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Bristol Balloon Fiesta- come and fly with us!
8th- 11th August 2002


At this years Bristol Fiesta, Clive Bailey organised a daredevil James Bond style stunt with Mike Howard, one of Bailey Balloons pilots and also a British Airways Captain.

Mike took off under a cluster of small helium filled balloons dressed as James Bond attached to the Bristol & West hot air balloon piloted by Clive.

They were hoping to beat the World Altitude record of 11,500 feet but had to remain below 7,500 feet due to airspace restrictions. Another attempt is planned soon.
Take-off at 06:15 on Sunday morning from the Fiesta.
Flying high over Bristol.
Sitting Comfortably.
Definitely mad.
The only way down, Mike cuts free from the helium balloons and sky dives back to earth.
 
New balloon to be managed by Bailey Balloons


A new corporate balloon built for Bristol & West at Cameron Balloons in Bedminster, Bristol is being operated by Bailey Balloons. The balloon is 105,000 cubic feet and carries pilot plus four passengers. The balloon's maiden flight was from the Bath Fiesta on 18th May.
This is a picture of the test inflation of the balloon at Ashton Court, Bristol, 16th May 2002.
 
David Hempleman-Adams record breaking flight to the North Pole.


Clive was responsible for the logistics and was Flight Director for David's historic balloon flight to the North Pole. Take off was on the 28th May 2000 from Spitsbergen, after two years of planning. On 1st June David reached the North Pole and was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records to be the first person to fly a balloon to the North Pole from land. He finally landed 300km from the take off site and was recovered by helicopter. His book 'Skies of Ice' is well worth reading.
David's view leaving Spitsbergen, he encountered temperatures down to minus 40 centigrade during the 126 hour solo flight and a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet.
Track to the North Pole and back. Luc Trullemans the Belgian meteorologist skilfully projected the winds at various altitudes to get the balloon to the Pole.
David, Brian Jones, and Clive at the control centre after the flight.
 
Clive & Jo flying at the Chateau D'oex Balloon Fiesta, Switzerland
18th - 27th January 2002


Each January Jo & Clive attend the most prestigious event of the winter's ballooning calendar.
80 - 100 balloons fly at this 10-day spectacular in the Swiss Alps set in a small mountain village in the sunshine and snow.
After another successful and stunning flight amongst the beautiful snow-covered mountains Jo lands in a field and waits for Clive to come and help her pull the balloon down.
The final weekend of the fiesta sees a spectacular night glow and fireworks in temperatures of minus 10 with the dramatic outline of the enormous mountains behind.
Clive is in his element in the Swiss mountains flying the balloon and enjoys the challenge of landing back at the fiesta launch site using the complex valley winds.