About Blue Sky Balloons and Our Facilities
The Name
Blue Sky Balloons first started flying passengers in 1989 from the Aire Valley
in West Yorkshire and was then known as "Aire Valley Balloons". After a couple
of years we relocated to an area of wonderful countryside near Knaresborough in
North Yorkshire and changed our name to "Blue Sky Balloons".
Your Pilot
Is John Stables, who first started flying hot air balloons in 1976.
He bought his first hot air balloon in 1977, an all red balloon from Cameron Balloons in
Bristol. Its serial number was 360 and it was the 360th hot air balloon to be
manufactured by Cameron Balloons. This balloon was flown in the York area and
it also visited many hot air balloon meets around Britain, sometimes flying with
up to 250 other balloons.
John obtained his Commercial Balloon Pilot's Licence when they were introduced
in 1988, and started flying passengers soon after. Since then he has flown
more than 1900 passenger balloon flights.
Safety with Blue Sky Balloons
Ballooning is very safe. We are a well-established company with thousands of
passengers safely flown. WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU.
All our hot air balloons are Registered Aircraft. They carry a Public Transport
Certificate of Airworthiness and undergo inspection every 12 months or 100-hour
intervals. Our Pilots hold a Commercial Licence; undergo Check Flights and medical
examinations every 12 months.
We are a Certified Air Operator - Certificate No: BL039, issued by the Civil
Aviation Authority.
Personal Recommendation
Around 60% of our hot air balloon flights are booked through the recommendation of happy customers.
Our Launch Site
Our own private five-acre launch site is an idyllic place from which to start your balloon flight.
Toilet and waiting facilities are provided together with ample parking for the comfort and convenience
of both passengers and spectators.
Our launch site is situated in the heart of the countryside near the village of Arkendale,
near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Dales are to our West; the North York Moors are to the
North with the Wolds to our East. Your hot air balloon flight will take you over the colourful ever-changing
patchwork of farmland beneath.
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