100% Safety
Hot air ballooning is widely regarded as the safest form of aviation. Balloons only fly in favourable weather conditions and the legislation under which balloons operate in Australia is amongst the most stringent in the world. Picture This Ballooning maintains a flawless safety record since it’s inception in 1996 and is committed to keeping it that way!
Our philosophy on safety
Picture This Ballooning is dedicated to your safety as well as our own operation’s. Every decision we make, fromthe purchase of new equipment, to the decision of whether or not to fly on any given day, revolves around achieving the safest possible outcome. We only operate the most modern and safe equipment, from high tech burners imported from the U.K. to quick shut off valves on our gas tanks. Even the trailers that carry our balloons are designed to minimize the possibility of harm occurring to anybody who handles our gear.
Safety in regards to decision making about the flight
Every balloon flight is unique in regards to the weather conditions presented on the day. All commercial balloon pilots in Australia must pass exams covering meteorology (as well as navigation and air law) and it is a complex decision-making process in determining the likelihood of a safe and enjoyable balloon flight. The factors a pilot must think about when making a decision include, but are not limited to, surface wind – speed and direction, upper winds – speed and direction, the likelihood of changes in conditions, temperature – both on the ground and aloft, cloud cover and height of cloud base, topography and its likely affect on temperature, wind speed and direction as well as possibilities of fog. There are also considerations of classifications of airspace in the area as well as clearance from Air Traffic Control, and likely terrain and weather conditions in an hour's time in the location where the pilot is planning to land the balloon. Plenty to think about! All our flight decisions are not only based around a safe operation, but also the quality of the experience we provide you, our guest on the morning. So though it may be frustrating to find that your flight has been cancelled, just remember - our Pilot knows best, and it's for your own safety!
Pilots' individual safety records
All pilots employed by Picture This Ballooning are chosen with their knowledge, skill, experience and safety records having been thoroughly scrutinised. Due to the fact that the bulk of our ballooning is done in technically difficult Special Shape balloons, and in challenging areas such as Melbourne and other capital cities, we have a commitment to using the best pilots in Australia.
CASA controlled/ monitored
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) governs all the aviation aspects of commercial hot air ballooning in Australia and applies some of the toughest regulations in the world. Picture This Ballooning operates under CASA’s approval with Air Operators Certificate (AOC) VT565255-05 and the rules that apply to any small passenger airline apply to us. CASA regularly audits all AOC holders and their Operations Manuals and all pilots are subject to regular flight reviews.
Aircrafts airworthiness
The same stringent regulations that apply to our operation also apply to the airworthiness of our aircraft. All hot air balloons are subject to regular maintenance inspections and all repairs and maintenance are carried out by licensed Maintenance Authority holders and/or the Manufacturer themselves. Our Chief Pilot Peter Wright is the holder of Maintenance Authority A568115 and has received extensive training through CASA, Kavanagh Balloons in Sydney and his 12 years of being in the ballooning industry. All our balloons are manufactured by Kavanagh Balloons in Sydney and Cameron Balloons in the U.K. Both manufacturers are widely regarded as being amongst the best in the world.
Melbourne’s safety record
Melbourne is a unique city in many ways. One of its distinguishing features is that hot air balloons are a regular sight over the early morning cityscape. There are very few cities in the world with a population of 4 million that can be regularly traversed by balloon! The city does provide challenges to its balloon pilots - scattered sports ovals and parks in which to launch and land, Port Phillip Bay to the south and the complex airspace surrounding the city and its 3 airports. All of which are testament to the safety record of balloons in Melbourne – if a balloon pilot gets it wrong, there is nowhere for him to hide! Hot air balloons have been flying over Melbourne regularly since 1988 and in that time there have been no accidents or major incidents.
