The 0400 hour alarm was a sharp shock for the members of Molly Mae Ballooning on Saturday the 12^th of July 2025, a training flight had been planned for Liam Menzies. The team had agreed to meet from our regular launch site at the Obelisk Centre in Northampton at 0445 hours. With the trailer hooked up, Liam and Reanna picked up, we were on our way. When we arrived at the Obelisk it was time for Liam to take charge.

This was Liam’s fourth training flight and his best yet by far. Liam completed nearly all of the pre-flight preparation without help. Completed most of the setup and carried out a very safe and well controlled inflation. He then completed the take-off with help and practised level flying, approaches and fuel management. The flight was awesome throughout with fantastic visibility that stretched for miles and miles. Also flying from the Obelisk, and alongside for most of the flight, was fellow pilot Chris Freeman in his Ultramagic lightweight 65. The balloon normally sports his company logo, Eighty Eight Digital, but this time it was flying without the banners (maybe they were in the wash?). Chris made a perfect landing just outside of the village of Flore which we were lucky enough to capture in a couple of photos.

We flew on for a little longer so Liam could carry on practising his approaches. Jamie took over for the landing and landed the balloon on the A5 near Weedon Bec, much to the delight and wonderment of the early morning motorists. The landing was completed safely and quickly due to the ground crew Liam T and Reanna being spot on and in place ahead of the landing. Trainee pilot Liam Goldring was also on board the balloon and navigated for the whole flight on a paper map which is part of the curriculum for trainee pilots, Liam is a keen scout leader so this came naturally to him. The balloon was packed away and we were off to put everything away ready for the next adventure.

Below are a selection of our photos from this mornings flying adventure, if you would like any of them in a higher resolution please reach out.