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Because of the nature of balloons they can’t be steered, instead they are carried along by wind currents. The Kuranda range provides a buffer from the coastal winds, making the gentle Mareeba valley the ideal place for ballooning, having less cancelled flying days than any other location in the world.

Just after dawn the cool air in the Mareeba Valley provides the stable conditions which are perfect for ballooning, which is why we fly at dawn. Allowing our flights to always be controlled, with our landing being gentle affairs with the basket remaining in the upright position.

The winds may actually be moving in different directions at different heights, so our skilled pilots raise and lower the balloons to give them control over direction. They also make us of a number of different takeoff and landing sites in order to take advantage of the wind, some of which are shown above so every trip is unique.

While you are in the air your pilot will take a photograph of everyone in the basket, from a camera suspended from the envelope of the balloon. Photographs are also taken once you land, and you can purchase any of these during breakfast.

These makes a unique gift to send home to family and friends, plus there are several other great gift ideas.

• Hat (recommended)
• Camera or video camera
• Sunglasses

Due to safety reasons, you will not be able to bring these items aboard the balloon, but they can be left securely in your coach :

• Lighters
• Mobile phones
• Backpacks or day packs
• Handbags

• Raging Thunder operates four different sizes of Kavanagh balloons, the 120, 260, 350, and the worlds largest commercial balloon the 400
  
  
• The envelope of the 400 balloon contains 400,000 cubic feet of air, which is heated to between 85-95°C (185-203°F)
  
  
• To heat the air to this temperature, we use up to four propane gas burners, with one litre of propane as a liquid equaling 272 litres of propane as a gas

• When the outside air is 15°C (60°F), a fully inflated balloon with a load of passengers weighs around 3 tons, with the basket capable of carrying up to 1.8 tons of passengers per flight

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) controls ballooning in Australia and the rules and regulations are very strict.

• Our pilots are licensed by the CAA and have to undergo regular medicals and check flights just like 747’ captains
  
  
• Our balloons are inspected every 100 hours to ensure our passengers safety

Due to this huge jump and the fact that the Australian Aviation Underwriters Pool have withdrawn from insuring Hot Air Ballooning Operations, we are no longer able to absorb this amount into the cost of your tour.

Consequently, we have elected to separately collect an on-board insurance fee from each passenger prior to flight. The customer is ultimately the beneficiary of the insurance not our company, as we are simply compelled to adhere to these laws as part of operating in Australian airspace.