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Questions and Answers about Ballooning

How big is the balloon?

Dreamtime is 75 feet tall, 57 feet in diameter, and holds 88,000 cubic feet of air.  That's about seven times larger than a three-bedroom house.

What is the basket made of?

Most baskets (ours included) are made of hand-woven wicker, which is strong and flexible.  Strong ropes connect the basket to the envelope (fabric), and pass beneath the basket to support it all.

What is the balloon made of?

The envelope (the colorful part most people think of as "the balloon") is made of lightweight, ripstop nylon, coated to make it airtight.  Heavy nylon webbing ("load tape") joins the panels of fabric together and provides strength to the envelope.

How much does it weigh?

The basket weighs just under 140 pounds; each fuel tank (there are 3) weighs about 70 pounds when full, and the envelope weighs 240 pounds.  All together, that's about 600 pounds.

What is the fuel?

We burn propane (or LP) gas, the same type used in your backyard grill.  We carry three 10-gallon tanks, enough fuel for an hour's flight in the summertime.

Where do you fly?

We often launch from Lake Zorinsky, Chalco Hills, or Standing Bear Lake in west Omaha (see Flight Locations).  We also launch from sites near Waterloo and Ashland that permit flights along the Elkhorn and Platte River valleys.  We have even launched from our passenger's rural property!

How much does a ride cost?

Our rate for a one-hour flight for two is $425.  For first-time fliers, your flight is followed by a traditional, complimentary champagne (or sparkling cider) toast.

Do you need a license to fly a balloon?

Yes.  Balloons are aircraft, regulated in the same way as airplanes and helicopters.  Balloon pilots must obtain an FAA private (flying for sport or pleasure) or commercial (flying for hire) pilot certificate.  The FAA gives oral, written and flight exams for all pilots, and requires that pilots receive recurrent training.  If you'd like to learn to fly a balloon, we can teach you how.

How do you steer?

While we can't control which direction the wind is blowing, we can choose at what altitude to fly.  And, since the wind direction often varies at different altitudes, by flying higher or lower we can change course by flying in those different winds.

How long can you fly?

Most of our flights last around an hour.  In colder temperatures, we use less fuel, and may choose to fly longer.  The choice of landing sites often determines when the flight will end.

How do you go up and down?

We ascend by using the burner to add heat, and descend by letting the envelope cool, or by releasing a little heat through the vent in the top.  To maintain level flight, we add 2-3 seconds of heat every minute or so.

Is it quiet?

Very.  Sound carries up from the ground quite well.  There's no engine noise except for the occasional sound of the burner, so you can very easily hear people calling to us, deer running through the corn, and other sounds from hundreds of feet below.

Is it cold up there?

Not really.  In fact, especially in the morning, the temperature can often be 10 or 15 degrees warmer just a few hundred feet up.  For it to get really cold, we'd have to go up several thousand feet.

How fast do you fly?

We travel only as fast as the wind blows.  To allow for a safe launch and landing, we choose to fly only when surface winds are less than 10 miles an hour.

Where can I learn more about ballooning?

To learn more about ballooning in Nebraska, visit the Nebraska Balloon Club website.  Or see the Balloon Federation of America website or visit the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa.

If you have a question we haven't answered, drop us a note at info@DreamtimeBalloon.com.  We'd love to hear from you.

Contact webmaster with questions or comments.