible in case weather disrupts the scheduled flight. Bring your camera and have a blast!

A balloon ride costs around $200 dollars per person, but it's well worth it. Ready for your first balloon ride? Schedule one here. https://www.aerogelicballooning.com/reservations/

Hot Air Balloon Phoenix: 10 Sites to See from the Air

Written by: AerogelicBallooning.com

Phoenix has many beautiful sites to see from the basket of a hot air balloon. Here is your guide to hot air balloon Phoenix attractions.

Grand Canyon from a hot air balloon

The first flight technology that allowed a man to travel in the air, was the hot air balloon! It has been over 230 years since the first voyage in a hot air balloon. 

If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, consider riding across the sky in the basket of a hot air balloon in Phoenix. This is one experience you will not regret taking part in. Each ride has its own unique breathtaking view, which means no two hot air balloon rides are the same. 

The journey a hot air balloon takes you on is often described as surreal and peaceful. Some may even consider it to have a romantic feel, and be inspired to plan a proposal.

Hot Air Balloon in Phoenix 

One of the most popular attractions for hot air balloon rides is watching the sunrise or sunset. The view from the basket in the sky is spectacular, and like nothing you've experienced before. 

As the sun rises or descends, you can watch as the colors change and crawl across the sky. 

Sunrises and sunsets aren't the only things to see with a birdseye view. Arizona is a beautiful state, with many stunning landscapes. 

Sonoran Desert Preserve

Hot air balloon ride Phoenix

Sonoran Desert Preserve is one of the most common attractions for hot air balloon rides in the Phoenix area, and for good reason. There are 1000's of species of fauna, flora, and wildlife.

The preserve boasts over 30 miles of trails, and more than 9,600 acres of land, in mostly undeveloped and wild desert terrain. You may be able to see Dixie Mountain, Apache Vista, or Ridgeback Overlook.

You may get a chance to see the Sonoran pronghorn or a mule deer prancing around. Keep your eyes open for bobcats and coyotes too!  

Grand Canyon 

The Grand Canyon can easily overwhelm our senses through its beauty and immense size.

The Grand Canyon sports unique combinations of geologic color. It has erosional forms that decorate its landscape. The Grand Canyon river is 277 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide. 

As you float across its landscape you may find yourself catching your breath. You may be able to see elk, bison and bighorn sheep in the Grand Canyon National Park. 

Route 66 

Route 66 is actually known across the world.

In Arizona, Route 66 crosses a desert painted with vibrant hues. It passes through the Badlands, which is often considered more picturesque than the Grand Canyon. 

Don't forget the stark contrast of the red plateaus against the blue sky. This famous road travels by petrified forests and past forests filled with vibrant life. 

Sedona Red Rock Country 

Red Rock Country is one of the most popular tourists’ sites in the United States. 

It is home to many beautiful formations like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and the centerpiece of Red Rock Country - Oak Creek Canyon. 

It offers an incredibly diverse scenery that ranges from red desert rock to ponderosa pine forests and is actually part of the Coconino National Forest.

The breathtaking natural sites in Sedona will create a unique visual experience for a hot air balloon ride. 

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

The picturesque McDowell Mountain Regional Park will give you the perfect scenic views from the hot air balloon. 

The vibrant green of cacti contrast the browns and reds of the rock formations. This regional park is also home to an incredibly diverse list of wildflowers. From bright oranges to luscious violets and magentas, the landscape is painted with unrestrained vibrancy. 

Camelback Mountain

The name of Camelback Mountian comes from the shape of the mountain, which resembles the back of a kneeling camel. 

Camelback Mountain has an elevation of 2,704 feet. It is formed from two separate red sedimentary rock formations. 

Camelback Mountian is primarily known for it's hiking trails. You may catch a glimpse of hikers on either of the two main trails. 

Phoenix Metro Valley

Phoenix Arizona balloon ride

Enjoy an aerial view of the city of Phoenix as you float along its skyline. This unique view of the city will give you a perspective that few are able to see.

