©2006 Great American Balloon Co.

A Great American Balloon Company

Your only destination for experiencing a hot air balloon ride in the Midwest.

Hot air Ballooning is a special experience that will not compare to anything else that you have or will experience...so bask in the moment for awhile. Hold on to that carefree feeling of tiptoeing through the treetops and dancing with the clouds. When the thrill starts to slowly fade with time, come back and do it again! Each experience is unique and wonderful.

A Great American Balloon Company is one of the nation's oldest and largest and safest hot air balloon company in Chicago and Midwest as well as West with a heritage stretching back 29 years. You will ride in a beautiful and colorful balloon piloted by an experienced, FAA licensed pilot. One cannot steer a balloon, so the course is quite literally determined by the winds.

| Sunrise Flights | Sunset Flights| Flight Departure Locations | Frequently Asked Questions |

Sunrise Balloon Rides Over Chicago

Come tiptoe through the trees & dance with the clouds!

©2006 Great American Balloon Co.

Sunrise Balloon Rides over Chicago

Duration:
3 Hours (One Hour Flight Time)

Daily (June 1st thru October 31st)

Windy City Balloon Port (Restricted Monday-Thursday) price per person	$175.00
Windy City Balloon Port (Unrestricted Mon - Sunday) price per person	$200.00
Sky Rides Balloon Port (Restricted Monday-Thursday) price per person	$175.00
Sky Rides Balloon Port (Unrestricted Mon - Sunday) price per person	$200.00

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Sunset Balloon Rides Over Chicago

Exact departure times will vary with the time of year and weather. Sunset flights leave around 6 PM...but you will be contacted with specific details the day before your flight.

©2006 Great American Balloon Co.

Sunset Balloon Rides over Chicago

Duration:
3 Hours (One Hour Flight Time)

Daily (June 1st thru October 31st)

Windy City Balloon Port (Restricted Monday-Thursday) price per person	$175.00
Windy City Balloon Port (Unrestricted Mon- Sunday) price per person	$200.00
Sky Rides Balloon Port ( Restricted Monday-Thursday) price per person	$175.00
Sky Rides Balloon Port (Unrestricted Mon - Sunday) price per person	$200.00

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Two Convenient Balloon Ports:

Windy City BalloonPort Fox River Grove, Illinois

The Windy City BalloonPort, our flagship balloonport, is located in Fox River Grove, Illinois at the famous Norge Ski Jump which was founded in 1905. Windy City BalloonPort is proud to be a part of the history and legacy of the Cary-Fox River Grove and the Northwest Chicago, Illinois area. Windy City has been the site of hot air balloon operations for almost three decades. In fact, Windy City is among the oldest and safest hot air ballooning locations in the United States. Particular to the Windy City BalloonPort is that our hot air balloon flights typically begin in the tranquil and picturesque bowl of the Norge Ski Jump. This unique hot air balloon ascent site attracts many of our neighbors who enjoy picnicking while delighting in the activity, color and pageantry that surround hot air balloon flight preparation and launch. Hot air ballooning is an adventure for the whole family and Windy City enjoys sharing its passion with passengers and spectators alike.

Unique to Chicago balloon flight operations, our Windy City BalloonPort features a chalet style building where we meet our passengers. Our nicely appointed location includes facilities where you will meet your FAA Certified pilot and present your flight tickets. After your flight, you will be ground transported back to Windy City where you will participate in our ceremonial champagne toast, enjoy light hors d’oeurvres and continue to enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow passengers.

Map of 100 Ski Hill Rd Fox River Grove, IL 60021-1320

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Sky Rides Balloons, Inc Plainfield, Illinois

“Sky Rides” enjoys a legacy of 23 years of balloon flight operations. Within the Plainfield/Joliet location (Southwest Chicago, Illinois), the majesty of balloon flight is brought to you by Sky Rides. Sky Rides ranks with the oldest and safest balloon locations in the United States. Our FAA Certified pilot and capable crew look forward to meeting you on the grounds of the Louis Joliet Mall (the meeting location is at the Best Buy parking lot on the perimeter drive of the mall). After all of our passengers have arrived, we will transport you in our flight van to one of the Sky Rides ascent sites.

Following your flight and related descent duties, we will typically gather at the descent site. From there, you will be ground transported back to our meeting site.

Map of 3351 Mall Loop Dr Joliet, IL 60431-1053 Meet at Best Buy parking Lot

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your adventure begins with a pre-flight briefing. You will meet your pilot, learn all about your flight, and get answers to all of your questions. At the launch field, the balloon will impress you with its immensity as it begins preparation for flight. Bring your camera and twice as much film as you think you will need. There will be many memories you will want to capture and relive.

As you “lift off,” your romance with the sport of ballooning begins. You will share breathtaking panoramas with old friends and the new ones you will meet on your high adventure. Enjoy the spectacular view as you observe animals, birds, fields, and meadows. Following landing and pack-up, the crew will return you to our meeting location. A traditional champagne toast will cap off your classic ascension and return to Mother Earth. We conclude your extra-ordinary adventure with the presentation of a personalized flight certificate.

How Far Ahead Should I Call to Choose a Date?
Call soon! While on isolated occasions there is immediate availability, you should plan to schedule your trip 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Weekend flights fill up first, while the best availability is on weekday mornings.

