Great Park's balloon flying high again
Dec. 19, 2015 Updated 10:52 p.m.
IRVINE ? The Great Park?s giant helium balloon returned to the air Saturday for the first time since it was grounded more than three months ago for repairs.
A ride in the balloon brings as many as 30 passengers up to 400 feet above the Great Park; the balloon is tethered to the ground by a steel cable.
In September, a deteriorating fabric panel at the top of the orange balloon spurred a visit by experts from the manufacturer, Aeromobile, who determined the balloon was not fit for passenger flight.
The balloon, an iconic symbol of the Great Park since it was installed in 2007, remained aground but inflated while replacement equipment was readied.
During the summer, the City Council had approved the purchase of a new balloon envelope, netting and winch cable, which had reached the end of their life cycle. The gear was last replaced in 2010.
This week, a new envelope ? that?s the orange part ? was installed. The balloon was cleared for takeoff after safety checks and test flights.
Weather permitting, hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The attraction is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Tickets are $10. Teens 14-18 may ride for $5 without an accompanying adult or free with an accompanying paid adult. Children 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For directions to the park, visit ocgp.org.
Contact the writer: sdecrescenzo@ocregister.com
Dec. 19, 2015 Updated 10:52 p.m.
IRVINE ? The Great Park?s giant helium balloon returned to the air Saturday for the first time since it was grounded more than three months ago for repairs.
A ride in the balloon brings as many as 30 passengers up to 400 feet above the Great Park; the balloon is tethered to the ground by a steel cable.
In September, a deteriorating fabric panel at the top of the orange balloon spurred a visit by experts from the manufacturer, Aeromobile, who determined the balloon was not fit for passenger flight.
The balloon, an iconic symbol of the Great Park since it was installed in 2007, remained aground but inflated while replacement equipment was readied.
During the summer, the City Council had approved the purchase of a new balloon envelope, netting and winch cable, which had reached the end of their life cycle. The gear was last replaced in 2010.
This week, a new envelope ? that?s the orange part ? was installed. The balloon was cleared for takeoff after safety checks and test flights.
Weather permitting, hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The attraction is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Tickets are $10. Teens 14-18 may ride for $5 without an accompanying adult or free with an accompanying paid adult. Children 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For directions to the park, visit ocgp.org.
Contact the writer: sdecrescenzo@ocregister.com