To be able to legally fly fare-paying passengers in this country in a hot air balloon you are required to hold an AOC (Air Operators Certificate) this is issued by the Civil Aviation Authority from Gatwick. However every year we have an office inspection to ensure all licensing, insurance etc conforms to the required operational standards and today Mr Ian Chadwick one of the senior inspectors would be undertaking our ‘Base Audit'. Also he will be flying with us this evening, enabling him to cast his professional eye over our operation. We cannot really complain as the last accompanied flight with a CAA inspector was over eighteen years ago. ‘No Pressure today then'. By 4.00 pm the office was done and dusted with no real issues young Peter our ground crew had cleaned down the Land Rovers and checked all the flight equipment so we departed to meet our passengers at Eccles Hall School. We were soon airborne and started our steady climb to 6,500 feet. Our inspector has on board a lap top computer blue tooth GPS and detailed mapping, giving us a predicted track ;I have never flown with so much technology! The surface wind was quite slow however at this altitude we had a steady 20 mph taking us out over Old Buckingham. Prior to harvest it's always a bit of a game trying to fine a field with no crop but with a bit of care and attention to detail most things are possible. The key this evening was to avoid any livestock to. Looking down at two bonfires we could see the surface wind was flowing gently in from the east completely opposite from our high altitude track. As we approached the A140 we descended and at 800 feet changed direction and were now heading west. We identified a fallow field margin in the parish of Fundenhall with access up to the road. After one hour an forty minutes in the air we land. The crew quickly find the landowner and obtain permission for the retrieve. A collective thumbs up from our passengers and Mr Chadwick, a very positive end to the day.

This evening our balloon flight took place from Peterborough launching from the Ken Stimson playing field behind Werrington Sports Centre. It was a very pleasant evening with a light wind coming from the southwest. Our passengers were all very enthusiastic as were the friends and family who had joined us to watch, we soon realized that we would have quite a convoy following the retrieve land rover enabling them follow the balloon flight from the ground then get some wonderful photos of the air balloon ride landing. We were aloft at 7.20 pm and quickly gained height within five minutes we were gazing down at the city from 4,500 feet. From Hampton Hargate to Werrington every last detail was well defined. We start to drift out in the direction of Thorney at a very gentle 6mph. To our north Rutland Water shimmers in the evenings sunshine to the north the busy market town of Stamford. Out to our front the wash can be clearly seen along with the Norfolk coastline. As our eyes move east Kings Lynn is in view we identify Ely cathedral and to our southwest Grafham water. After an hour in the air the balloon gently descends and lands on a farm track north of Thorney.

This evening our hot air balloon hire was from Wensum Valley Golf club another sunny evening with not a cloud in the sky. It is fair to say that 2010 has proved to be a season for our balloon rides. Due to the proximity of Norwich airport we contact air traffic control for permission to launch we were soon aloft and ascended to 2,500 feet and what a view. The whole of the city of Norwich was well defined all of the Norfolk Broads were there to be savored the wind turbines off Great Yarmouth turning slowly in the gentle easterly breeze. To the north the coast was visible all the way to Hunstanton. Our track is now north of Lenwade however the sea breeze has now increased. Now in open countryside clear of any livestock we descend to see what the surface speed is, in a word fast. We now have 13knots at 100 feet this changed the dynamic of the flight, excellent for our passengers because we now really start to cover some ground, but becomes very challenging for the pilot, as landing at this speed requires care and focus. As we approach Bawdeswell there is a fallow field however the vehicle access looks difficult so we leave that one alone. We make an approach to land on a track north of Foxley water tower but the speed is just to quick to put the balloon down gently, so onwards and upwards. We now have fifteen minutes to sunset the clock so to speak is ticking. Then out to our front there is a large field to our front that has been cultivated and fallow in the parish of Gateley. The crews are radioed of our intention and we make our approach we land after one hour forty minutes in the air. We are on the Cook estates so a quick call to the Farm Manager Mr Adrian who gives us permission to retrieve the balloon. We quickly pack the balloon onto the trailer break out the champagne and celebrate one of longer balloon flights conducted on the longest day of the year.

This evening we launched our air balloon ride from our base at Wendling as all our passenger were quite local. We were aloft at 7.00 p.m. with a light wind coming from the southwest. We soon spotted the wash simmering in the evening sunshine and the north Norfolk coast. We fly past the old American air base at Wendling I always a think about what it must have been like when it was active and for the hundreds of airmen who forfeited their lives flying from here during the Second World War. We gently drift towards the picturesque village of Gressenhall to the north of the village there is a wonderful rural life museum and 1940's style farm complete with working horse it's a great day out especially if you have children As we pass the village the large grass airfield of what used to be RAF Swanton Morley was to our front and is such a perfect spot to land, especially prior to harvest with limited landed spots available. This is now run by the British Army and the Light Dragoons as based there. Thus it is a highly secure base a radio call to our ground crew to instruct them to ask permission to land. We had landed here once already this year and were conscious that we did not want to appear liberties. Permission was given and the crew arrived with an armed escort complete with SA80 rifles. Our escort were extremely helpful and courteous once the balloon was packed away we were guided through the base thanked the guards for their assistance. An interesting an diverse end to our balloon flight

A balloon flight over Norwich is always a treat it is such an attractive historic city. During the Norman Conquests of 1066 this city was one of the most prosperous and populated in England with over 10,000 residents. Norwich cathedral dominates the skyline construction stared in 1096 with the 300 foot spire added in the late 1400's. The architecture of the city is a tasteful blend of old and new. The Forum sits comfortably at its centre such an eye-catching building from the air. Our hot air balloon gains height and we are soon at cruising altitude of 3,000 feet enabling us to view this fine city and the Norfolk Broads out to the East. We are now in open countryside and descend to 800 feet we encounter a gentle sea breeze and we change course some 120 degrees to the right. Our track now takes us over the village of Kimberly. Finding somewhere sensible to land is always quite a challenge prior to harvest so on we press. We have Reymerston Golf Club to our front but pass just 200 meters to the south. The wind has now dropped to a very light 5mph. As we approach the village of Southburgh we spot a track and radio to the crew we about to land. We were down 10 minutes to sunset after one hour forty minutes in the air.

This evening our balloon flight was from Wensum Valley Golf Club. Our passengers were a very enthusiastic group along with a large contingent of family and friends who were extremely keen to help the crew prepare the balloon and all wished to follow our retrieve crew to watch the balloon land. We launched at 7.15 pm under radio contact from Norwich airport. We climbed up to 6,000 feet to enjoy the view. The city of Norwich is very beautiful from the air with the Norfolk Broads simmering in the sunshine to the east of the city. The views are good enough to spot Sizewell power station on the Suffolk coast. As we leave the views of Norwich we start a gentle descent and pass over Barnham Broom and golf and county club. The hot air balloon drifts serenely at 6 mph after an hour in the hour we land gently on a strip of fallow headland in the parish of Runhall. The sunset was lovely this evening and made of champagne toast special.