Malcolm Campbell the first candidate first started ballooning in the 70s, ballooning was in its infancy still, and safety was a full length flame proof suit! (Safety has improved) Malcolm has flown balloons in many countries, including flying Thomas the Tank Engine in Japan! Malcolm has 15 years of special shape flying, these are balloons designed to look like products for advertising purposes, and many years of experience flying passengers all over the world. Malcolm Now flies for us in the South West, and has 3443 hours. Malcolm has always been seen as the grandfather of ballooning, and if you’re lucky to fly with him, you will notice that he is cool, calm, collective and short!
John Albury is our second contender. John achieved his pilot’s licence in 1974 and has the honour of being the first British pilot to fly across the Grand Canyon. John was also the first pilot to fly across from the Isle of Lundy to the main land. John has flown in over 20 countries flying special shapes and passenger ride balloons, and in his more competitive years won the Challenge Championships in the 90s. We are also lucky to have john flying for us in South West, and if not ballooning can be found either behind the wheel of his souped up Golf, or in his garage with his model trains. John has 3438 hours of flying in his log book, and best described as laid back, confident, self assured, and short!
We are expecting both our pilots to go far beyond the 3500 hours this season. Although both pilots will disagree, there is a definite edginess when both pilots are together, and under both calm facades, there is a competitive streak, and almost a spirited aggression which dates back to when they used to compete against each other. Who will get to 3500… we will let you know! |
