[Racer X 69]

That does seem an interesting way to see the animals. I'd prefer a Landrover.

But, I learnt something this last week. The reason commercial hot air balloon flights are so expensive is because of the costs involved. If you have a friend with one, he may only ask you to pay for the gas. The commercial operators need to make a profit, so they factor in the cost of the pilot's time, the pilot's certification costs, the balloon canopy and basket certification costs and the cost of the gas. On top of that, the balloon canopy has a limited lifespan. If flown "cool", the canopy will be flown at around 90degC, while, if flown "hot", the canopy may be at 120-130degC. This deteriorates the fabric much faster and hence the shorter flight hours. If flown more gently, i.e. slower ascents, then the lifespan of the canopy can be extended. But, if pushed hard, the envelope will deteriorate faster.

If flown only during cooler weather, and with a light load, the canopy may last around 300-400 hours. But, if flown heavy, during warmer weather, and with fast ascents, the canopy has a lifespan of about 200 hours.
So, to break even, the cost is divided into the 200 hours flight time and divided by the number of passengers along with a factor based upon average numbers booked per flight. Hence the high cost per person, per flight.

And everyone deserves to earn enough to be comfortable, and get paid appropriately for the work or service they are providing, eh?

[robtcorl]

And everyone deserves to earn enough to be comfortable, and get paid appropriately for the work or service they are providing, eh?

I vote Racer for president of common sense!

[Racer X 69]

I vote Racer for president of common sense!

[MarkJerling]

And everyone deserves to earn enough to be comfortable, and get paid appropriately for the work or service they are providing, eh?

Indeed. So, for example, if you have a $15,000 basket, burners and gas bottles hanging from a $80,000 balloon, and you're looking at certifying the commercial pilot and the balloon and other gear, roughly $22,000 every two years, you can see how quickly it all adds up to quite a bit of money. On top of that it's a good few hundy to refill the gas bottles and then there's support vehicles and support crew etc.

[savoche]

That does seem an interesting way to see the animals. I'd prefer a Landrover.

Nah, they mostly use Landcruisers these days. I think the last time I sat in a Landrover was in Zimbabwe. And before that in Tanzania, but they apologised for the inconvenience and promised to transfer us to Landcruisers as soon as possible

But, I learnt something this last week. The reason commercial hot air balloon flights are so expensive is because of the costs involved. If you have a friend with one, he may only ask you to pay for the gas. The commercial operators need to make a profit, so they factor in the cost of the pilot's time, the pilot's certification costs, the balloon canopy and basket certification costs and the cost of the gas. On top of that, the balloon canopy has a limited lifespan. If flown "cool", the canopy will be flown at around 90degC, while, if flown "hot", the canopy may be at 120-130degC. This deteriorates the fabric much faster and hence the shorter flight hours. If flown more gently, i.e. slower ascents, then the lifespan of the canopy can be extended. But, if pushed hard, the envelope will deteriorate faster.

If flown only during cooler weather, and with a light load, the canopy may last around 300-400 hours. But, if flown heavy, during warmer weather, and with fast ascents, the canopy has a lifespan of about 200 hours.
So, to break even, the cost is divided into the 200 hours flight time and divided by the number of passengers along with a factor based upon average numbers booked per flight. Hence the high cost per person, per flight.

So if the canopy is patched and the pilot's response to questions of certification is "sure, I'm certifiable", that might explain the lower price?

[savoche]

Is this some kind of Viking threat, should I be worried, or just more hot air?

Nah, Vikings don't threat. They just do.

You need to polish your Glaswegian skills. Like Racer. He's fluent in Glaswegian.

[Racer X 69]

You need to polish your Glaswegian skills. Like Racer. He's fluent in Glaswegian.

Haw you!!

[MarkJerling]

Nah, they mostly use Landcruisers these days. I think the last time I sat in a Landrover was in Zimbabwe. And before that in Tanzania, but they apologised for the inconvenience and promised to transfer us to Landcruisers as soon as possible



So if the canopy is patched and the pilot's response to questions of certification is "sure, I'm certifiable", that might explain the lower price?

Caveat emptor

[tim60]

If you do that, everything to the left will be United (no states, just one big mass), and everything to the right will just be States, nothing united about 'em.

These things need to be properly thought through before folks just head off galavanting...

Or do you mean United like the soccer business that left out City when it united the town?

[tim60]

And everyone deserves to earn enough to be comfortable, and get paid appropriately for the work or service they are providing, eh?

Need one word for that: "Yes."

[tim60]

Indeed. So, for example, if you have a $15,000 basket, burners and gas bottles hanging from a $80,000 balloon, and you're looking at certifying the commercial pilot and the balloon and other gear, roughly $22,000 every two years, you can see how quickly it all adds up to quite a bit of money. On top of that it's a good few hundy to refill the gas bottles and then there's support vehicles and support crew etc.

And the cost of money for all that capital.

[robtcorl]

And the cost of money for all that capital.

Guess I haven't put enough coffee in me yet to understand that statement.

[CharLac]

That does seem an interesting way to see the animals. I'd prefer a Landrover.

But, I learnt something this last week. The reason commercial hot air balloon flights are so expensive is because of the costs involved. If you have a friend with one, he may only ask you to pay for the gas. The commercial operators need to make a profit, so they factor in the cost of the pilot's time, the pilot's certification costs, the balloon canopy and basket certification costs and the cost of the gas. On top of that, the balloon canopy has a limited lifespan. If flown "cool", the canopy will be flown at around 90degC, while, if flown "hot", the canopy may be at 120-130degC. This deteriorates the fabric much faster and hence the shorter flight hours. If flown more gently, i.e. slower ascents, then the lifespan of the canopy can be extended. But, if pushed hard, the envelope will deteriorate faster.

If flown only during cooler weather, and with a light load, the canopy may last around 300-400 hours. But, if flown heavy, during warmer weather, and with fast ascents, the canopy has a lifespan of about 200 hours.
So, to break even, the cost is divided into the 200 hours flight time and divided by the number of passengers along with a factor based upon average numbers booked per flight. Hence the high cost per person, per flight.

Actually a guy I know (used to work with him) is a top ranked balloonist in Canada and travels the world now in his retirement doing all things ballooning. If I ever meet up with him I will have to ask about joining him for a flight.

[savoche]

Haw you!!

Awright, I think I know what happened to Bertie (explained in Lesson 2 at about 1 minute in)

You Tube

You Tube

[Racer X 69]

Guess I haven't put enough coffee in me yet to understand that statement.

I think he meant to comment on how much money it costs to have all the equipment and paraphernalia associated with operating a hot air balloon.