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    • Bristol Balloon Fiesta >
      • 2022 Fiesta
      • 2021 Fiesta
      • 2020 Fiesta
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      • 1998 Fiesta
      • 1990 Fiestas >
        • 1990s - Album 1
        • 1990s - Album 2
        • 1990s - Album 3
        • 1990s - Album 4
        • 1990s - Album 5
        • 1990s - Album 6
        • 1990s - Album 7
        • 1990s - Album 8
        • 1990s - Album 9
        • 1990s - Album 10
        • 1990s - Album 11
      • 1990 Fiesta
      • 1990s Night Glows
      • Late 1980s
      • 1988 Fiesta
      • 1983 Fiesta
      • 1981 Fiesta
      • Mixed Fiesta Photos
    • 2022 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 12/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 16/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 23/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/02/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/03/22 - Orange Inflation at Ashton Court PM
      • 24/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/04/22 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 08/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/04/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 10/04/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/04/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 15/04/22 - Special Shape Tether at Ashton Court
      • 15/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 16/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 18/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2021 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 02/01/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/02/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/03/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/03/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/04/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​13/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​13/04/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​14/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​14/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​16/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​17/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​17/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​18/04/21 - ​Maize Field AM
      • ​18/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​19/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​20/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​26/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​27/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/05/21 - Ashton Court Tether AM
      • 07/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/05/21 - Maize Field Tether
      • 17/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/05/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/05/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 28/05/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/05/21 - Maize Field PM
      • ​30/05/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 31/05/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 04/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​07/06/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 08/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Inglescombe Farm PM
      • 13/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Glasshouse Playing Fields AM
      • 13/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Glasshouse Playing Fields PM
      • 14/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/06/21 - G-LIPS Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 17/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 23/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/06/21 - G-DIPI Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 30/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/07/21 - Poplar Insulation Tether at Ashton Court AM
      • 02/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/07/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 16/07/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 17/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/07/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 18/07/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 18/07/21 - Special Shape Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 19/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/07/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 22/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/08/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/08/21 - Dundridge Park AM
      • 22/08/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/08/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 25/08/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 27/08/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 03/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 04/09/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 05/09/21 - G-LIPS Flight | Maize Field PM
      • 12/09/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 14/09/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/09/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/09/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/09/21 - J&B Bottle Special Shape Tether AM
      • 20/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 20/09/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 21/09/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 21/09/21 - Oakhill Recreational Ground, Radstock PM
      • 06/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/10/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 09/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 11/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 13/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 17/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/11/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/12/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 26/12/21 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2020 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 20/01/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/01/20 - Galleon Special Shape Tether AM
      • 27/05/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/05/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/06/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/06/20 - Henbury Tether PM
      • 24/06/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/06/20 - Henbury Tether PM
      • 07/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​12/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/07/20 - Maize Field Tether
      • 12/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/20 - G-GCCC Flight | Bristol County Ground PM
      • 21/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 29/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 29/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/07/20 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 30/07/20 - County Ground PM
      • 02/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/08/20 - Henbury Night Glow
      • 09/08/20 - Maize Field PM
      • 27/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/08/20 - WRBBAC Flyout | Timsbury PM
      • 31/08/20 - George Brazil Airship | Havyatt Green AM
      • 31/08/20 - Maize Field PM
      • 01/09/20 - Sky Orchestra | Ashton Court PM
      • 06/09/20 - Key Worker Flight over Bristol AM
      • 10/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 11/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/09/20 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/09/20 - Bristol Balloon Tether | Ashton Court PM
      • 29/09/20 - Wallace & Gromit Rocket Launch | Lloyds Amphitheatre AM
      • 29/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 11/10/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/11/20 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2019 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 27/02/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/02/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/03/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/03/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/03/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 24/03/19 - Upper Swainswick AM
      • 25/03/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 26/03/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 26/03/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 27/03/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/03/19 - Wraxall PM
      • 29/03/19 - G-UWEB Tether | Ashton Court PM
      • 30/03/19 - Keynsham PM
      • 01/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 11/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 19/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 19/04/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 20/04/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 20/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 20/04/19 - WRBBAC Flyout | Maize Field PM
      • 21/04/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 21/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 21/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/04/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 28/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/05/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 05/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​06/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 10/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/05/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 12/05/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/05/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/05/19 - Bath Balloon Fiesta AM
      • 31/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/06/19 - Shirehampton PBA Club Fun Day
      • 06/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/06/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/06/19 - G-NORG Airship in Ashton Court AM
      • 25/06/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 02/07/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 03/07/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 04/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/07/19 - Longwell Green Tether PM
      • 05/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 06/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/19 - Lawrence Weston Tether at LDubstock
      • 07/07/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 08/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 10/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/07/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 14/07/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​26/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/08/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 13/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/08/19 - Pettefords Tether at Nailsea
