ZEPHYR CHASERS
You’ve Got Questions - We’ve Got Answers
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
At a minimum: closed toed shoes and natural fiber clothing (cotton, wool, etc) required.
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For the most part just dress comfortably. If you're cold on the ground you'll be cold in the air, bring a jacket. If you're hot on the ground you'll be slightly less hot in the air. Sunrise flights start chilly and get warmer while sunset flights start warmer and get chilly. We don't know what conditions we'll be landing in, pants highly recommended but not required.
*** Nylon/polyester/synthetic clothing is not advised.
ARE THERE ANY PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS?
Every flight is different and every passenger is different. Bare minimum each passenger MUST:
Be able to stand and stabilize themselves for at least 1 hour.
Be able to lift their knees above their waist in order to climb in to the basket
Be able to crouch/squat on their own
Be able to jump from a stair/chair and land on their feet.
Notify their pilot of any physical or mental defect that could pose a risk to a safe flight.
Notify pilot before flight if they've been SCUBA diving in the past few days.
Passengers will not be flown if they are pregnant, drunk or on drugs. If a passenger is unable or unwilling to follow directions from their pilot they will not be flown. Speak with your pilot before the flight for specific details.
HOW FAR/HIGH WILL WE GO? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO LAND?
That's all 100% weather dependent and we can't give you an exact answer. Our pilots prepare for each flight by creating a flight plan detailing forecast wind speeds and directions at various altitudes, pressure systems in the area, airspace we may need to fly through, and identifying potential launch and landing areas based on all of the above information. You'll receive a pre-flight safety briefing and our pilots will go over their intended flight plan with you. You'll be in the air for approximately an hour and our average flight altitude varies while we try to work the winds to get to where we think we can land. However if we get down to about tree top level the slightest breeze can change our flight path and landing options.
HOW LONG IS THE EXPERIENCE FROM START TO END?
Approximately 3 hours from the time we meet to the time you're on your way back home.
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PLEASE arrive on time to the meeting spot, delays push the flight schedule back which will affect our flying window, the weather, launch and landing spots, etc.
CAN MY CHILD FLY WITH ME?
Up to you really, with a few details in between.
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Children can fly but are easily bored and become fidgety. We prefer children can be able to see over the basket sides without being on their tip-toes. Any children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Child must be able to understand and follow pilot instruction without hesitation.
Children must be able to meet the physical requirements. See "Are there any physical requirements?" above.
CAN MY FRIENDS / FAMILY FOLLOW ON THE GROUND DURING OUR FLIGHT?
ABSOLUTELY! However they will need to drive their own vehicles as space in the chase vehicle is limited.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY! WHY AREN'T WE FLYING?!
For so many potential reasons ranging from unfavorable weather to pilot illness to insufficient crew availability to aircraft needing maintenance, etc. See the "Flight Conditions" page for more details.
IS THERE A BETTER TIME TO FLY?
Up to you really, with a few details in between.
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As far as balloon performance and maximum weight lifting capacity the colder the better but we recognize that passengers don't enjoy bundling up and meeting us for a sunrise flight in sub-freezing temperatures in the Winter. Summer time leads to higher temperatures which reduce balloon performance, weight lifting capacity and is generally hot and uncomfortable for many people. Spring and Fall are just the right blend of performance and comfort.
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Sunrise flights typically have calm launches and potentially breezy landings. Sunset flights may have breezy launches and typically calm landings. But if the weather for the day is overall calm and easy then everything just works out.
HOW IS THE BALLOON MAINTAINED?
Every 1 year or 100 flight hours the aircraft is inspected from top to bottom by an FAA compliant repair station.
The envelope fabric is checked in multiple ways: a porosity check to ensure it's able to hold heat sufficiently, a pull strength test to ensure it can take the pressure of a loaded gondola during flight, all stitches and seams are inspected for full strength, and any minor holes are patched or repaired. Fuel lines are checked for pressure and overall condition. Fuel tanks are checked for gauge reliability and hull degradation. The gondola is checked to ensure all pins, lines, straps and structural members are in shape.
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More inspections than the average car goes through.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT POWERLINES?
From picking our launch spots to flying through the air and coming in to land they are our #1 priority to avoid. That being said powerlines are awfully thin and hard to see from the air so we rely on constant visual scanning of our flight area looking for the poles that powerlines are mounted to. ZC ground crew know to alert their pilot of any powerlines they may be approaching and our pilots readily ask our passengers to feel free to speak up if they see something that might be a powerline. We'll always do our best to make you aware that a) We see the oncoming lines and b) We're going to avoid them. We want to go home after the flight just as much as you do.
ARE ZC PILOTS REGULATED BY THE FAA?
Yes. Any pilot working for/with ZC is an FAA certified pilot and conforms to all regulations set in place by the administration.
ARE ZC PILOTS REGISTERED WITH THE BALLOON FEDERATION OF AMERICA?
Yes. The BFA sets the national standard for all balloonists and provides safety seminars and continuing education opportunities year round. ZC pilots attend at least 1 safety seminar per year in person and a handful of others via an online option. A good pilot never stops learning.
DO BALLOONISTS NEED INSURANCE FOR THEIR AIRCRAFT LIKE I DO FOR MY CAR?
Yes. We are fully insured through IMC, one of the few balloon insurance providers in the US.
WILL YOU ACCEPT MY VOUCHER FROM XYZ COMPANY?
No. We do not accept or honor vouchers from other companies, sorry.
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Please make sure you are purchasing from or coordinating your flight directly with ZC and not a seller of vouchers. They promise a low price, but getting your ride is not easy. ZC has NEVER accepted vouchers from nationally known brokers because we don't support their business model. It is not consumer friendly and damages the community we love.
WE'D LOVE IT IF YOU LAUNCHED FROM OUR PROPERTY! CAN WE ARRANGE THAT?
ABSOLUTELY! We're always looking for new launch locations. Check the 'Homeowner Relations' page for more details, we'll reach out for initial contact and put you on our map. Anytime we're in the area we'll reach out to make sure you and any family or guests have the best view possible. Thank you VERY much for supporting us!
DO NOT LAND ON OR FLY LOWER THAN 500FT OVER MY PROPERTY. CAN I MAKE THAT OFFICIAL?
We're sorry to hear that but will absolutely respect your wishes as best as we can. Check the 'Homeowner Relations' page for more details, we'll reach out for specific information and will put you on our map. Anytime we're in the area we'll do our best to absolutely avoid your property however please note: In case of EMERGENCY it may be required that we land on your property. We'll make contact with you if that's the case and work to best resolve the situation.