Ladybird Balloons, Nottingham

Our balloon flights start at just £109!

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:43:28 GMT

Welcome to Ladybird Balloons!

Ladybird Balloons are a small family owned Hot Air Balloon company run by David and Maria Griffiths. We are based in the Vale of Belvoir, on the borders of Leicester, Nottingham and Lincoln in England.

Where do we fly?

Flights take place over the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland Water and the Derbyshire Dales. We also do dawn, dusk, sunrise and sunset flights.

How much does it cost?

Flights start at ~~£125 per person~~ £109 per person for flights booked before 31st March 2010! You can find prices of our hot air balloon flights here.

What is included in a flight?

Flights generally last between 60 and 90 minutes, and are followed by a a certificate and champagne toast. You can find full details of your balloon flight here.

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased by cheque or credit card over the phone. The number to call is 01949 877566.

Can I give a ticket as a gift?

Yes, you can find full details of gift balloon tickets here.

North Pole Trek in aid of St. Dunstan's

We would like to offer out support to former balloonist Mike Scholes in his trek to the North Pole on behalf of St. Dunstan's, see www.northpole2010.org for more information.

Photos from last Season

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:40:36 GMT

Here is a collection showing some of our favourite photos from previous flights.

Gift Tickets

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:33:27 GMT

Give the Gift of an Unforgettable Experience

Why not give the gift of a balloon flight this year? Our gift tickets make a great present for a friend, relative or even yourself, for any occasion. Vouchers are valid for 12 months.

Sunrise vouchers are valid June, July and August. 2009 only. They can be upgraded to one of our other packages during the validity period on payment of a balancing fee.

We recommend buying Gift tickets via the telephone - tickets can be purchased by cheque or credit card over the phone. The number to call is 01949 877566.

When purchasing a ticket for somebody else please notify us of his/her weight when booking.
Any persons with medical conditions should seek advice from their doctor before booking.

What to Expect - How Balloons Work

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:20:27 GMT

Preflight preparation

Before a safe hot air balloon flight can begin, the pilot must check the weather and select a suitable take-off point. The current and forecast weather must have sufficient visibility for the pilot to see and avoid obstructions (little or no fog or low clouds) and sufficiently slow winds to allow take off and landing (less than 5 or 10 mph depending on skill and experience of pilot, passengers, and ground crew).

The take-off point must be large enough to lay out and inflate the envelope and clear of obstructions such as power lines and poles, trees, and buildings to allow lift-off under the predicted wind conditions. Finally, the take-off point must be situated such that the predicted winds will move the balloon in the direction of suitable landing sites. Taking off from a location that is directly up wind of a hazard, such as a large body of water, a large metropolitan area, or a large uninterrupted forest, without sufficient fuel to pass over the hazard is not safe.

Set up

Hot air balloon being inflated by its propane burners prior to a dawn launch.

The next step in a hot air balloon flight is unpacking the balloon from its carrying bag, laying it out on the ground, and connecting it to the basket and burner. A fan (often gasoline-powered) is used to blow cold (outside) air into the envelope. The cold air partially inflates the balloon to establish its basic shape before the burner flame is aimed into the mouth heating the air inside. A crew member stationed opposite the mouth, holds a rope (crown line) tied to the apex (crown) of the envelope. The "crown-man" role is twofold: one is to prevent the envelope from excessive sway, and two is to prevent the envelope from rising before it is sufficiently buoyant. Once the balloon is upright, pilot and passengers climb into the basket. When the pilot is ready for launch, more heat is directed into the envelope and the balloon lifts off.

The crew then pack up inflation equipment and follow the balloon with the retrieve vehicle (also called a chase vehicle).

Flight

During the flight, the pilot's only ability to steer the balloon is the ability to climb or descend into wind currents going different directions. Thus, it is important for the pilot to determine what direction the wind is blowing at altitudes other than the balloon's altitude. To do this, the pilot uses a variety of techniques. For example, to determine wind directions beneath the balloon a pilot might simply spit or release a squirt of shaving cream and watch this indicator as it falls to determine where possible turns are (and their speed). Pilots are also looking for other visual clues such as flags on flagpoles, smoke coming from chimneys, etc. To determine wind directions above the balloon, the pilot will obtain a weather forecast prior to the flight which includes upper level wind forecasts. The pilot will also send up a helium pilot balloon, known as a met-balloon, prior to launch to get information about what the wind is actually doing. Another way to determine actual wind directions is to watch other hot air balloons, which are the equivalent of a large met-balloon.

Control

The inside of a hot air balloon's envelope, seen from the gondola.

The direction of flight depends on the wind, but the altitude of the balloon can be controlled by changing the temperature of the air inside the envelope. The pilot may open one or more burner blast valves to increase the temperature inside the envelope, thereby increasing lift, and thus ascend or slow or stop a descent. The pilot may also open a vent, if the envelope is so equipped, to let hot air escape, decreasing the temperature inside the envelope, thereby decreasing lift, and thus descend or slow or stop an ascent. Unless the pilot intervenes, the air inside the envelope will slowly cool, by seepage or by contact with cooler outside air, and slowly provide less lift.

