Balloon Joy Flights - Balloon Joy Flights Pty. Ltd.
Our Flying Area - Canowindra NSW Australia
Our home base is on our farm vineyard 8
kilometers North of Canowindra. This is approximately four hours drive from
Sydney and two hours from Canberra. We conduct our flights around and over
Canowindra in the central west of NSW between Orange and Cowra. Launch sites
vary according to the wind direction on the day so as to make every flight a
scenic and memorable experience. We also travel to festivals throughout
Australia and have even travelled to farms throughout NSW to fly families over
their own properties.
Our Pilot
Graham Kerr (our Chief Pilot) has been
flying hot air balloons as a commercial pilot since 1988 and he has over
1000 hours experience flying in most states of Australia. Commercial pilots are
licenced by The Civil Aviation Safety Authority and as such are subject to
regular medical checks and bi-annual flight reviews. Graham has experience in
many aspects of commercial ballooning including passenger flights and aerial
promotions for sponsors. He is also an Australian Balloon Federation Instructor.
Flight Options Available
All flight options listed below finish with a presentation flight certificate
and a catered champagne breakfast with espresso coffee at our own winery. We
also cater for non flying accompanying friends.
Sunrise Flights
Sunrise Flights last for 45 minutes to 1 hour flying time depending on
available landing sites. We recommend you allow at least three to four hours
with us. This is the ultimate ballooning experience conducted by our resident
commercial pilot who gives a full commentary on how the balloon works coupled
with local knowledge. Ballooning is a magic experience.
Group Flights
Group Flights are offered for groups of 6 to 24 people booking and flying
together. These flights are designed to give you a taste of ballooning and at a
less expensive price and last for a minimum of 30 minutes flying time. This
package is suitable for family reunions, sporting & social clubs, special
interest groups and fundraising.
Special Occasion Flights
We do weddings, marriage proposals, birthdays, product launches, field days,
and Company promotions. Click Here to Contact
us at gjkerr.com.au with your own unique idea.
Gift Certificates
Give a special gift to someone special in your life.
To purchase a gift certificate click here for the on-line order form
Certificates are valid for 18 months from the date of purchase.
Prices
You will be happy to find our prices are very attractive. Group bookings
attract special discounts.
-Book
Online
Meeting Place
If you are staying at commercial accommodation within Canowindra town limits,
overnight, we provide you with a courtesy pickup service at the agreed meeting
time and return you back after the flight. Casual day passengers are normally
met at the Canowindra Post Office. The meeting place is confirmed the evening
before the flight when you phone for a weather check.
Balloon Size
Our balloons carry either 6 or 9 passengers on one leg of the
flight. On any given flight there may be multiple legs.
Who Can Fly
Minimum age 5 years. Parents please be aware that smaller
children may not be able to see over the edge of the basket. There is no maximum
age limit. It is important that we know if you under medical supervision.
Elderly folk are welcome. Due to the physical nature of hot
air ballooning a moderate level of fitness is required.
As we normally fly below 2000 feet oxygen is not necessary.
Licenses
Our company is holder of Air Operators Certificate 436280-10 issued by the
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and all balloons operated by us have current
Airworthiness Certificates. Our pilots are licensed Commercial Balloon pilots
and subject to regular flight reviews and medical examinations.
Heights
Many people have said they are afraid of heights but in more
than 25 years of commercial flying we have never had one person who had a
problem in the balloon. The takeoff is slow and gentle.
Additional Breakfasts
We encourage your friends to come along on the “chase” and join in the
post flight celebrations. A $25 charge applies.
Weather
Hot air ballooning is a weather dependent activity – we can
only safely fly in calm light winds normally below 15 km. Any flight may be
cancelled due to the wrong weather conditions but this is normally done the
night before when you phone for confirmation.
If we cancel due to safety reasons relating to the weather then we will
rebook you to another date that suits you.
Safety
For safety reasons we are unable to carry the disabled, passengers who weigh
more than 115 kg, or who are more than 12 weeks pregnant, without prior
arrangement.
What To Wear
Sturdy enclosed shoes, as feet can get wet in the early morning dew. Jeans,
jumper, beanie and a jacket that you can remove as the morning warms up. Ladies
no skirts or high heels please. It is not cold in the balloon – the coldest
part of the morning is on the ground whilst we are inflating the balloon.
Booking Terms
Cancellation by Passenger
If you cancel a confirmed booking more than 48 hours before your flight, 10%
of the total booking price will be deducted from your refund as an
administration fee.
Your flight ticket becomes fully non-refundable:
(a) if you cancel less than 48 hours before your flight; or
(b) if you fail to show up for your flight (this includes sleeping in and
getting lost)
Cancellation by Balloon Joy Flights
If your flight is cancelled by us for any reason (safety or otherwise), you
may rebook on another day to suit or receive a refund less a 10% administration
fee.
Conditions of Use
Children are defined as over 5 years and under 12 years of age and 45 kgs or
less in weight.
We do not carry passengers over 115 kgs in weight without special arrangements.
We do not advise pregnant ladies to fly.
All passengers must phone for a weather check before 7.00pm the day before the
flight. We will cancel if there is an adverse weather forecast which may affect
passengers safety and reschedule your flight to another date that suits you.
For safe loading of the balloon all passengers are required to tell us their
name and weight. Please provide these details in the “Special requirements”
box in the booking form.
In accordance with civil aviation requirements our balloons have a minimum
liftoff weight. If there are insufficient passengers for a flight we will
contact you to reschedule you to another date suitable to you.
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