AVIATION PIONEER JOINS AIR TATTOO
A REPLICA of the air balloon which made aviation history a decade ago will be joining aircraft from all over the world at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford next weekend.
This year sees the 10th anniversary of the Breitling Orbiter's flight around the world: it was the first balloon ever to do so, and its flight in 1999 is still the longest in aviation history (of any flying machine) in terms of both distance and duration. And pilot Brian Jones is bringing a replica of the balloon to the Air Tattoo to mark the occasion.
The giant silver hot-air balloon will be tethered in the mornings from 7 to 9am, offering a spectacular start to the day for visitors before the flying displays start. It will be re-inflated once the displays have finished and, weather permitting, will be flying out in the evening, probably between 7 and 8pm.
Brian Jones, who flew the original around the world 10 years ago, will be on board the Orbiter on both days at the show, and he'll be meeting members of the public while signing copies of his book The Greatest Adventure, written with co-pilot Bertrand Piccard.
He said: "As the country's most popular aviation event, the Air Tattoo at Fairford is the ideal opportunity for me to share my experiences with as many like-minded aviation enthusiasts as possible, and also to raise important funds for the Winds of Hope foundation conceived during our flight around the world."
The Winds of Hope foundation was set up with the $1 million won by the Breitling crew for the first flight around the world by balloon. It aims to raise money to rid the world of the noma disease: all money from sales of the book go towards the foundation.
Tim Prince, Director of the Royal International Air Tattoo, said: "We're delighted to welcome this spectacular replica of the Breitling Orbiter 3 in its 10th anniversary year, as it adds to the number and variety of aircraft on display at the biggest military airshow in the world."
