Hotair Balloon Team
Ballooning and Amateur Radio Club of Ireland
Position:
Pilot
Flying Qualifications:
Holder of UK (C.A.A) and Irish (I.A.A) Hot Air Balloon Private Pilots license (PPL-B).
Aidan 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.
Other Hobbies:
Amateur (Ham) Radio (Callsign EI-5-HW)
Comments:
Ballooning is 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.
Email: Aidan@HotAir.ie
Position:
Co Pilot
Flying Qualifications:
Holder of Ireland's first Irish Hot Air Balloon PPL(B) as issued by the I.A.A
Comments:
I saw my first balloon in 1990 and gave a helping hand and was asked to crew by the pilot, Sean Hennessy. He proposed me into the Dublin Balloon Club giving me and my son a first flight in 1991 and I was hooked on it! Commenced training by Sean that year and also with the C.F.I Tom McCormack, who saw me through the exams to gain my pilot's 'Exemption' in 1993. Now converted into a PPL/B.
Having flown various balloons including a special shape (a can), I have enjoyed all aspects of the type of flying and it's associated social life it brings with it. Now involved with flying within the HotAir.ie group, set up by Aidan Murphy using his 2 balloons, Puffin and Twister, the great times the growing group enjoys will stay with me long after I finish flying.
The people you meet, not just balloonists, and the enjoyment of the sport have always been one of the reasons I am involved with flying today, and the memory of my first flight with Sean is still as fresh in my mind as my last flight with Aidan, and I am really looking forward to the next.
Ballooning for me is not just a means to fly but a reason to live life to the full with great friend's and really laugh your way through life, he he.
Email: Mike@HotAir.ie
Position:
Retrieve Crew
Comments:
The Retrieve Crew represent the Pilot on the ground. They also look after ground operations and assist with liaising with the landowner when the balloon lands.
Position:
Flight Crew
Other Hobbies:
Ray's other aviation interests include aviation photography and scale modelling of Irish civil and military aircraft. He is also a keen trout and pike angler.
Comments:
The opportunity to be part of the balloon team has opened up a new and exciting avenue in aviation for me which I hope to develop in the years ahead.
Email: Ray@HotAir.ie
Position:
Flight Crew
Other Hobbies:
Margaret's other hobbies include walking and travelling and along with Ray has a keen interest in aviation, both of them attending most of the air shows held in this country over the year.
Comments:
Since becoming interested in ballooning in 2003 and being part of the ground crew, it has opened up new opportunities and is a great way to meet new people. Many summer evenings are spent touring parts of Co. Meath in pursuit of the balloon.
For those of you who wonder what a flight in a balloon is like it can only be described as magical, the feeling of floating through clouds - certainly one of the things that you should consider putting on a "to-do list" in your life.
Email: Margaret@HotAir.ie
Position:
Flight Crew
Other Hobbies:
Golf when I get a chance.
Hope to return to Amateur radio studies soon. I have have a huge interest in amateur radio from balloon via the echolink system. And hope to be able to participate some day.
Comments:
If you haven't been on a hot air balloon ride, you don't know what you are missing. Go for it!
We are lucky in County Meath to have several hot air balloon owners so the summer is very active (weather permitting).
Being part of the Hotair.ie team has introduced me to a super team of friends. A better understanding of thermals and weather conditions, most of the backroads and cul de sacs of County Meath. (especially the ones with grass in the middle) while working with retrieve crew.
Email: David@HotAir.ie
Position:
Flight Crew.
Other Hobbies:
Motor Sport Rallying, Golfing (Handicap 5).
Comments:
I got involved with ballooning by getting together with Aidan after 25 years, Aidan offered me a flight in his balloon with a return offer of a spin in my rally car. What interests me in the hobby of Hot Air Ballooning is my graw for information on how anything works, be it theoretical, practical or mechanical. With a mechanical background, building, maintaining, running and piloting my own rally car,(holder of an F.I.A. International rally licence, ex National Class 1 Champion), Hot Air Ballooning would be the polar opposite from the frenzied pace and pressure of the cockpit of my 206, (the car, not the Bell 206 Helicopter!). I always had a head for blind navigation and sense of direction. These are some of the skills that I have that would be beneficial to the team.
Email: brendan@hotair.ie
Position:
Crew Member
Flying Qualifications:
European & American Commercial Helicopter Pilot,
Helicopter Flight Instructor.
Comments:
Met Aidan at Weston Airport in late 2006 and completed his Helicopter License with him. A promised balloon flight in early 2007 was enough to "hook" me! I was amazed at how peaceful it all was, as you go where the air brings you with only the sounds from the ground. No engine noise and no
chatter from earphones make this the sport of kings and is the ultimate magic carpet ride. I am delighted to be a part of the team that get to fly in four different balloons and we always manage to have a good laugh no matter what the weather.
Ballooning is a must try for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors!
Email: andrew@hotair.ie
