Hot Air Balloon Competition

Often when you see Hot Air Balloons in flight they may not be taking passengers on pleasure flights, they could be in competition, yes racing! The term ‘racing’ may not be the best choice of words when talking about balloon competitions because balloons don’t ‘race’ in the normal sense of the word because it is not about being first across an imaginary line, it is really about a how close a pilot can come to a predetermined area or target. Many forms of competition take place at Hot Air Balloon festivals which are held all over the country through the flying season, normally spring through to the late autumn.

A number of Hot Air Balloon festivals are due to take place during 2008 and there will be one in a location which is near you, the next is the Brass Monkey Festival on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2008 at Rudding Park Harrogate.