Hot Air Balloon ‘In-Line Launch’ Record held at Waterford Airport

Sept 2015

Some 24 Hot Air Balloons launched in a single line at Waterford Airport this evening (Friday, September 25, 2015) as part of the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships maintaining the record for the largest ever number of hot air balloons taking off in-line at an Irish Airport.

Within minutes of take-off, the balloons had successfully held the current record which stood at 24 and was set at Waterford Airport in 2009.

The successful feat was all part of the 45th Irish National Hot Air Ballooning Championships which have filled the South East skyline with colourful balloons since Sunday last.

The record bid was made today at 6.15pm booking their place in history. The Irish National Hot Air Ballooning Championships are the longest running such event in the world and balloons from throughout Ireland, the UK, France, Holland, Italy and USA took part in the visually spectacular aviation event, which has enthralled spectators over the past week. The event now attracts over 40 balloons annually and is the biggest of its kind in Ireland, with the ancient aircraft taking to flight entirely depending on the wind for direction.

Manager at Waterford Airport Aidan Power said, “It is a real delighted to see these majestic and unusual aircraft here at Waterford Airport. It is also fantastic to have maintained the in-line take off of 24 Balloons launching simultenously. Hot Air Balloons have the same aviation regulations as aircraft for landing and take-off and require the same Air Traffic Control assistance so the whole process is no mean feat, we would like to congratualte all of the Pilots and crew on their achievement.”

Commenting on the Irish record, event organiser and Balloon Pilot Joe Daly said, “We are delighted to hold the Irish record for a mass in-line launch at an Irish airport. We set this record at the 39th championships which were held here in Waterford in 2009 and it is a delight to be here again in Waterford at this the 45th Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships. This is one of the last events of this year’s festival and we would like to thank the public for the huge support and warm welcome they offered to all of the pilots this past week. We would also like to thank Waterford Airport for their assistance with Air Traffic Control throughout the week and for their generous support.”

Further information can be found on www.flywaterford.com or www.irishballoonchampionships.com