      • 20/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/08/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/08/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 23/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 25/08/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 25/08/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 25/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/09/19 - Keynsham AM
      • 07/09/19 - Maize Field PM
      • ​08/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/09/19 - Timsbury Flyout PM
      • 10/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/09/19 - Keynsham PM
      • 19/09/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 16/11/19 - G-BIRE Tether at Ashton Court
    • 2018 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 06/03/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/03/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/03/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/03/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/04/18 - Test Inflations AM
      • 19/04/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/04/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/04/18 - Maize Field PM
      • Balloon Flight | 21/04/18 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 03/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 03/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/05/18 - Chubb Special Shape Inflation | Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight | 04/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight | 05/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 05/05/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 05/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 06/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 06/05/18 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 06/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/05/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/05/18 - Balloons over Bristol PM
      • 07/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/05/18 - Chew Magna Flyout PM
      • 08/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 12/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/05/18 - Portway Tether AM
      • 14/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 17/05/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/05/18 - Bath Balloon Fiesta PM
      • 02/06/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/06/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 03/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 08/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 09/06/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 09/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 12/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 13/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 22/06/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/06/18 - Didmarton Meet PM
      • 23/06/18 - Didmarton Meet AM
      • 25/06/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 26/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/07/18 - Cheddar Rugby Club AM
      • 07/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight | 08/07/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 08/07/18 - South Gloucestershire PM
      • 08/07/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 10/07/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 11/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 17/07/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/18 - Keynsham AM
      • 22/07/18 - Timsbury Flyout PM
      • 25/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/08/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/08/18 - Pre Fiesta Flight | Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/08/18 - Bishop Sutton Flyout PM
      • 30/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/08/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 01/09/18 - Henbury AM
      • 01/09/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 02/09/18 - Tethering in Nailsea PM
      • 02/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/09/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/09/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 26/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/10/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 20/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/12/18 - Maize Field PM
    • 2017 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 05/01/17 - Cash4Cars over Bristol
      • 22/01/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/02/17 - Ashton Court G-GAGE Tether
      • 13/03/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight | 27/03/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 02/04/17 - Keynsham AM
      • 02/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 05/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 06/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 06/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 07/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 08/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 08/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/04/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 17/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 18/04/17 - Keynsham PM
      • 19/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 22/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/04/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight in G-UWEB | 29/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 06/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 07/05/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/05/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 09/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • Balloon Flight in Red Letter Days | 25/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 28/05/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/05/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 31/05/17 - Ashton Court Tether PM
      • 13/06/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/06/17 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/06/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 14/06/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/06/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/06/17 - Keynsham AM
      • 18/06/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/06/17 - Tethering Bagerline - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/06/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 26/06/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 02/07/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/07/17 - Fiesta Charity Partnership Launch | Ashton Court PM
      • 05/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 08/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 10/07/17 - College Green Tether AM
      • 12/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/07/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 17/07/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 17/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 25/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/07/17 - Visit Bath Tether | Royal Crescent PM
      • 01/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight in Tango | 06/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 24/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 25/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/09/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/09/17 - Bower Ashton PM
      • 02/09/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/09/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/09/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 08/10/17 - Ashton Court PM
    • 2016 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 16/01/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 11/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 13/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 18/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 20/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 22/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM & Ashton Court PM
      • 23/03/16 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 25/03/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/03/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 17/04/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 17/04/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/04/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/04/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 03/05/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/05/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 06/05/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 14/05/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/05/16 - Maize Field PM
      • 15/05/16 - Keynsham AM
      • 22/05/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/06/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/06/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/06/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/06/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/06/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 03/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/07/16 - Balloons over Bristol PM
      • 14/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 17/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/07/16 - College Green & Ashton Court PM
      • 18/07/16 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 23/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 25/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/07/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/07/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/08/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 17/08/16 - Maize Field PM
      • 26/08/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/08/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 29/08/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/08/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/08/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/08/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/09/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/09/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/09/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 20/09/16 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/09/16 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/10/16 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/10/16 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 27/12/16 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2015 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 18/06/15 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/06/15 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/06/15 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/06/15 - Ashton Court PM
      • 24/06/15 - Ashton Court PM
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What is the ideal weather for hot air ballooning?

