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Professionalism and Safety...
Our professional FAA
certified commercial pilots are seasoned, professional experts in hot air
balloon flight. In keeping with current FAA regulations, our pilots
undergo a rigorous training program and renew their ratings by passing a
Biennial Flight Review administered by a commercial balloon pilot. We
value your safety as well as our own. Thanks to strict federal and state
regulations, hot air ballooning is one of the safest forms of aviation
today.
Panoramas commitment
to safety is always foremost. We will not fly in unsafe conditions, or in
unsafe balloons. Our equipment is inspected periodically by FAA certified
inspectors, per FAA regulations. Several of our competitors claim to have
perfect safety records, make sure you ask if they have had ANY accidents
or "FAA incidents" before you book a flight with anyone. Before every
flight our Pilot and ground crew inspect the balloon, envelope, rigging
and gondola. Watch us prepare for flight and you'll see the many safety
checks we make. Any Panorama employee or Pilot may abort a flight, or
delay a takeoff for any reason.
Additionally,
Panorama does not require, or allow, passengers to assist in launch,
flight, landing or balloon handling operations. We feel that your job is
to enjoy the ballooning experience, not to assist us in lieu of
professional crew members.\
A
word about the environment . . .
A hot air balloon is
an environmentally clean propane powered aircraft. The propane used to
provide lift is completely burned and leaves no fumes or exhaust.
We want to take care
of the land we use for take-offs and landings. The areas we use are the
undeveloped and the landowners are very concerned about preserving the
natural beauty. Please don't litter and help us all keep ballooning a
clean sport.
Our balloons are
equipped with livestock burners to avoid startling horses as we fly over
horse farms and livestock farms. These animals are not only expensive, but
can be easily frightened into fences by the sounds of our regular burners.
The livestock burners are much quieter and are used during certain flights
to avoid these problems.
Many sunset flights
offer a view of coyotes, deer, sea-birds and other wild animals. Bring
your cameras! |