How to Open Your Own Hot Air Balloon Business

If you're a hot air balloon enthusiast, then why not make your hobby into a business? Thousands of people around the world make a very good living providing hot air balloon rides. The first thing you need to do is educate yourself about the things you need to do before opening a business.

You'll need land, for sure. And the land must be zoned for giving hot air balloon rides. By visiting your local municipal building, you can find out all the requirements as far as land is concerned. You'll also need to be certified by the FAA to fly a hot air balloon. This is achieved by taking an exam and logging a particular number of flight time hours with a qualified instructor.

Many people start off by giving hot air balloon rides for a company before starting their own business. The money you make working for someone else can be used as capital for your own business. A hot air balloon costs about as much as a new boat or car -- anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. You'll need accessories such as extra tanks, repair kits, and other components to make your flights safe as possible. These extras will run a few thousand dollars on their own.

Let's not forget insurance. You'll need hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of insurance coverage to make sure you don't get sued by an unhappy customer. It rarely happens, but if it did and you weren't insured, you'd be in big trouble. Most customers won't even consider a hot air balloon provider that's not insured.

And...last but not least, you'll need a crew! Not only does your crew help set up and take down the balloon, they also will need to follow the balloon on the ground to meet it when it lands and collect passengers and equipment. This is called a chase crew, and their wages will vary depending on your local area and personal preferences. Pay your crew fairly to ensure you'll get the best workers your money can buy. A happy crew is a successful crew...and a pilot is nowhere without one!

So how much do you charge for a hot air balloon ride? That's up to you! There are many creative ways you can make money, including special package deals for groups, families, and couples. Hot air balloon rides range in price from $100 up to $500 or more per person, depending on the company and amenities offered. Most companies offer post-flight brunches complete with champagne to celebrate a successful flight, and some offer commemorative photographs as well.

With the right education, some serious creativity and a little hard work, you can own and operate a thriving hot air balloon rides business that will keep customers coming back for more!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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