What is Expected of Me?
Read this information so you are properly prepared and have patience with the weather and scheduling. We promise to do our best to get you up as soon as possible, but we will not do anything to jeopardize your safety. When the weather dictates, choose an alternate date as soon as possible.

What Time Should I be There?
Sunset and sunrise vary from day-to-day throughout the year. Once you have scheduled your flight, a more accurate time can be provided.

How Should I Dress?
Dress casually, but please do not wear shorts or sandals. Appropriate clothing for ballooning is jeans, tennis shoes, and casual shirts. Please bring a baseball cap or other similar headwear if you desire. It will be approximately the same temperature in the balloon as it is on the ground.

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How Long Will I be There and What Will be Happening?
Please plan to be with us approximately 3 hours. We will start with a pre-flight briefing during which the pilot will explain everything and answer your questions. We will provide transportation for the passengers to the launch site where you will see the entire inflation process. Your flight time will be approximately one hour (varying with the availability of landing sites and weather conditions). Following landing and pack up, return transportation is provided. A complimentary champagne toast will cap off your flight and you will receive a personalized flight certificate to remember your aeronautical adventure.

From Where Will My Balloon be Launched?
We have many sites to choose from. The choice will be made based on landing site availability downwind and the view. For your safety, this decision is made by your pilot and is based on the final weather briefing received just prior to your departure for the launch site.

Can I Bring My Camera?
Yes, you may bring a camera or small camcorder aboard, but at your risk. Please use a neck or wrist strap. Bring more film or tape than you could ever imagine using, because most people run out.

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How Many People Will be in My Balloon?
The size of the balloon you will be flying in is determined by which balloon is on the flight schedule for your date, the total weight of the passengers, and the outdoor temperature. Groups and couples are kept together in the same balloon.

How Much Does the Weather Affect My Flight?
100%. For sunrise flights, our staff will evaluate the weather condition and notify you if they feel the forecast is suitable for safe flying. Please note: rescheduling several times due to non-ballooning weather is average. Regretfully, we cannot control the weather, but only the safety margin with which we fly. Please contact our office at your earliest convenience to reschedule a cancelled flight.

How Flyable is It?
A basic knowledge of meteorology and a review of the FAA Flight Services official weather forecast will serve most balloonists. Since our balloonport operations have over a decade of experience, we also use our expertise to select the best local launch sites to take advantage of the wind direction, speed and scenery. Our Chief Pilots may launch helium filled balloons into the air to determine wind velocity and direction relative to height. We like surface winds of less than 10 mph, depending on their direction. Of course thunderstorms and precipitation may also cause non-flyable weather. Other scientific information we use in our decision process is: visibility, cloud ceiling, dew point, winds at 3000, 6000 and 9000 feet, temperature, radar charts and satellite information.

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Why is Wind Speed & Direction so Important?
A balloon is the most flexible aircraft in the world in terms of where it can land. Balloons don't require pavement or a flat surface like an airplane. Unlike airplanes, balloons don't have landing gear and this creates a constraint on landing speed. Since the velocity of the surface winds affect landing speed, it is important to avoid strong wind conditions. Although a trained pilot can perform a safe high-speed landing, we avoid this by canceling flights when surface winds are too fast.

What is Our Procedure to Determine if the Flight is On?
Approximately 3-6 hours prior to departure we are in regular contact with FAA Flight Services for the latest forecast. We examine radar and satellite loops to fine tune our interpretation of the weather forecast plus we test local surface wind conditions. In most cases we make the "go"/"no-go" decision to fly 2-3 hours before departure.

What Are the Basic Weather Rules of Thumb?
We constantly expand our knowledge of what weather patterns generate the best rides. The following information encompasses a small portion of our current thinking: within a high pressure system, flying conditions are generally more favorable than in low pressure areas, because there are fewer clouds, better visibility, calm or light winds, and less turbulence. High cirrus clouds indicate changing weather. Usually this signals an approaching warm front probably 200 miles or 10 hours behind. Cumulo-Nimbus clouds towering into the sky indicate very turbulent conditions and should be avoided. Nimbo Stratus is a heavy cloud moving slowly along. Rain can be safely predicted and it is best to avoid flying in wet and miserable conditions.

Why are Flights Cancelled?
Each day during our flight season we are ready to fly morning and evening. The only reason we cancel a flight is because flight conditions are unsafe or passenger/weight minimums are unmet.

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Are There any Special Health or Physical Restrictions?
Please call and discuss your individual situation with a member of our pilot staff. Things of importance to us are pregnancy, recent surgery, and back, leg, and hip problems.

Can Other People Come to Watch?
Your friends and family are welcome to watch you take off on your flight. They must have their own transportation, closely supervise their children, and arrive at the same time as you. Please instruct them to meet us at the same time and location you are given. There will not be anyone there to greet late arrivals and you will not have time to phone.

What if I Need to Change My Reservation?
Changing the day of your flight requires 72 hours notification.

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What is Your Refund Policy?
Gift Certificates and flight tickets are not refundable, but are transferable. Please contact our reservation desk for transfer procedures.

What is the Expiration Policy?
All gift certificates and flight tickets expire 18 months from the date of issuance. If weather conditions prohibit flying, you can easily reschedule before your ticket expires.

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