Watch as the sunrise reflects off the mirrored glass of the 3300 North Central Avenue building or the Arizona Center. 

Look for the Cityscape, which is a highrise mixed-use development area in Downtown Phoenix. Cityscape consists of hotels, offices, residential, and retail spaces.

Tempe

The city of Tempe is just East of Phoenix. Another stunning aerial view of a metro area. Tempe is also home to beautiful botanical gardens, as well as geological clusters of rock. 

Keep your eye open for the Hayden Butte, which is a mountain in Tempe dotted with centuries-old rock art.

Tempe Town Lake 

The City of Tempe is also known for its lake. The Tempe Town Lake is an artificial perennial reservoir and it is located just north of Tempe Butte. This means that its an irrigation tank that is replenished by perennial rainfall. 

This artificial reservoir is at the junction of the Salt River and the Indian Bend Wash in Tempe, Arizona.

Queen Creek

Queen Creek hot air balloon ride

Queen Creek has many historical buildings that have been preserved. Keep your eye open for the Old Rittenhouse Elementary School or the Railroad Water Tank on Rittenhouse Road.

This city also has many cultural attractions. Look for the Queen Creek Olive Mill, which is a family-owned company the produces high-quality extra virgin. Or look for the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, which holds many events on its grounds. 

Planning Ahead for Your Hot Air Balloon Ride

Make sure to plan ahead for your ride in a hot air balloon in Phoenix. If you have a sunrise tour, they tend to leave quite early. Make sure to plan to get their early so you don't get left behind.

Also, be aware that it does get very warm being in the sun for a couple of hours. Plan on dressing accordingly (and get that sunscreen on too!).

Don't wait! Get your hot air balloon ride booked today!
Just click reserve now here www.AerogelicBallooning.com

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 

Let's Fly Away: The History of Hot Air Balloons

Hot air balloons make for an amazing experience to ride, but what's the history of them? Read on to learn all about the history of hot air balloons.

Posted by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Imagine a sea of vibrant orbs begins to swell everywhere, as the sun rises. In less than a few minutes the sky is overtaken by a technicolor migration, with shapes of all sizes and forms. From the ground, you spot rainbow-like patterns and people waving down.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival
www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Or if you're looking for a more exclusive experience you spend time observing the staff get everything ready for you. As you glance around there's only you, a nervous family member or partner smiling back to you, and a hot air balloon. You look at the ballon. You admire the striking pattern, as it inflates before you: a swirl of purples, oranges, reds, and blues. And it inspires wonder.
If you feel like concluding your bucket list by admiring specks of the horizon and celebrate the oldest form of aviation, book a balloon ride. You won't regret it. What began as a 15-minute ride in France that included passengers like a sheep, a duck, and rooster is now one of the most popular outdoor activities in the world.
The history of hot air balloons is one worth reading. Across centuries, scientists and engineers became fascinated with the idea of inflating a craft using paper, cloths, and adhesive tape. Can you believe that the first balloon ride was powered by burning chopped wool and dyed horse manure?
Today thousands of people travel to famous locations around the world to experience the wonder of flying. If you feel like learning more about the history of this fascinating air technology keep reading below.

