Hot air balloons enhance fear of flying

Retro

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If you have a fear of flying, hot air balloons come to the rescue to significantly enhance that fear with some scary stats - enjoy! However, there were no fatal incidents to really push your phobia towards shear, unbridled panic, alas.

Hot air balloons are riskier to fly in than helicopters or small planes, according to a new study.

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed in a new report that hot air balloons had a serious incident and accident rate that was 10 times more than chartered planes and helicopters on a per flight basis.

The study looked at 79 balloon incidents from 2014 to 2022 and found that they were riskier to travel in than small planes and helicopters.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell also said the risk had increased due to the growing number of larger balloons able to carry up to 24 people.

β€œOn a per-flight basis, ballooning was more likely to have a serious incident or accident, and more likely to have a passenger injury, than equivalent operations in small aeroplanes and helicopters,” Mitchell said. However, the report did note that no fatal incidents involving a hot air balloon had occurred during the study period.

But seriously, while I'm happy to fly in a big jet, especially one with 4 engines, only the A380 is left now unfortunately, I'd be very reluctant to fly in a small plane, helicopter or balloon as they don't have the same safety features as those big birds. However, I've never been in a helicopter, so I'd still quite like to fly in one someday. That should properly elevate my fear of heights into abject terror as I lean out of the open door at 1000 feet... :)

 

Hitcore

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However, there were no fatal incidents to really push your phobia towards shear, unbridled panic, alas

Bruh πŸ’€

However, I've never been in a helicopter, so I'd still quite like to fly in one someday

Me too!
Remember when I mentioned the other day that I play GTA Online and that one of our group always controls the choppers and planes? That's because he has real life experience. If I'd do this with anyone, it would be with him.

Hot air balloons can go F themselves, though. I will not get into anything that can get taken out by a bb gun, ALAS.
 

Retro

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The other thing about balloon flights is that they can't be steered. What kind of useless transport is that? The problems are obvious.
 

Hitcore

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The other thing about balloon flights is that they can't be steered

Pretty messed up when you're in the middle of England and you fly a hot air balloon to France, but suddenly the wind turns, mid-air.

"It seems that I'll be going to Ireland today instead. Oh well. Β―\_(ツ)_/Β― "

Not very useful indeed.
 
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