Please review the following information before making your request.

The RE/MAX Balloon represents an excellent opportunity to create awareness and promote goodwill in the community. By taking the following actions you will help maximize the exposure you will receive from the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Appearance.

• A press release should be drafted and distributed to your local media.
• Invite local celebrities, politicians and dignitaries for a tethered ride or free flight depending on type of event and location.
• Associate your event with Children’s Miracle Network.
• Utilize social media.

It is also an opportunity to promote your local office and agent involvement. This is an excellent time to distribute promotional material and associate local RE/MAX faces with your trademark (the balloon), which is the highlight of most events, which again, furthers good will towards you within the community. 

FLIGHT OPERATIONS

• Safety is the most important consideration when conducting all RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon flight operations.
• All flights, whether free flights or tethers, are at the pilot’s discretion

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The RE/MAX Balloons can fly in all four seasons

• Light to calm winds (0-6 mph) - prospect is good for tether and rides
• Increased winds (6-10 mph) - balloon can be tethered without rides
• Windy (10+ mph) - possible cold inflation only- the pilot may lay the envelope on the ground for demonstration only, depending on your event.
• Very windy (15+ mph) - too windy to tether or cold inflate
• Best hours for balloon operation – Early morning and late afternoon to early evening (this is when the winds are calmest)
• The balloon does not fly in rain or heavy snow fall

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A FREE FLIGHT AND A TETHER

     Free Flight (Un-tethered)

• Travels only in the direction of the wind (once launched it cannot return to the launch site)
• Duration of flight is approximately one hour (weather permitting)                         
• Passenger Rides are not permitted.

     Tether

• Allows the balloon to remain at a particular site (the balloon is anchored)
• Tethers at heights of between 10 and 45 feet (depending on area size and weather conditions)
• Rides can be given upon pilot’s discretion. A tethered ride lasts 2 to 3 minutes and can accommodate 2 adults or 3 children.
• Maximum tether time per inflation is usually 2 hours in length

TETHERED OPERATIONS

The tethered balloon should always be:

• Secured with three tether lines
• The lines should be secured to the basket, and two heavy immovable objects such as well established trees or vehicles. (Hand held tethers or anything driven into the ground are not an option) 

TETHER SITE REQUIREMENTS

• Clear of obstructions, overhead and downwind obstacles (power lines, light poles and fences)
• Area can not be paved or gravel, short grass is ideal
• An area not less then 150 x 150 feet
• A tree line at the edge of the site may also be helpful

The decision to fly is based on wind and weather. In order to tether safely, the winds must be 6 mph or less.

Advertising in advance of an event should state any activity/balloon rides is WEATHER PERMITTING

Notification:
Requesting parties wil be notified via email of the status or their request as received, pending, approved or denied.

For additional information, please contact:
Suzanne Alden, director of flight operations for the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Team at:

Cross Canada Balloons
1-705-786-1502 / ccb@crosscanadaballoons.com