17/2/2020

 
Ever wonder why hot air balloons are grounded when it looks okay outside? Lots of factors must be considered before going flying, especially here in Bristol and Bath. Click to read more!
​So what is the ideal weather for ballooning? This is something we get asked a lot. Hot air ballooning is completely weather dependant and the weather in the UK is very unpredictable, as we all know. But even if winds are calm on the ground and conditions seem good, it could be a very different story at a few thousand feet. So, what weather can and can’t balloons fly in?
​Balloons need light, stable winds and dry conditions to fly, but many other things need to be taken into consideration. The wind direction and strength at 500ft, 1000ft and 2000ft are available to pilots on ballooning forecasts and are essential. There could be a gentle breeze on the surface but blowing more than 25 knots (kts) at the height you will be flying in.
Picture
Flying high above the clouds during a early morning flight. Photo: Liam Whitelock
What are the limits on wind speed?
​The limit is around 20kts at 2000ft with lighter winds at lower level but ideally it would be much less. Good conditions are up to 8kts on the surface. As the wind increases it becomes more difficult for the pilot to control the balloon and inflation can become very tricky. No wind at all is great although won’t get you very far, and, however in Bristol that would be far from ideal.
​It’s possible to fly in much higher winds and you can find plenty of videos of balloons flying in foreign countries inflating and taking off in crazy weather, but this wouldn’t happen in the UK.
Can balloons fly in rain?
​The simple answer is no. Although it is possible, it’s unpleasant for passengers. But flying or tethering in rain can also have more serious effects on the envelope by deteriorating the fabric (ripstop nylon and hyperlast).
​As you will have seen, a petrol fan blows cold air into the envelope and when fully inflated, using the burner the pilot fires propane into the mouth of the envelope. Hot air rises in cold air. This causes the top and crown ring of the balloon to become very hot reaching temperatures of 85 degrees Celsius. If rainwater has gathered on the balloon, it could reduce its flying life considerably.
What else should be considered before flying?
​Low cloud bases under 1000ft and poor visibility is an important factor as if you’re unable to see where you’re going, there’s not much point in flying. It’s also not safe. Of course if there are any storms nearby flights will be cancelled. 
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A stunning flight from the maize field near Bath alongside Anana and local pilot Ben Alford. Photo: MJ Ballooning
What’s it like flying in Bristol and Bath?
​In this country, the prevailing winds come from the west which is a good direction for flying in our region. From main launch site Ashton Court this will take balloons over the city and out to Wick and Keynsham. Pilots will often aim for a particular landing site such as Talbot Farm or the old chocolate factory in Keynsham.
​Westerly winds are great from Bristol unless they are too slow. Generally, around 8-10kts is preferred to ensure a safe flight to the other side of the city. Bristol airport is also nearby, so a north easterly is no good. An easterly direction will often see Bristol teams divert to Bath and fly back towards south Bristol or Bishop Sutton and Chew Valley lake. This is unless it’s slow enough to fly to Nailsea from Ashton Court. Sometimes it's a matter of getting up, going to the launch site and letting off a helium balloon to determine the winds, which is known as a met balloon.
​A particularly tricky direction is a south easterly especially when there’s a steady wind, as this takes balloons from Ashton Court towards Avonmouth and teams from Bath over central Bristol. Finding a suitable landing site can be challenging. So, taking all this into account you wouldn’t think that ballooning in Bristol, in particular Ashton Court, would be any good with the River Severn, the airport and a huge city over the trees, but once airborne the views are simply incredible. And it all started in the 1970s thanks to Don Cameron.
Picture
View over Ashton looking towards Clifton and the Suspension Bridge. Photo: MJ Ballooning
Read more from MJ Ballooning
Discover more about hot air ballooning in Bristol and Bath on MJ Ballooning.

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