Hot air balloon ride or helicopter ride for my boyfriend for Christmas?

[whatlove2212]

I'm trying to pick something for my boyfriend for Christmas. He has never been on a plane or anything before. Which one sounds like more fun to you?

Hot Air Balloon

Helicopter

Extremely short plane flight: local airport to local airport.

Other (Explain)

None

[jacquesvol]

I'd definitely go for the hot air balloon:

-I've had a civilian helicopter ride and it wasn't eventful at al, just noisy.

-I've had several military helicopter flights as part of my training: normal flight was just as uneventful and a lot noisier. Tactical flight was like a roller coaster riding nearly normally-roller coaster-wise -then suddenly doing the same things backwards, all at less than 100ft height (lower than the height of trees, "hiding" the 'copter behind the trees, jumping just above and diving behind them backwards, at 100mph, just the time to locate a target. link

My stomach stayed at his place, but a few of the others were very sick.

Do I need to add it's very noisy?

I don't think you'll find a civilian pilot willing to do things like that with his expensive machine

-Civilian airplanes? I fly several times a year and well, that's like a train or bus ride, with an immense hassle going through the airport check in and security. (but one has more comfort in a train)

The hot air balloon thus (but it's very cold up there!)

A good alternative could be a light plane, Cessna style (a high wing type, like this: link

[whatlove2212]

Thank you, your comment is so detailed and informative, one of the best. I decided the Cessna-style plane would be best because of safety and comfort for a first time experience, followed by a private helicopter, owned by a fun person who would probably let us have some fun with it. :-D

[jacquesvol]

Money to burn....

[John-Bee]

They all sound like fantastic ideas. I would just love the helicopter ride then the hot air balloon.

I voted "C" because if he has never flown before a hot air balloon may be a bit scary for a first timer as would be a helicopter ride. With the helicopter he is enclosed so may feel a little bit safer than being in a hot are balloon. Also with the helicopter if need be I'm sure the pilot can turn around.

Then there is the thing of the WOW factor & for me it would be the helicopter but I love to fly, the more aggressively the better. For him I think that I would start with baby steps & go for the plane ride.

You know him best is he afraid of heights? A bit of a thrill seeker?

Again all of them are just fantastic ideas!

[whatlove2212]

Thank you, this is a fantastic response. I'm so glad you liked my ideas. It seems to me that the most thoughtful people prefer the plane for a first-timer. I plan to do a private plane at a small local airport, going for a more laid-back experience. :-D

[John-Bee]

Another great idea!

With the small plane the pilot can have more one on one contact with you, point out landmarks & points of interest. He can also help calm any fears if your boyfriend may have any.

A much better experience then being herded around in a commercial plane by a bunch of rude flying waitresses.

[John-Bee]

Give us an update & let us know how it turned out.

I'm excited for the both of you.

[ivarei]

it's freaking December...don't go on a hot hair balloon ride.

i'm not an expert. but it just seems to me that you'll be freezing your asses off. also, since it's so cold out, you'd have to have the flame on so high in order to keep the air in the balloon hot enough to stay aloft, that you might just catch the whole damn balloon on fire lol...or you'll just catch the flu. a helicopter ride over NYC or something would be cool. but the whole idea of getting in an aircraft just for the sake of it seems sort of silly. if you've got a destination, like Orlando, then go for it. but just flying from one local air port to another local air port and then going home or staying in a Holiday Inn...idk, there are better and more exciting ways to spend your money.

[MrWizard]

Remember December isn't cold everywhere; they work on temperature differential, so no big deal operating in cold environments; and I think her idea is to give the experience so where they go really isn't that big a deal.

[ivarei]

Idk, I've flown hundreds of times, so to me it wouldn't be that interesting. when I've traveled with my friends and it's been their first time on a plane, they're usually kind of stressed out and nervous. and yeah, I know it's not cold everywhere, if they live in a warm climate, a hot hair balloon ride cold been fun. except it's a little basket, and there's going to be a guy in the basket with you controlling the balloon. I doubt they let people just fly those things by themselves.

[whatlove2212]

I actually tried for Orlando but it was out of my price range. I think a private plane where you can actually steer it and have a flying lesson wouldn't be too bad, it would be laid-back, and we could relax afterward. I will take this into account and ask if we can land somewhere else and have dinner, and then take off again, or see if they can go above our houses, something they wouldn't do in a typical flight. What do you think?

[bitesizedonut]

I voted helicopter. If you have ever been in a hot air balloon, you will know that it is not all that exciting. The most exciting part of a hot air balloon ride is the uncontrolled landing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKrjJ44iN54

and to put it in the words of our comrades on Top Gear: "You can't land any aircraft that flies by being full of hot air" ( link go to 14:33) :D

I personally think that finding somewhere that he can fly a biplane on his own would be rather exciting. I've done it and it was a thrill (plus you have another pilot to take over if you are getting out of control).

So

1. Flying a biplane

2. Riding in a helicopter

and

3. Hot air balloon ride

:)

[whatlove2212]

I think this is the best idea. Thank you for the recommendation.

[bitesizedonut]

Your welcome - I hope you both have a great time and a merry Christmas :)

[audreymarie21]

i think a hot air balloon sounds like the most fun for me, only because I have already been in a helicopter, and the plane sounds pretty dumb to be perfectly honest. but I voted for the helicopter ride because I think that would be the best choice for the two of you, my boyfriend and I took one to the bottom of the grand canyon and it was so romantic.

