The couple saved to buy the balloon from Cameron Balloons in Ann Arbor, Mich., and artist Charlie Markert of Minneapolis air-brushed the bears into inlaid white sections of fabric. Biko said that Markert is the country's only balloon artist. After receiving the air balloon flights, the couple took it up, at which time Biro proposed marriage to Morgan.

The two have flown in air balloon flights ranging from a small one in Las Vegas to a 602-balloon competition in Albuquerque, NM, and have taken passengers for one- to two-hour flights. Including races, the balloon has been flown about 25 times, the couple said.

No balloon ride is the same, Biro said, because the only control a pilot has over the craft is the altitude. To direct a balloon, the pilot finds out at what altitude the air is going the desired direction, then ascends or descends to catch the wind.

"We are part of that weather element," Biro said. "Wherever that is taking us, we are going. We are a feather just floating on the breeze."

Biro said hot-air balloons are not risky. The balloons are approved and licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots need more than 10 hours in balloons and must pass tests to be licensed before flying on their own. Balloons have parachute mechanisms to descend and land quickly. The top section of the balloon can be manipulated to release hot air.

Hot-air ballooning can be an expensive sport and business, Morgan said. The balloon cost $ 40,000, but also required is $ 1,400 in liability insurance, $ 300 for an FAA inspection and other expenses for maintaining a chase vehicle and radio equipment. The vehicle follows the balloon, which rarely lands in place from which it took off, Biro said. The balloon is stored in the vehicle.

Biro said he would like Teddy Bear Flights to get into commercial flying, especially for public-relations campaigns. He and Morgan said they want to buy another Teddy Bear balloon, but that will have to wait until the business is more established. Before that, though, the couple intends to get married. Biro said that in April or May, they will inflate the balloon on its side to turn it into a miniature cathedral and be married in it.

"Then we'll finish the inflation and go flying," he said. "Altitude control can be very precise - within inches. But horizontally you can only go with the wind. So it is a navigational test, testing your ability to steer the balloon by using the winds at different altitudes."