Mums 70th Birthday

[BIRD]

It's my mums 70th birthday in July also her husbands 75th birthday in the same month. I'm thinking of arranging a Hot air balloon flight for them both. Could anyone tell me if they think it is a good idea or could anyone give me any more ideas?

[silly moo]

Brilliant idea !
They'll love it.
I went on one in RSA, and even though terrified of heights normally it didn't feel 'high' (as long as you didn't look straight down)
Wish them happy birthday from AB'ers

[tetherend]

Why not, as long as they are both in good health.  I hope they have a great time.

[Clanad]

Be sure to use a reputable company.  Hot air balloons are recognized as "aircraft" and the pilots as well as the balloon are required to be licensed.  The balloon itself requires maintenance, just as airplanes do. If high levels of burner use are incurred, producing significant heat, the balloon "envelope", which is a nylon type of material, can deteriorate dangerously. The burner and fuel tanks (propane) and controllers all require maintenance.  The maintenance is required to be in the aircraft logbook, BTW.  Additionally, hot air baloons are made in differing sizes and can carry differing loads of people.  There are sight-seeing companies here in U.A. that regularly carry ten to twelve persons at a time.  The accident rate is fairly significant.  As a matter of fact, an accident occurred yesterday (April 13) near Phoenix, AZ and killed a 70 year old man.  Seems the winds were too high for a safe landing and the balloon struck a hilltop.  As you can probably tell, I'm not very impressed with hot air balloons as passenger carriers... but at least check with your UK equivalent of the FAA for a background check on the selected balloon and pilot.... Good luck!

[blueeyedlass]

great idea what a memorable birthday that will be.

[luamber]

I did the same thing for my dad's 50th.  Only bit of advice I'd offer is to take a couple of hats with you on the day....It can apparently get pretty hot standing near the burner and my old man found that the heat was a bit much for his thinning hair!

[BIRD]

Thankyou all for your good advice. x

[jade_pie]

Sometimes you can get holidays with the whole hot air balloon experience included and its not much extra wel thats what me nd me bro did for me mam and dad? they stayed in this luxury hotel. so search the internet for stuff like that it only cost me bout �600 meals included nd that was somewhere abroad. so it wud be cheaper over here. hope that helps XX