[whatlove2212]

That's so cute!

[MrWizard]

I debated between Hot Air Balloon and Helicopter. The hot air balloon option would be more romantic and the helicopter a bit more exciting. I went with helicopter in the end for two reasons, first you know where and when you will land and I think it would be a better first time experience enclosed, in a seat, with a seatbelt. Fun idea!

[whatlove2212]

Thanks!!! This was helpful.

[stercor]

Helichopper ride! I've ridden in helicopters and believe that they would be far and away above a hot air balloon ride. Especially if the pilot is a Vietnam vet... :-)

Interesting breakdown by gender. More girls want the hot air balloon ride, while more guys want the helicopter ride.

Ted

[whatlove2212]

Yes, there is definitly a breakdown by gender. Very interesting! Thanks for the astute observation!

[TwiceTru]

I'd have to say helicopter. I've never been on a hot air balloon, but from what I've heard, even if it's cold out it can get really hot from the flame, so that might make it unenjoyable.

Plus with a helicopter, the pilot will be more focused on flying and not you two together. Since a hot air balloon moves a lot slower, the pilot will have more time to look at you both which honestly would make me feel uncomfortable.

Good luck!

[ihatecopcars]

You could show him the worrrrld, on a magic carpet ride! A WHOLE NEEEWW WORRRLDD!

[lollipopgirl23]

Lmao

[whatlove2212]

Lmao!

[bitesizedonut]

Aladdin was such a pimp xD rofl

[timetofly2010]

it depends on where you live- the weather and the view in the winter might not be all that great.

i would say helicopter ride for two reasons

1 he has never been on a plane

2 in the winter the view of the city is better than flying over fields of not so many colors

- and you could do it at night too

[sef0181]

If you have the money to pay for either, why not make the ride more fun? Like actually take a helicopter somewhere? Hot air balloons are special in the fact that they go where the wind takes them. You can only control up or down.

If you are trying to come up with something daring for him, why not go skydiving? That's something you won't ever forget!

[SirMagus]

Hot Air Balloon!

If you took a Helicopter ride, it would all be about the action.

But if you take the Hot Air Balloon, it'll last longer and it's a nice view and you'll be able to see everything you want to see in good time.

That's some real romantic quality time there.

[jacquesvol]

This is the kind of flight he can espect in a helicopter under air baptem conditions, (NOT the real tactical flight, dodging simulated-or real- ennemy fire, there the heli would hide below the trees and jump just above them for 10 or 20", then dive backwards at full speed - 100 or 150mph before the 'ennemy' can take aim) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ojw-JLLvcc

It can be fun.

[Anonymous]

I would go for the helicopter ride because I've never been in one and I've always thought that looked kind of fun. Also I've never really understood how you control a hot air balloon. What if it suddenly got really windy? Call me paranoid.

[bitesizedonut]

You don't control a hot air balloon lol.

[Opinion Owner]

Exactly why I wouldn't wanna go in one. : )

[bitesizedonut]

Haha hence the +1 to you :D

[Anonymous]

hot air balloon is more romantic but helicopter is more fun and exciting so it depends on what you are going for

[hot_princess7]

Yeah... helicopter is more adventurous and fun for a guy, but you can't really talk cause its so loud.... so ...

[regular-guy]

Those are both really silly options. It sounds like you either have more money than you know what to do with, or you just aren't very good at using your money wisely.

[UnknownFox]

I gotta go with helicopter but that's just cus I'm not fond of the idea of riding in a basket being held by a giant balloon.

[bitesizedonut]

Lol. Good man.

[Anonymous]

Why do you have to go with something so big and dramatic? You sound like you are totally out of touch with reality or like a borderline personality. Who thinks of a helicopter ride, hot air balloon, or plane flight as a Christmas gift? Whatever happened to a nice sweater, cologne, a dvd, tools, or sporting equiptment? Sounds like you have money to burn.

[Crystalmir]

Well maybe both her and her boyfriend are rich and giving a 6$ chocolate box would just not do it?

[dsdory400]

You sound like you know what you would want from your girlfriend for Christmas so give me ideas??

[Opinion Owner]

It depends on your boyfriend's interests and what he already has. Tools and electronics or sporting equipment or sports tickets always do well for me. However, count me on the side of not going overboard when it is just a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. The gift should not be disproportionate to the depth of the relationship. Bigger gifts don't win you more points in the quality relationship category.

[whatlove2212]

I'm fine with your answer, except that I don't appreciate it being suggested that I have a disability. It's hurtful to both me and people who actually have it.

[Opinion Owner]

What disability?

[bettsyboy]

simple, buy some damn sexy lengere and give him a night he will NEVER 4get

a real man treats the girl to a baloon ride or a plane ride

[Cylon]

I would go for the helicopter ride. I'm not interested in the balloon ride.

[Anonymous]

hotair balloon ride will be better give you a chance to cuddle up and just enoj each other and the view

[jacquesvol]

They'll NEED to cuddle up: it's cold in that open basket up there! XD

[cgiddings]

Paragliding. AWESOME!

[confusedms]

on a hot air balloon, itll be more romantic. on a helicopter it will be too loud and ull have to scream at each other to talk.

[jeeperss]

but helicopter sounds so much cooler...

[hellothere]

Hot air balloon that would be well cool