A1 Balloons 2 Go, Failsworth, Manchester

ON THE DAY OF THE RELEASE INFLATION OF YOUR BALLOONS Expect your teams of three to be able to inflate between 150-200 balloons in an hour. Teams of 5 can inflate up to 300 in an hour. Work backwards to reach a time when you start inflation. Allow about an hour between your expected finish time and the release time. Do not start too early and NEVER BLOW UP BALLOONS ON THE DAY BEFORE THE BALLOON RELEASE. Helium filled balloons always lose gas. They will stay inflated for at least 15 hours at ground level and much longer at a higher altitude where it is cooler. This is ample time for a long journey once airborne. However your balloons need to contain as much gas as possible on release so time your inflation accurately. Do not, however overfill your balloons or you will experience difficulty in tying them. Aim to put gas into the balloon until it begins to go pear-shaped. Your teams should practice this on a few balloons before the day of the release. If it is wet on the day of the release it is important that you try to keep your labels dry. Wet labels are heavy and may stop your balloons from flying satisfactorily.Always tie your balloons by hand with a knot in the neck - NEVER USE STRING, RIBBON OR VALVES.NETS You will be aware that our prices do not include the cost of a balloon net. For smaller events it is possible to organise your balloon release without the use of a balloon net although it is usually more successful to use one. For larger balloon launches it is vital that if you are not going to use a balloon net you plan very carefully how you are going to store your balloons once they are inflated and how you are going to release them.If you are considering purchasing a net from us for your balloon release please contact me without delay with an estimated amount of ticket sales, and an appropriate sized net can be ordered.REMEMBER NEVER USE STRING OR RIBBON DURING YOUR Plan carefully the time to start your inflation. Never inflate your balloons on the day before the release as most of the gas will have escaped and your balloons will not fly. Allow 1 hour between your release time and the expected end of your inflation. Find your start time by working back at about 150 inflated balloons per hour. EXAMPLE To release 400 balloons at 4.OOpm. Aim to finish inflating balloons at 3.OOpm. Allow 2hrs 45mins. to inflate 400 balloons so start your inflation at about 12.15pm . If you have two cylinders you need less time as two teams can work simultaneously.RELEASE PREPARATIONOnce a balloon is inflated a knot should be tied in the neck of the balloon. The neck of the balloon is then pushed through the hole in the label. The label sits securely between the knot and the raised end of the balloon neck. It is perfectly secure and the whole process is environmentally friendly. You should not use string, wool, or ribbon to tie the balloon or to tie the label to the balloon.CHOOSE YOUR RELEASE POINT CAREFULLY Release one or two balloons (without labels) from the balloon net a few minutes before your main release to check wind direction. Position your balloon release so that the balloons can travel the maximum distance before meeting trees or buildings. This will enable the balloons to pass over these obstructions. TIPS ON SUCCESSFUL RELEASEA few balloons will burst or not fly on release - this is normal. You will have spare balloons and if you have not over inflated your balloons you will have plenty of gas over. Carefully remove the labels from any balloons that remain on the ground and attach them to new balloons and release individually - it is a distance race so this will not matter.If it is wet, try to keep your labels dry for as long as possible as wet labels will be heavy and will make your balloon launch more difficult.