History of Hot Air Balloons 

It's still not clear who or where the first hot air balloon was invented, but historians point to three countries around the world, for possible origins. It said that in the 3rd century in China "sky lanterns" were developed and used as military signaling.
Although they were unmanned, and no archaeological evidence has been found, the lanterns supposedly helped solve problems of aerial navigation. Soon after, the Mongolian army studied the technique and used it during the battle of Legnica during the Mongol invasion of Poland in 1241.
7,951 miles away from China, is Peru a country were, according to a 1667 Mexican newspaper issue, Nazca Indians used hot air balloons to create the famous Nazca Line Drawings. This fact draws us back to the period 700 B.C. to 200 A.D. Talk about going back in time.
For centuries scientists and philosopher wrote about the physics of law to try and understand how gaseous elements could fill a balloon to the point of inflating it and making it rise up into the air. Among the designers of the hot air balloon is Jacques Charles whom with the help of Anne-Jean and Nicolas-Louis Robert constructed a lightweight, airtight gas bag.
On the 23rd of August 1783 in the Place des Victoires, Paris, the Robert brothers and Charles filled the worlds first hydrogen balloon. Soon daily progress of the inflation began to spread, attracting a crowd that included Benjamin Franklin as an onlooker.
Yet, it wasn't until June that the first hot air balloon was flown with the first (non-human) living creatures in a basket attached to the balloon. The passengers included a sheep, a duck, and a rooster.
Wealthy brothers and papermakers  Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier named their unmanned craft Aerostat Réveillon. The hot-air balloon flight lasted eight minutes and covered two miles, obtaining an altitude of about 1,500 feet.
After experimenting with unmanned balloons and flights with animals, the Montgolfier brothers' attempts pushed the scientists Jean-Francois Pilatre to test out the first flight with human passengers. So in November Francois and a French soldier, Marquis Francois rose to almost 50 feet on the balloon. The two men traveled just over five miles in 25 minutes.
Not long after the trip, on December 1st Professor Jacques Charles made the first gas balloon flight from Paris and stayed on the air for two hours, traveling at a height of up to 2,000 feet. Soon after his successful landing, balloon flight became an attraction. People began to look for sponsors to finance the construction of balloons with the promise of profit from spectator tickets sold to view the launch.

Crossing Countries on a Hot Air Balloon  

Jean-Pierre Blanchard considered the be a pioneer on the flight made the first manned flight of a balloon in the United States on January 10, 1793. After crossing the English Channel, Blanchard's hydrogen-filled balloon took off from a prison yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
And guess where the flight landed? In Gloucester County, New Jersey! Even President George Washington was amongst the spectators that witnessed the famous takeoff. Gas balloons were the most common type of craft until the 1960s. Since pilots wanted to control directions they came up with a new design.
In no time pilots began using steerable balloons powered by steam engines.
But, the process slowed down the balloons so balloonist opted for internal combustion engines. This technology made dirigibles very practical. In 1972, a German engineer, Paul Haenlein flew the first internal combustion motor-powered balloon.

Challenges and Achievements in the Air 

There are many pivotal points in the history of hot air balloons that inspired courageous people to reach new heights. Here are a few events worth remembering:
1. New Altitude Record: In 1932 Swiss scientists Auguste Piccard was the first person to reach the Stratosphere. He reached a height of 52,498 feet.
2. Crossing the Atlantic: In 1978 A balloon by the name of the Double Eagle 11 was the first one of it's kind to cross the Atlantic. The model was helium-filled, and it carried three passengers. Their flight lasted 137 hours.
3. Crossing the Pacific: Three years later four pilots launched a balloon from Japan. The Double Eagle V landed 84 hours later in Mendocino National Forest, California.
4. Spirit of Freedom Around the World: On July 3rd, 2002, Steve Fossett became the first person to fly around the world alone, without stopping. He launched the balloon Spirit of Freedom from Western Australia on June 19th and returned two weeks later. The duration of his solo flight was 13 days and 20,482 miles were flown, to mark the record of the longest distance achieved in a balloon.
We've come a long way since the first flight--and modern riders are happier for it!

Specks Across The Horizon  

Today thousands of people travel to famous locations around the world to experience the wonder of flying on hot-air balloons. The trips turn more exciting when you learn a little about the history of hot air balloons and how the activity is practiced today. If you want to take advantage of human creativity and progress look no further than the U.S.
Make sure you take hot air balloon rides in places like Phoenix, Arizona. The city of the "Valley of the Sun" has over ten balloon ride expeditions that offer you a unique view over the youngest and wettest desert in the world. Be an onlooker as the balloon departs, and see how everything you know just becomes smaller and smaller. At that moment you too become a speck across the horizon.

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com