Welcome to Catskill Mountain Balloon
Hot Air Balloon flights can be scheduled year-round by phone, mail, e-mail, or in person.
We also train hot air balloon pilots and we sell and repair equipment.
Gifts Certificates and Reservations are available and we offer group rates for three or more.
Fly with us at a Hot Air Balloon Festival. Here is our schedule for 2008:
When Do You Fly?
Balloon flights are normally timed to take off within an hour of sunrise or
during the two hours prior to sunset.
We do not fly during the day because the air is turbulent with thermal winds.
In the winter these winds are not as strong and we can sometimes fly during the day.
When Don’t You Fly?
Rain, Fog, low cloud cover, too much wind or not enough wind
are the typical weather conditions that would prompt us to postpone a scheduled flight.
We consider wind speed in excess of 9 knots as the upper threshold for safety.
Even at that, launches and landings can be hazardous.
Each pilot will make his or her own decision weather or not it is safe to fly.
Not enough wind? Unlike too much wind, we like to give our clients a nice scenic flight.
And, of course, an hour or so going nowhere isn’t much of an adventure.
We know that having that special flight postponed can be a disappointment,
but we have a saying that “ It is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air,
than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground!”
How Does A Hot Air Balloon Work?
Present – day Hot Air Balloon systems closely resemble the original balloons
and work on the simple principle that hot air rises.
They consist of an envelope to contain the hot air,
a system to produce the hot air and a wicker basket to carry passengers.
Lift is derived from heating the air inside the envelope and to descend
by allowing some of the air to cool naturally or manually vent some out.
Where Do You Launch?
The choice of the launch site will vary depending on the wind direction
at the time of the flight.
We want to go in a direction where we know there will be a fair selection of landing sites.
We are fortunate that, In the Catskill and Hudson Valley region
we have a variety of launch sites that suit the various wind directions.
Where Do You Land?
Balloons don’t have any means of controlling lateral movement
so they go wherever the wind takes them.
The adventure of Ballooning is not knowing your destination prior to departure.
During the flight, the pilot will select a landing site and bring you back to mother earth.
How Long Is The Flight?
Flights usually last 45 minutes to over an hour,
but we suggest you allow up to three hours for the whole excursion.
This will include set–up, flight, pack-up, champagne or non-alcoholic beverage toast,
as well as travel back to the launch site.
What Should I Wear?
You should dress to suit the season.
You won’t be warmer or cooler during the flight than you would be on the ground.
You should also choose footwear that’s suitable for walking through country fields.
What Should I Bring?
You may want to bring a camera or two to record your experience. Our crew chief can take photos of you in the balloon from the ground while you take the scenery from the air. We have not lost a camera yet so use the straps provided for your neck or wrist.
How Can I Book A Flight?
Call us at 518-634-2797, e-mail BalloonNY@aol.com or respond on this site.
If you have a special day in mind it’s best to book as soon as possible.
If the weather is uncooperative on the selected day, we can arrange an alternate date.
Balloons can fly any time of the year and each season has its own particular attractions.
The choice is yours!
Can I Get A Gift Certificate?
Yes, of course, it’s a great way to help someone celebrate a birthday, anniversary, marriage,
or any occasion and gives them the opportunity to choose when they wish to fly.
Individual one-hour flights are $240 per person. For groups of three or more it is $225 per hour per person.
For a very special occassion (engagement, wedding, anniversary, graduation, or birthday), you can have an exclusive two-person flight. The price of $750 includes a champagne celebration after the flight.
We can make your corporate, family,or school outing a thrill of a lifetime. We will work with you to arrange that special occassion. Family and friends will be impressed and talk about it for years to come. We can follow up witha "moon glow" at dark - balloons are tethered tot he ground and lighted up for a spectacular sight.
Michael D. Ranieri - Mike has been flying for 11 years. Since Mike's first balloon flight he has not looked back. Within two years he went from student, to private, to commercial FAA - certified Hot Air Balloon pilot. Last year he completed a three year apprenticeship and received his FAA certified hot air balloon repairman's certificate under his good friend, Russ Barber. He has flown throughout New York State, Arizona, Canada and Japan. He is the Balloonmeister for the Great Northern Catskills Balloon Festival in Greenville, NY.
