Up To 20 Balloons Will Fly October 8, 9 & 10

British pilot Allie Dunnington, who has conducted 51 introductions flights for the Centennial of Women Pilots, has organized one-of-the-kind Women Pilots Ballooning Event in the U.K. Women pilots from the U.K. and overseas will fly up to 20 hot air balloons.

The event will be co-located with the British Woman Pilot's Association (BWPA) annual general meeting at Heythrop Park in the U.K., and will provide a forum for fixed-wing pilots and balloonists to exchange flight experiences.

Pilots who participate in the event will experience:

• Two to three days and (subject to weather) four to five flying 'slots'.
• Up to 20 hot air balloons flown by women pilots from UK and overseas.
• Private flights and a non-commercial organization.
• Fun competitions and small prizes.
• An informal social program at local hostels.
• An exchange of flight experiences between fixed wing pilots and balloonists.

According to the organization "Gone With The Wind", for the past 37 years, there hasn’t been a balloon event in the UK that specifically encouraged women to fly. Out of every 100 balloon pilots only 5-6 are women. The organization says it would like to encourage more women with lapsed licences to get back into flying and to stimulate interest in younger people for this particular form of aviation. Ballooning, they say, doesn’t require enormous strength or deep pockets – it just needs a bit of determination and more women could enjoy this fascinating, original form of aviation.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners of fun and friendly competitions. The Heythrop Park Resort is offering special discounted rates for the event.

FMI: www.gonewiththewind.uk.com/current_projects.html#womenpilots