PRE-BOOKING QUESTIONAIRE  

1. Do you have an open area 125’ x 125’ (Yes/No) =
(If not, we can help find one.)

2. What is the address where the event will take place?
3. What Date and Time you would like to host? If this date is canceled for weather, is there a backup date?

(Note: weather in Florida is more stable in the early morning. Summer months may be too hot in the afternoons for balloon inflation.)

4. What grade/age range are your students?

5. How many students will attend?

6. Do you have a lesson plan that you are completing?

(If so, provide us a copy, and we will tie our event into your material.)

7. In case of wind/inclement weather, do you have an indoor space for a smaller demonstration?

8. Are you able to provide 3 adult volunteers? (Each volunteer must be 18 years old and able to kneel and stand repeatedly and lift +50 pounds.)  

 

We will cover the following topics
 

• History of Hot Air Flight

• The basic science of Hot Air Flight

• How Air Balloons are Built 

• The process to become a licensed Pilot

• How to Fly

• How the burner works 

• How the fuel is used 

• Flyable and non-flyable weather 

• Walk in the balloon

• Inflation/deflation

• Pack up

 

What We Expect from You:

• The school/teachers are responsible for the students and ensuring they behave appropriately. AirHound Adventures will bring the crew to handle the hot air balloon but will not have enough staff to supervise all students. AirHound Adventures reserves the right to terminate the event at any time for safety concerns. 

• The school/teachers are responsible for ensuring all proper approval from the school and site is received before we arrive for the event.
   

Safety Concerns: 

• No children will leave the ground in the balloon; pictures inside the balloon while on the ground MAY be permitted but are not guaranteed. 

• We expect the teachers to remain in control of the children and direct them, children, during the event. 

• If specific children create an unsafe situation, they will be asked to leave. If that cannot be managed, the event will end. 

• Teachers or other adults in charge MUST be present during the entire event while students are present. 

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The Whole Process
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1. Arrival and Setup

Our team (pilot and 2–3 crew members) will arrive with an enclosed trailer. Because the equipment is heavy, the trailer must be driven directly onto the designated field. Setup takes approximately 30 minutes from the moment we park.

 

2. Equipment Introduction & Q&A

Once the equipment is laid out, we invite the students to gather around the basket. We’ll introduce the gear, explain how it works, and answer questions. We love curiosity—the more questions, the better!

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3. The "Cold" Inflation (Walking Inside!)

Most balloonists never allow people to walk on their fabric, but we bring a specialized, non-airworthy envelope specifically for this purpose.

• We use a high-powered fan to fill the balloon with cold air while it remains on its side.

• Students are invited to walk inside the balloon to see the internal ropes and structure.

• Note on Noise: The inflation fan is quite loud and runs continuously during this stage. Students with noise sensitivities may wish to use ear protection or view this portion from a distance.

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4. Standing the Balloon (The "Hot" Inflation)

Once the "walk-in" portion is complete, everyone will move to a safe distance. The pilot will use the burners to heat the air and bring the balloon to an upright, standing position. Our pilot will then explain the physics of flight and what happens during a real journey.

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5. Hands-on Pack Up

After a final Q&A, we will lay the balloon back down for deflation. This is where the students become the crew!

• The Squeeze: Students can help us "squeeze" the air out of the fabric as it deflates.

• The Bag: We’ll form a line and have the students help lift and feed the fabric back into its storage bag.

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6. Basket & Burner Experience (Optional)

Depending on school preference, we can allow students to climb into the basket and test the burner themselves. Since the fabric envelope is already packed away at this point, there is no risk of lift-off—just a lot of heat and excitement!

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Weather

We will continually watch the weather for the 3 days leading up to the balloon demonstration. We will be in contact with the primary person-in-command for the event and the AirHound Adventure pilot will make the final GO/NO-GO decision by 6 PM the night before. Please see weather cancelations for additional details.

 

Weather Cancelations.

In the event of weather cancellations, we have two options.
1st, We can reschedule 

2nd (High Winds) We can still bring the Balloon basket out but cannot inflate the envelope.
3rd (Rain) If there is rain, we can bring the balloon basket into the gym and still talk about the balloon and how it works. We are working on additional activities that can be offered.
 

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Bringing the Magic of Flight to Your School

While a private event of this scale (2–3 hours of ballooning) typically costs upwards of $5,000 plus travel, our mission is to ensure every student has the chance to experience the wonder of a hot air balloon firsthand.

To keep these educational events accessible, we don't require a set fee. Instead, we invite schools to determine a contribution that is feasible within their specific budget.

How it Works

We let your school’s student count and available funding guide the contribution. Simply let us know what your budget allows, and we will provide a Travel Expense Invoice to match that exact amount. This allows us to cover our logistical costs while staying strictly within your school’s spending guidelines.

For Example:

• If your budget allows for $5.00 per student (for 100 students), the total would be $500.

• If the budget allows for $0.50 per student, the total would be $50.

• No Budget? If there is no funding available this year, we will still provide the experience at no cost. Our priority is the students.

   

Balloon Operating Conditions.
 

Hot air balloons are highly sensitive to weather. To ensure the safety of all students and staff:

• Final Authority: AirHound Adventures maintains sole and absolute discretion to cancel or postpone an event if weather conditions are deemed unsafe.

• Wind Restrictions: We cannot inflate the balloon if ground winds—or winds up to the balloon's peak height of 115 feet—exceed 5 MPH.

• Last-Minute Changes: Safety is our priority; therefore, we reserve the right to cancel an event at any time (including after arrival) if conditions deteriorate.

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Static Demonstration (No Flights)

Please note that these events are ground-based educational demonstrations only. The balloon will be securely tethered to the ground at all times and will not take flight.

 

Volunteer Requirements

To ensure a smooth demonstration, we require the assistance of three (3) adult volunteers.

• Physical Requirements: Volunteers must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and be comfortable kneeling and standing repeatedly.

• Liability: Volunteers are not considered employees of AirHound Adventures and must sign a liability waiver before assisting.

• Special Note: If your school or organization is unable to provide adult volunteers, please notify us during the booking process so we can make alternative arrangements.

Insurance

AirHound Adventures is fully insured. Upon request, we are happy to name your school or organization as an "Additional Insured" on our policy for the duration of the event. Please let us know if your administration requires a certificate of insurance (COI).

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Pricing Structure School Student Events

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Why We Do This AirHound Adventures proudly volunteers our time, equipment, personnel, and materials (including propane) for school demonstrations. This mission is personal: our lead pilot first discovered his passion for flight during a hot air balloon demonstration at his own school as a child.

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We provide these events free of charge to inspire the next generation of aviators. While there is no fee for our visit, organizations that wish to support our mission or show appreciation for the crew’s hard work are welcome to make a voluntary donation. These contributions go directly toward our pilot and crew, helping us continue to bring the magic of flight to the community.

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