Delayed response

One of the tricks involved in flying a balloon is learning to deal with the delayed response. To slow or stop a descent requires the pilot to open a burner blast valve. This sends hot combustion exhaust through the mouth into the envelope where it expands and forces some cooler air out of the mouth. This lightens the total weight of the system and increases its buoyancy, but not immediately. From the time that the burner is lit until the balloon slows or stops its descent can take 30 seconds or more, depending on its rate of descent, how cold it has become, and how powerful the burner. This delay requires a great deal of anticipation on the part of the pilot.

Steerage

The ability to change direction with altitude is called steerage. In the ideal case, in the northern hemisphere, wind direction turns to the right with an increase in altitude. This is due to the Coriolis effect. Winds spiral clockwise, when seen from above, out of a high pressure system and counter clockwise into a low pressure system. However, air traveling close to the ground will tend to move in more of a straight line from high to low pressure due to drag with the ground. Thus, a pilot may hope to find a turn to the left during the descent to landing. In the southern hemisphere, the direction of the spirals are reversed. In reality, interaction with an uneven terrain may lessen or completely eliminate this phenomenon.

Level Flight

The burner is designed to create enough heat to warm up the balloon quickly. It is most efficient only when wide open. There is no good way to maintain the exact temperature required to maintain equilibrium.

Add to that the fact that when a hot air balloon is not actively being heated, it is cooling off. This means that it is in perfect equalibrium only momentarily. The rest of the time it is either too warm or too cool and so either climbing or decending.

These two facts together mean that under most conditions level flight is anything but. The goal of the pilot is to light the burner at the right interval and for the right duration (a few seconds) to keep the balloon slowly drifting up and down about the desired altitude.

An exception is made when flying close to the ground, as in an approach to a landing. Then the burner may be lit for very short bursts at a much higher frequency, thus sacrificing efficiency for accuracy.

Chase

A typical chase vehicle with room for the equipment, chase crew, pilot, and all passengers.

While it is certainly possible to enjoy the sport of hot air ballooning without a chase vehicle, returning from the landing site by foot, bicycle, or hitch hiking, many balloonists opt to be followed by their ground crew in some sort of chase vehicle. Crew at the landing site can aid with the landing itself, by catching a drop line and guiding the balloon into a tight space; with extracting the balloon system from a remote location, such as deep in a farmer's field; and with packing up all the equipment.

There are two primary options in chase systems: with a trailer or without. A trailer can provide a lot more room but at the cost of being more difficult to maneuver, especially when turning around in tight locations. A pickup truck or van by itself can be a lot more maneuverable but at the cost of squeezing all the equipment, crew, pilot, and passengers into a single vehicle. Many chase vehicles are fitted with a cargo liftgate to aid in loading heavy equipment into the cargo space (the envelope itself can weigh 250 lbs or more).

Communication between the balloon and chase vehicle can be accomplished by two-way radio, mobile phone, or even shouting, when they are close enough together.

Landing

Most pilots try to perform as smooth a landing as possible. This becomes difficult if the air at ground level is moving at more than 5 mph or so. If the balloon is moving at this speed or more when it contacts the ground, the basket (which usually does not have wheels of any kind on the bottom) may drag for a bit or even tip over. Even the presence of ground crew may not help much. The combined weight (for an average passenger-carrying system as calculated above) can easily exceed the weight of a large automobile. (It is best not to be on the downwind side of a landing balloon to avoid being pinned between it and a hard place.) Pilots can improve the situation by landing in a spot protected from the wind, such as behind a line of trees or in a small valley.

Once the balloon has landed, the envelope is deflated and detached from the basket. The envelope is then packed into its carrying bag. The burner and the basket may be separated and all components are packed into the retrieve vehicle.

Our Balloons

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:18:25 GMT

We have two balloons, the original belvoir ballon and the ladybird balloon.

The Belvoir Balloon

We have been flying the original Belvoir Balloon for over 10 years and in that time it has provided an unforgettable experience to many people.

The Ladybird Balloon

In 2008 we were pleased to announce that the ladybird balloon had joined us. It has been a famous sight in the skies of the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland water and the Derbyshire Dales for many years

Buy Tickets Online

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:17:43 GMT

Buy your tickets online and pay via PayPal or call us on 01949 877566 (tickets are valid for one year).

CHAMPAGNE SUNRISE

Exhilarating sunrise champagne Flights, from our Derbyshire Dales and Vale of Belvoir launch sites.

Valid Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

~~£125 per person.~~ £109 per person for flights booked during October 2009!

CHAMPAGNE SUNSET

Float Into the sunset on a champagne Midweek (Tues - Thurs) Evening Flight from a launch site near you.

~~£145 per person.~~ £139 per person for flights booked during October 2009!

