How to Open Your Own Hot Air Balloon Business

If you're a hot air balloon enthusiast, then why not make your hobby into a business? Thousands of people around the world make a very good living providing hot air balloon rides. The first thing you need to do is educate yourself about the things you need to do before opening a business.

You'll need land, for sure. And the land must be zoned for giving hot air balloon rides. By visiting your local municipal building, you can find out all the requirements as far as land is concerned. You'll also need to be certified by the FAA to fly a hot air balloon. This is achieved by taking an exam and logging a particular number of flight time hours with a qualified instructor.

Many people start off by giving hot air balloon rides for a company before starting their own business. The money you make working for someone else can be used as capital for your own business. A hot air balloon costs about as much as a new boat or car -- anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. You'll need accessories such as extra tanks, repair kits, and other components to make your flights safe as possible. These extras will run a few thousand dollars on their own.

Let's not forget insurance. You'll need hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of insurance coverage to make sure you don't get sued by an unhappy customer. It rarely happens, but if it did and you weren't insured, you'd be in big trouble. Most customers won't even consider a hot air balloon provider that's not insured.

And...last but not least, you'll need a crew! Not only does your crew help set up and take down the balloon, they also will need to follow the balloon on the ground to meet it when it lands and collect passengers and equipment. This is called a chase crew, and their wages will vary depending on your local area and personal preferences. Pay your crew fairly to ensure you'll get the best workers your money can buy. A happy crew is a successful crew...and a pilot is nowhere without one!

So how much do you charge for a hot air balloon ride? That's up to you! There are many creative ways you can make money, including special package deals for groups, families, and couples. Hot air balloon rides range in price from $100 up to $500 or more per person, depending on the company and amenities offered. Most companies offer post-flight brunches complete with champagne to celebrate a successful flight, and some offer commemorative photographs as well.

With the right education, some serious creativity and a little hard work, you can own and operate a thriving hot air balloon rides business that will keep customers coming back for more!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Hot Air Balloon News:
Tony Rotino Senior Center in Cape Coral makes dreams come true - The News-Press

Tony Rotino Senior Center in Cape Coral makes dreams come true
The News-Press
So far, he's received a few dozen wishes ranging from a hot air balloon ride to auto repair. "We look for something from the heart," he said. .

and more »
..

Museum Of The Month: Bank Of England Museum - Londonist

Londonist
Museum Of The Month: Bank Of England Museum
Londonist
So is there a hot air balloon inside there? Erm, yes, in fact there is. This is a brilliant small free museum that educates and entertains. .

..

Carly Gets Convention's "Buzz" Moment - NBC Bay Area

Carly Gets Convention's "Buzz" Moment
NBC Bay Area
Instead Boxer is a hot air balloon. She is depicted as an out of touch giant, casting dark shadows on the golden state as she floats high above it. .

and more »
..

World's balloons coming to BC for 4th time - Battle Creek Enquirer

World's balloons coming to BC for 4th time
Battle Creek Enquirer
. Federation of America and the Holiday Balloon Fest Inc. of Battle Creek to host the 2012 20th World Hot Air Balloon Championship in Battle Creek. .

and more »
..

ABU DHABI TARGETS ATTRACTING 3.0 MILLION TOURISTS BY 2012 - Brunei News, Brunei Headlines from Brunei fm

ABU DHABI TARGETS ATTRACTING 3.0 MILLION TOURISTS BY 2012
Brunei News, Brunei Headlines from Brunei fm
EURœOur attraction base has expanded significantly with the introduction of new boat tours, hot air balloon rides over the desert, helicopter tours over the .

and more »
..

NLEX set to unwrap first travel fair for the North - Manila Bulletin

NLEX set to unwrap first travel fair for the North
Manila Bulletin
Other MNTC efforts to promote tourism in the North includes participation in events like the Panagbenga in Baguio City and Hot Air Balloon Festival in .

..

Thinking Outside The Box: Area Couple Builds Dome Home - NorthEscambia.com

NorthEscambia.com
Thinking Outside The Box: Area Couple Builds Dome Home
NorthEscambia.com
The dome structure starts with a reinforced concrete tension ring to which a plasticized airform (balloon) is attached and inflated. .

..

Fiorina follows 'Demon Sheep' with heavenly hot air - CNET

Fiorina follows 'Demon Sheep' with heavenly hot air
CNET
However, this new ad, which poetically compares California Senator Barbara Boxer to a hot air balloon, suggests that its creators have been doing nothing .

and more »
..

Brian's Mixtape #27: Hot to Trot - For Folk's Sake

For Folk's Sake
Brian's Mixtape #27: Hot to Trot
For Folk's Sake
Following last week's shameful booze-fuelled fiasco, Brian's plunged like a lead balloon into a pit of depression so deep and wide that it's .

..

Carly Fiorina downs sinister Democrat hot air balloon - Register

Carly Fiorina downs sinister Democrat hot air balloon
Register
. as Campbell's camp described it, we can't help feeling that in the wake of the Boxer hot air balloon shocker, "Carly for California" is planning to pop .

and more »
..