During the spring and summer we can only fly hot air balloons at dawn or two hours before sunset. This is when the air is normally at its most stable. So for an evening balloon flight we meet our balloon passengers 2 hours 45 minutes before sunset. It takes around 45 minutes to prepare the hot air balloon for flight and conduct a thorough safety briefing for passengers and any on lookers. Then if it has been a hot day quite often we have to wait for the wind to ease down to 8 knots, which is ideal for a safe inflation and take off. At dawn it is completely the opposite. After several hours of darkness the surface layer of air cools and normally becomes slow and stable. We have chosen Mattishall Golf club for the launch. Our team have been on site at 5.30 a.m. preparing for the arrival of passengers at 6 a.m.
With a very gentle wind coming from the south west we are aloft at 6.20 a.m. Quickly establishing radio contact with Norwich airports air traffic controllers, keeping them informed of our progress. As we climb past 300 feet the balloon picks up speed. The balloon gently ascends to 2,500 feet, the speed is 15 knots. Passing over the A47 we see the traffic below, much less stress by balloon. The city of Norwich well defined with the cathedral beautifully captured by the morning’s sunlight. On over Lenwade and Horsford we leave the city views behind. Now in open countryside we start our desent over Buxton heath. Our hot air balloon trip ends when we touch down in a stubble field outside the town of Aylsham.