SUPER FLEXIBLE "ANY TIME" FLIGHT

Sunrise, Sunset, Midweek or Weekend flights from a launch site near you.

~~£155 per person.~~ £149 per person for flights booked during October 2009!

PREMIUM SUPER FLEX VOUCHER WITH WEATHER INSURANCE

If your flight is cancelled for weather conditions on 5 or more occasion, a full refund will be available.

~~£165 per person.~~ £159 per person for flights booked during October 2009!

Prices and Booking Details

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:17:08 GMT

Tickets are valid for one year.

We offer several packages allowing you to choose the right time and price for you:

CHAMPAGNE SUNRISE

Exhilarating sunrise champagne Flights, from our Derbyshire Dales and Vale of Belvoir launch sites.

Valid Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

~~£125 per person.~~ £109 per person for flights booked before 31st March 2010!

CHAMPAGNE SUNSET

Float Into the sunset on a champagne Midweek (Tues - Thurs) Evening Flight from a launch site near you.

~~£145 per person.~~ £139 per person for flights booked before 31st March 2010!

SUPER FLEXIBLE "ANY TIME" FLIGHT

Sunrise, Sunset, Midweek or Weekend flights from a launch site near you.

~~£155 per person.~~ £149 per person for flights booked before 31st March 2010!

PREMIUM SUPER FLEX VOUCHER WITH WEATHER INSURANCE

If your flight is cancelled for weather conditions on 5 or more occasion, a full refund will be available.

~~£165 per person.~~ £159 per person for flights booked before 31st March 2010!

You can either book these tickets via the phone by calling 01949 877566.

Your Flight

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:14:41 GMT

Drift on the wind and enjoy one of the last great adventures!

Flights take place over the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland water and the Derbyshire Dales.

Experience flying like never before, see and hear things you wouldn’t imagine.

Soar high in the sky and let the views below take your breath away!

The Flight

Flights generally last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the wind. please allow 3-4 hours for your excursion.

During April to September we launch just after dawn or 2 hours before sunset, avoiding the unstable daytime “thermal” winds.

From October to March this is not a problem and we fly mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Ballooning is a participation sport. Please be prepared to help with the inflation and packing away of the balloon!

You should wear clothes suitable for a walk in the countryside. natural fibres are recommended for safety’s sake, with boots, flat shoes or trainers.

The Ladybird Balloon

Family and friends may follow the balloon and its retrieve vehicle in their own cars. Upon landing please do not enter any land until permission has been obtained by the retrieve crew.

When the balloon has been packed away, we will celebrate your first flight with a certificate and champagne toast. Passengers will then be transported back to the launch site in a 4x4 vehicle if required.

Our aim is to give you a fun flight and magical experience, with safety! Please bear with us if the British weather does not co-operate. We cannot guarantee that flights booked on a specific date will take place on that date.

Don't forget, you now have the choice of flying in the famous ladybird balloon for a truly unforgettable experience!

History of Ballooning

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:05:42 GMT

The first clearly recorded instance of a balloon carrying passengers used hot air to generate buoyancy and was built by the brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier in Annonay, France. These brothers came from a family of paper manufacturers and had noticed ash rising in paper fires. The Montgolfier brothers gave their first public demonstration of their invention on June 4, 1783. After experimenting with unmanned balloons and flights with animals, the first tethered balloon flight with humans on board took place on October 19, 1783 with the scientist Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, the manufacture manager, Jean-Baptiste Réveillon and Giroud de Villette, at the Folie Titon in Paris. The first free flight with human passengers was on 21 November 1783.

King Louis XVI had originally decreed that condemned criminals would be the first pilots, but de Rozier, along with Marquis Francois d'Arlandes, successfully petitioned for the honor. The first hot air balloons were essentially cloth bags (sometimes lined with paper) with a smoky fire built on a grill attached to the bottom. They were susceptible to catching fire, often upon landing, although this occurred infrequently.

Only a few days later, on December 1, 1783, Professor Jacques Charles and Nicholas Louis Robert made the first gas balloon flight, also from Paris. The hydrogen filled balloon flew to almost 2,000 feet (600 m), stayed aloft for over two hours and covered a distance of 27 miles (43 km), landing in the small town of Nesle.
Balloon landing in Mashgh square, Iran(Persia), at the time of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, around 1850.

The next great challenge was to fly across the English Channel, a feat accomplished on January 7, 1785 by Jean-Pierre Blanchard.

Blanchard went on to make the first manned flight of a balloon in America on January 9, 1793. His hydrogen filled balloon took off from a prison yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The flight reached 5,800 feet (1,770 m) and landed in Gloucester County, New Jersey. President George Washington was among the guests observing the takeoff.

Gas balloons became the most common type from the 1790s until the 1960s.

The first steerable balloon (also known as a dirigible) was flown by Henri Giffard in 1852. Powered by a steam engine, it was too slow to be effective. Like heavier than air flight, the internal combustion engine made dirigibles—especially blimps—practical, starting in the late 19th century.