FAQ - Big oh! Balloons - Hot Air Balloon Flights in North Carolina...famous since 1981

WHAT TIME DO WE MEET? WHERE DO WE MEET?

Your reservation time will be at sunrise or about two hours before sunset. Meet-up times in the mornings change throughout the year, ranging from 7 a.m. in wintertime to about 6 a.m. in the summer, and afternoon times can be as early as 3 p.m. in the winter to about 6:30 p.m. in summer. Just let us know the date you are interested in, and we'll let you know the meeting time. We fly from Cool Spring BalloonPort just east of Statesville, NC, about three miles south of I-40. Here's a link to our map.

WHY DO YOU ONLY FLY EARLY IN THE MORNING OR IN THE LATE AFTERNOON?

At sunrise and just before sunset are the times each day when the weather is coolest and the winds are the calmest — the perfect conditions for ballooning.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I ALLOW FOR MY ADVENTURE?

For the entire adventure you should allow about three hours. This includes getting the balloon ready for launch, the approximately one-hour-long balloon flight, packing up and driving back to the balloonport, and the traditional champagne celebration after the flight. There is never a guaranteed time that we are finished, but three hours is the general time frame. Every flight is a different adventure!

HOW HIGH WILL WE GO?

Typically, we fly from tree-tops to about 1,500 feet, depending on the winds. We might fly higher if conditions warrant that. Let us know if you'd like to stay low or fly high, and we'll see if that can work during your flight.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

You should wear casual clothing that's suited to the temperature, along with comfortable, outdoor shoes. (Please don't wear sandals, flip flops or open-toed shoes, but rather walking shoes, athletic type shoes or hiking boots.) We suggest wearing light layers so that you can easily adjust to the temperature as the sun comes up or begins to set. In the mornings, the coolest you will be is on the ground.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE FLYING WITH US?

We typically fly private flights with you and one or two others in your party. We have a minimum of two passengers in each balloon. If you have a group of more than three, let us know, and we'll arrange for several balloons to fly together — a wonderful photo opportunity for everyone! With advanced notice, we can fly as many folks as you'd like to bring.

CAN PREGNANT WOMEN FLY?

We are happy to fly women who are six months or less into their pregnancy. A doctor’s release is required. The final decision will be made by the pilot at the time of the flight depending on flight conditions.

CAN WE BRING CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS?

Yes! You will want to take pictures! We encourage you to share your pictures on our social media sites. Ask about our drone videos of your flight — available by arranging in advance.

IS IT QUIET IN THE BALLOON?

When the burner is off, it is extremely quiet. Peace and quiet are one of the most enjoyable aspects of ballooning. You can hear ground noises, like dogs barking and sometimes the creek babbling, but other than that, it's very calm and quiet.

CAN I BRING MY CHILD WITH ME?

We try to be flexible about age restrictions, so if you have children under 10, please let us know, and we will ask some questions about your child and explain how children fare on our flights. We do have a 48 inch height minimum, so they can see over the basket without being held. Children do need to be comfortable standing on their own for the approximate one-hour-long balloon flight. Also, the sound of the burners can sometimes scare younger children. This is not a constant sound you will hear, but the pilot turns the burners on every few minutes to maintain a specific altitude or fly a bit higher. You know your child better than we do, so we would like to talk with you before booking a flight with kids.