Wow what an awesome weekend that was! Usually, the season has wound down by now, but this year October is being kind to us weather wise. The team managed four flights in total.

Saturday the 11^th in the morning saw Jamie flying for our friends at Vista Balloon Flights. This time he flew their Cameron Z-120 G-CHFM on a “shared” flight with four passengers. This is a lower cost option whereby the flight is made up of between three to five passengers who may not know each other before hand. This is a really great way to sample ballooning and make new friends at the same time.

The morning forecast was a little grey and cloudy but within VFR (visual flight rules). Otherwise, the forecast was perfect with light winds. The location was set for Delapre Abbey. As well as the Z-120, Vista’s Z-105 was also flying from the same place as was the Brian Currie team and our own trainee pilot Liam Menzies.

Liam was undertaking the second of four mandatory instructor training flights, this time under the watchful eye of the very experienced Andy Austin. We all met bright and early, or dull and early with the grey skies but still! Soon all the teams were busy getting setup.

Soon the Z-105 was away, followed by the Brian Currie balloon, Jamie in the Z-120 and finally Liam in G-OAWS. The first three stayed low, but legal whilst Liam and Andy went high for training purposes. The group all tracked towards Denton.

The direction wasn’t the best as there is a massive band of sensitive areas that stretches for a considerable distance. This is a remnant from the ninety’s and early 2000’s when there were a number of balloon ride operators in the local area. Due to the light winds all the balloons made safe landings prior to the SA band. Well aside from Jamie who landed right on the edge of one and incurred a landing fee. However, the landowner was very decent and if anything, it went someway to repair relationships with them.

Everyone was soon packed up and heading back to refuel.

Liam and the rest of our team then went out again later the same day for another training flight. Liam once again flew under the watchful eye of Andy Austin in G-OAWS. This time they launched from Marston Trussell near to Market Harborough landing just before Harborough itself.

Over the course of the two flights Andy put Liam through his paces with a number of approaches, practice emergencies and ensuring he was bringing all aspects of his flying together. Andy is one of the most experienced balloon pilots in the UK and he is also one of the most down to earth and kindest people you could hope to meet. He has a natural aptitude for teaching an instructing and always brings out the best in those he flies with. The two flights went well for Liam, and he is now getting ever closer to his license.

We did have a flight planned in for Sunday morning but the mist had rolled in and so it was cancelled. However, Sunday afternoon looked promising and the team wanted to get G-BVBJ, the British Balloon Museum and Library coffee jar flown. We have talked about the history of this balloon before. In brief it is one of two balloons built to advertise Maxwell House Coffee in the nineties. The team owned its sister balloon previously as well.

The team assembled at Billing Aquadrome to assess the weather, and everything was looking good. The winds remained light, the mist had cleared and lifted to allow for a safe and legal flight and lastly the ground was dry.

Whilst heavy, Maxwell House is basically just a big tube, so it inflated very quickly and it’s easy to manage. We were joined by our good friend Howard Cusden and his family for the flight. Jamie taught Howard to fly in the early 2010’s and the pair have been good friends ever since. It’s been tradition that every time one of them has flown a new or used balloon since that they have made the first flight together.

Soon a large crowd of onlooks was amassed at a safe distance wondering why there was a hundred-foot-tall coffee jar being inflated in the middle of Billing Aquadrome. Jamie and Howard soon had the balloon stood up and minutes later they were gently drifting up and over Billing.

Light winds took them over Billing, Riverside, the A45 and across the edge of Northampton. The sunlight breaking through the clouds made for a magical sight (see photos below). The patients at St Andrews Hospital were given an extremely big shock when they saw the giant jar floating overhead. Fingers crossed this didn’t impact anyone’s release schedule after they told their doctors about flying coffee jars and crazy men in baskets!!

The plan was to try and land on the large cut field next to the sports dome at the Northampton University, but the wind was just slightly off track, so Midsummer Meadow Park was chosen instead. The balloon made a gentle touchdown next to the skate park much to the delight of all the families and onlookers. Time was spent answering questions, explaining how things work and promoting the museum before the balloon was packed away. Even the local constabulary came to have a look!

After the balloon was packed away the team made its final landing at the local Hungry Horse for a pub meal and debrief following a fantastic weekend of flying. We managed to do some good work for two of our ballooning partners and Liam had two fantastic training flights, what a winner.

Whilst the season is ending, our plans aren’t, and we aim to continue flying throughout Winter. Check back soon for more exciting news and check out a selection of photos below.

Please check out Vista Balloon flights here https://www.vistaballoonflights.co.uk/ and The British Balloon Museum and Library here https://www.bbml.org.uk/ .