FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who is my pilot ?
   For your excursion, Jack and Sue Castellion are pilot and host respectively. Jack moved to Colorado from Wisconsin in 1985. In the summer of 1990, he moved to Steamboat, Colorado. His first morning there, he woke up to the sound of an inflator fan filling a balloon for a sunrise flight. Within two months, he was crew chief and began his pilot training. In May 1991, he received his commercial certificate and started a balloon business in Sun Valley, Idaho. To become more experienced, he moved to Napa Valley, California for two years. During this time, he got married to Sue and they started a family. They decided they wanted to raise their children in the rural Rocky Mountains and moved to Winter Park, Co in 1995 and started Grand Adventure Balloon Tours. They have attended many balloon rallies and flown over terrains ranging from the Wine Country of California to the Everglades of Florida. Jack has over 1500 hours as Pilot in Command exclusively in Hot Air Balloons, making him the most experienced balloon pilot in the Grand County.
   
   
2. What is included with my flight?
   All flights are celebrated with a Traditional Champagne Toast, Continental Breakfast, and Commemorative Flight Certificate.
   
   
3. Where do we fly?
   We fly in Grand County, Colorado. We have launch sites in Winter Park/Fraser Valley, Silvercreek, Solvista, Granby, Grand Lake, and Kremmling.
   
   
4. Where do we land?
   We land wherever the wind and the pilot take us; it may be in a wide open meadow covered with wild flowers or on a logging road or clearing in the middle of a forest.
   
   
5. How high do we fly?
   Low enough to pick pine cones from tree tops, and high enough to view the top of snow peaked mountains; then to splash and dash down to the river below. With our launch site elevation at 8500 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level), our flights often take us to 11,500 feet MSL, which is over 2 miles above sea level. Most of the flights usually take place within 1000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level); if the upper winds allow, the pilot will take you to 3000 feet AGL or higher, which will afford views of mountain peaks up to 100 miles away. If you are not comfortable with the height at which you are flying, the pilot will gladly fly you at a lower altitude.
   
   
6. I am afraid of heights; should I go?
   Unless heights put you in a state of panic, the answer is YES! We get many passengers who are uncomfortable with heights, and it does not bother them. Because they leave the ground so gradually and gently, they are often 1000 feet up and comfortable before they realize they have left the ground. Most passengers with a fear of heights feel a sense of accomplishment and say they would do it again.
   
   
7. How long is the ride?
   The flights are usually one hour. And the entire excursion is about three hours.
   
   
8. How many people fit in the basket?
   We are currently using two baskets. One holds 2 - 3 passengers and the other holds 4 - 8 passengers. We are planning on getting a balloon for 10 passengers next spring.
   
   
   
9. Is it windy in the balloon?
   No. Because the balloon moves with the wind, the only time one will feel a breeze is if the balloon is going up or down or changing from one direction to another.
   
   
10. When do we fly?
    We fly early mornings with the sunrise, when the atmosphere is most stable and predictable. We do not operate in Grand County in winds over 6 miles per hour.
    
    
11. What if it we get bad weather?
    The flight is cancelled with no charge to the passengers. The pilot gets all available weather information, including a flight briefing from the FAA, in order to determine if conditions are flyable or not.
    
    
12. How do we get back to the launch field?
    The trained crew will drive passengers back in one of our trucks or passenger vans.
    
    
13. Should I bring a camera?
    Yes, Yes, Yes bring your camera, video camera and lots of film!
    
    
14. Is it cold in the balloon?
    It is usually warmer in the balloon than on the ground. Warm air rises, and in Mountain Valleys, we get a temperature inversion; in the winter, it can be 30 degrees warmer at 1000 feet AGL than it is on the ground. We are in the Rocky Mountains where nighttime temperatures in the summer usually dip into the 30 to 50 degree range, even in August. We recommend you wear layers so you can peel them off as the sun begins warming things up.
    
    
15. What should I wear?
    Dress with layers on top, long pants, a sturdy shoe comfortable for standing and walking, sunglasses, and a hat for those of you who are tall.
    
    
16. How much does it cost?
    Please call for flight prices as prices vary by location.
    
    
17. Are there group rate discounts?
    Contact us for group quotes; group discounts may or may not be available for the time you want to fly.
    
    
18. Do I need reservations?
    Yes, we recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible. However, even if it is the night before, you can still give us a call; you might get lucky and we may have an opening.