Russ Barber - Russ has been flying over 40 years. He is an award winning pilot having won the Labatt's Sportmans Award and International races in Japan just to name a few. Russ also flew his balloon over the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and tethered his balloon "Foxy Lady" along side the Statue of Liberty in New York City for the Harbor Festival. He has his commercial hot air balloon and fixed wing pilots license. He is also a member of the Two-mile High Club having flown at over 12,500 feet.
Alan Jones - Alan has been flying balloons for over 29 years. One of his most memorable flights was his flight over the opening ceremonies of the 1980 winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Meeting a lot of great people and seeing a lot of beautiful countryside are just two of the reasons Alan loves to fly.
Becky Jones - Becky has been flying for 16 years and during that time has had the pleasure of ballooning in Saga, Japan. It was the highlight of all her flights to see the beautiful country of Japan from a balloon.
Pilot Instruction - Student, Private and Commercial
What does it take to be a balloon pilot? Motivation, training and a commitment to the sport of ballooning.
A pilot must approach each flight with the highest standards of safety and performance and be motivated to improve long after the FAA certificate is issued.
Student, Private, and Commercial pilot FAA certificates apply to balloons. Here are the requirements:
Every applicant starts as a student. Your flight instructor will help you obtain a Student Pilot certificate from your local FAA office or FAA Designated Examiner. If you have already obtained an FAA certificate to pilot any other type aircraft, a new certificate is not required. When your instructor feels you have met all of the requirements, he or she may authorize you to perform solo flights. You are then able to practice flying by yourself (under your instructors supervision) without passengers and while holding the appropriate log book endorsements.
To become a private pilot, you must fulfill the following requirements:
To become a commercial pilot, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements.
We can prepare you for the written FAA knowledge tests and provide you with the equipment and instruction required to prepare for the practical knowledge test (oral and Flight) given by a designated FAA flight examiner.
Rates:
Flight instruction is $350.00 per. hour of dual instruction. Using your own equipment is $150.00 per. hour for dual instruction and you supply the chase.
Search for attractions near Greene County (the heart of the Catskill Mountains) or consult the following websites:
To Columbia County Airport on Route 9H in Hudson, NY
From the South:
Taconic Parkway - Take the exit for Hudson/Rip Van Winkle Bridge, route 82. Go approximately five miles and take a right on to route 9H. Then go approximately nine miles to the airport. It will be on your right.
New York State Thruway - Take exit 21 and get on route 23 East and go over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Follow route 23 for approximately five miles and take a left onto route 9H. Go approximately nine miles on 9H to the airport. It will be on your right.
From the North:
On route 90 East take exit 12 for Route 9 South, Hudson. Follow route 9 for 6 miles and then in Valatie you will get on route 9H headed South. Take this for eight or nine miles and Columbia County Airport will be on your left.
We're both still grinning every time we think about our balloon ride.
Its the first thing everyone asks us "How was the balloon ride?"
Awesome is the best word I can come up with.
For me (Gail) the balloon ride was a tangible way to celebrate and mark my five years
as a breast cancer survivor. It couldn't have been a more perfect for the purpose.
Thank You!
Gail & Mike
Syracuse NY
Danny and I are now homeward bound,
back to Kauai and wanted to be sure to thank you for the Ballooning experience.
I will never forget soaring above the tree tops.
Danny & Simia
Kauai, Hawaii
Just a note to thank you for a spectacular experience on Light 'N Up.
Best regards.
Clara.
Clara, CT
I want to tell you both, thank you again for the ride you gave my Mom.
Saturday is a day she will never forget and words can simply not express
the joy we all received that day.
You and the children do such a wonderful job and we hope to see you next summer
in Cambridge or landing on our farm.
Larry
Cambridge, NY
We thank you again so much for the terrific accommodations and the beautiful balloon ride.
The day was spectacular and everything about the ride was incredible!
We also loved the Jacuzzi and the delicious breakfast. If you are ever in the Finger Lakes,
come see us. We can go for a sail.
David & Judy
Ovid, NY
Thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality and ride.
It was as beautiful and peaceful as I remembered it! Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
We look forward to seeing you again next fall. If you are ever in the Tampa area please call.
Steve & Ana
Tampa, FL
What can I say, a dream come true and you made it possible.
I will treasure forever the memory of the ride, your knowledge shared with us and
the wonderful evening and breakfast in your beautiful home.
Thank you a million times over for letting me fly with the clouds and the birds.
Graceann & Art
Loudonville, NY