Balloon Teams Gallery

Local Pilot,  Joe Daly,  has been flying his balloon in Waterford and South Kilkenny for the last 5 years.   His previous balloon “Jodie” was a common feature over the skies with it's tell tale spiral rainbow colours. 

He now flies, Waterford's newest balloon, “Discover Waterford” which will take centre stage at this years championships.  

Having won a trip to Switzerland 14 years ago which involved a Hot Air Balloon Trip he caught the bug and spend a long number of years trying to get his licence in Ireland.   He eventually went to Italy to complete his training 6 years ago and has returned there almost every year since.  

This year Joe brought the Waterford Balloon abroad to the huge balloon festival in Lorraine in France and the biggest festival in the UK in Bristol.   He will be busy as he is co-director of this year's championships in Waterford.

Jodie		Discover Waterford

Aidan holds both a UK (C.A.A) and Irish (I.A.A) Hot Air Balloon Private Pilots license (PPL-B).
He also holds an Irish Helicopter Pilots license (PPL-H).
Aidan is currently the only Irish pilot licensed to fly both Hot Air Balloons and Helicopters (but not at the exact same time you understand).

His other main hobby is Amateur (HAM) Radio. His licensed ham call-sign is 'EI5HW' and when not flying the balloon he can be heard

communicating with other radio amateurs from all over the word. Incidentally, his balloon also has it's own special ham radio call-sign 'EI2AIR', which means ham radio contact 'aeronautical mobile' is never a rare occurrence.

About Hot Air Ballooning, Aidan quips:

"It's like taking a magic carpet ride over our breath taking countryside.
The best part is that you can share the experience with family and friends".

‘Saint. Pio ’

Richard Gyselynck is the worst balloon pilot on the Isle of Man.  He is also the only balloon pilot on the Isle of Man, and if you tried camping there during the Manx Grand Prix three weeks ago you’ll understand why!  However, nothing daunted, he has flown on and over the island about a dozen times but not yet ‘off’ the island, although he has managed to fly across the English Channel. 

He started ballooning in 1980 but it took him 20 years to get his pilot’s licence, supposedly because he took 15 years off in the middle.  His balloon ‘George’ is a Cameron Viva 65 which has been flying nearly as long as him.  He has flown in exotic countries such as Thailand, Turkey and Sri Lanka and he has been lured to Waterford by the promise of a similar climate - the soft winds and blue skies that favoured last year’s Irish Ballooning Championships. 

‘George’

My name is Trevor Gibbs, I work for myself designing and installing garden lighting and     gate automation.

I gained my balloon licence in 1990 , and then became a commercial balloon pilot in     1991 , for the next 9 years I freelanced for balloon ride companies, mostly in the south of England, finishing up as a chief pilot for the Virgin Balloon group.

Then a sucsession of poor summers and a foot and mouth outbreak , convinced me to     return to my roots as a fun flyer.

I have travelled to many countries to fly, including the US , France , Germany , Poland Belgium , Holland , Hungary and this is my second visit to fly in Ireland , the first was in Sligo many years ago.

John Wildman , my crew chief since 1993 has accompanied me on virtually all of my         travels , Christian Cratz from the Meuse region of France has travelled over for his first     visit to Ireland , his house is our base during the biannual balloon festival at Chambley,
Viv Hopkins is our newest member and joined the team after flying with us earlier this         year .

‘Airtour 77’

Resides:  At a number of bars in the Gt. Missenden area of Buckinghamshire, UK and lives nearby with long suffering wife of 31 years, Gail.
Age:56 years young
Started ballooning: 1976 with Rob Fuller in G-BCRE, Snapdragon. PPL since 1979, CPL in 1989.
Hours:Just over 1,400 P1
1st Irish Championships:1985 at Newcastle House Hotel in Ballymahon. Has not missed one since.
Current balloon:Cameron N-105, G-OJBS, “Bennett”
Other interests: Horseracing, gardening, eating out, mushroom hunting, bread and jam making, fishing, shooting, motorcycling and walking. Holidays in Ireland at least 3 times a year, (mainly balloon meets and horseracing).
Other notablePoints:The Bennett Team is made up this year of Johnny and Mary, (Piggy’s loyal husband and wife crew), Larry, (chief driver) Francesca, and Iggy and Marie, the Irish connection. Marie, a trained psychiatrist, provides invaluable help and support to all members to get them through the mad week of the championships.

‘Bennett’