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Professionele Ballonvaarders Nederland KNvvL MKB OK iDeal


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have a few practical tips for passengers flying for the first time in one of our balloons:

Flight time

After booking a voucher you can phone for a time, date and departure site. Please have your voucher number available for our telephonist and call 0031 (0) 26 370 2870. You can also give us a mail address for confirmation of your flight and other important information.

Has my flight been cancelled?

The pilot makes a decision as to whether the conditions are suitable between 12 p.m. and 1 a.m. Passengers are asked to phone 4CB after 12.30 p.m. to check whether their flight has been cancelled. For a morning flight check the evening before at around 8 p.m.Passengers are requested to phone 4CB themselves but to make sure that 4CB has a number where they can be contacted should any last minute change be necessary

What to take?

Family and friends

Family and friends are more than welcome. They can also help get the balloon ready for the trip and can follow the pickup crews to get a shot of the passengers landing. A great shot for the family photobook.

Suitable clothing

This is an adventure out of doors and this means some amount of dirt! Don’t wear your best clothes or flimsy footwear. We very often land on farmland and the balloon has to be repacked on this ground. The lack of wind and the heat from the burners provide for a fairly warm temperature in the basket. It is usually between 5 and 10 degrees centigrade warmer than on the ground. A morning or evening flight can be colder so dress accordingly with the idea that you will be standing outside for 4 hours.

Warm summer evenings

OIt can become quite warm in the basket even when the flight takes place at the end of the day. Bring therefore something to drink in a plastic container. Any passenger with little or no hair can consider bringing along a cap to shield the extra heat from the burners.

Physical handicaps?

Let us know in advance if you are handicapped in some way so that we can avoid disappointment at the last minute. In nearly all cases there is a practical solution possible.

Be on time

This is most important as there are almost always other passengers who then have to wait for you to arrive. It also means that if we leave much later than planned the actual time in the air may have to be cut due to factors of visibility or weather.

After landing

Sometimes passengers make an appointment for after the flight. Make sure that any times can be changed or delayed. A balloon trip is an adventure and not a bus trip! The 4 hours is an advisory time but it can take longer. For example if the pilot has to fly further to find a suitable landing site or a site which can be reached by the pickup crews. If you have to make an appointment which has to be kept on time please let us know in advance.

(Film) Cameras

A balloon provides the perfect platform for taking photos or filming. Officially there is a law forbidding photography from a plane or balloon which means that we cannot insure passengers´equipment. Please make sure that your film or digital camera is protected during the flight and more especially by landing.

Availabilty

All balloon adventurers on an evening flight are requested to make sure that we can contact them from midday onwards.

Bad weather

On the day of your flight passengers can phone the 4CB office after midday to check whether the weather conditions are suitable. If the flight has had to be cancelled then it is possible to pick a new date immediately.

For a morning balloon flight please check the evening before after 8 p.m. Contact number 4CB Ballooning 0031 (0)26 370 2870. If you want to check the weather yourself call up Teletext page 707 for aviation metrological information.

Fear of heights

Fear of heights does not apply to balloon flying. This only takes place when the individual still has contact with the ground. As soon as the balloon ascends this sensation disappears.