Bristol Balloon Fiesta
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Bristol Balloon Fiesta
I am hoping to visit the Bristol Balloon Fiesta this year and thought lots of balloons might make quite a sight from the air. I plan to fly in to Bristol Filton. However, I don't know much (anything really!) about ballooning so would appreciate any advice. Obviously I need to stay extremely well clear of them, mind the Bristol CTR and study any NOTAMS carefully. How high do balloons go, what kind of climb rate do they have, how far from their take-off point are they likely to travel on these kind of exhbition flights?
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I am hoping to visit the Bristol Balloon Fiesta this year and thought lots of balloons might make quite a sight from the air.
I plan to fly in to Bristol Filton. However, I don't know much (anything really!) about ballooning so would appreciate any advice.
Obviously I need to stay extremely well clear of them, mind the Bristol CTR and study any NOTAMS carefully
Obviously I need to stay extremely well clear of them, mind the Bristol CTR and study any NOTAMS carefully
) but with up to 120 balloons on frequency, you might not get anything useful...
How high do balloons go, what kind of climb rate do they have,
Generally, you wont find balloons much above 2000' AGL, unless they are "up to" something interesting, liek a distance or duration flight. Most balloons do not have transponders, they generally only borrow one for one of the aforementioned "interesting" flights.
how far from their take-off point are they likely to travel on these kind of exhbition flights?
The one thing you need to bear in mind is flight times: typically 2 hours after dawn and 2 hours before dusk. At this time of year that means morning briefing at 05:45 AM
I'll be there in a friend's balloon, G-CBHX
Be prepared to do a lot of flying around in circles
and let's hope that the weather works out.Feel free to post more questions here or PM me if you need any more info.
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Thanks RTFM. Very helpful indeed. We were going to watch the dawn lift from the ground (at least on Saturday), so perhaps we can be airborne for the dusk departure. Do you happen to know if any substantial number of balloons are flying on Saturday evening and if so, what time? Is it pretty precisely 2 hours before dusk?
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hi drauk,
the 2 hours before sunset is usually because of the thermals... balloonist don't want them and the thermals sometimes don't die until around then. It always depends on the weather conditions, especially the wind, as to where, when, and how far the balloons travel. As said already, a hot-air balloon flight lasts usually about an hour. It depends on the amount of propane that can be taken along, the amount of guests on board, the outside temperatures, the setting sun, and the available landing sites. As soon as a good site for landing is found, then down they go before it gets critical...
Enjoy the experience! It's usually a great sight! wish I could be there!
Westy
the 2 hours before sunset is usually because of the thermals... balloonist don't want them and the thermals sometimes don't die until around then. It always depends on the weather conditions, especially the wind, as to where, when, and how far the balloons travel. As said already, a hot-air balloon flight lasts usually about an hour. It depends on the amount of propane that can be taken along, the amount of guests on board, the outside temperatures, the setting sun, and the available landing sites. As soon as a good site for landing is found, then down they go before it gets critical...
Enjoy the experience! It's usually a great sight! wish I could be there!
Westy
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Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Been a couple of times, very impressed by the big "light-up" after dark!!!! could someone please confirm the dates for the event?
Oh, and any chance of a ride? Swap for a flight in a light single perhaps?
Oh, and any chance of a ride? Swap for a flight in a light single perhaps?
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No, it's not that precise 
As Westy says, it depends on the amount of thermic activity and/or sea breezes. If you want to PM me a mobile number, I'll be happy to call you up after the briefing to let you know what the plan is...
The Fiesta is the weekend of the 8/9/10 August. I'll checkout when the flying/glow slots are and post back.
As Westy says, it depends on the amount of thermic activity and/or sea breezes. If you want to PM me a mobile number, I'll be happy to call you up after the briefing to let you know what the plan is...The Fiesta is the weekend of the 8/9/10 August. I'll checkout when the flying/glow slots are and post back.
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Flight Times...
Balloon Launch times during the Fiesta weekend are scheduled to be:
Thursday 7th August - 6.00 pm 'Special Shapes' launch and tether, followed by Night Glow.
Friday 8th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm
Saturday 9th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, followed by Night Glow
Sunday 10th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm
subject to weather conditions, of course
Thursday 7th August - 6.00 pm 'Special Shapes' launch and tether, followed by Night Glow.
Friday 8th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm
Saturday 9th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, followed by Night Glow
Sunday 10th August - 6.00 am and 6.00 pm
subject to weather conditions, of course
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Just a quick comment: If you're intending to use Filton the opening hours are somewhat restricted at weekends like 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday but check as they do vary if they've got something big scheduled.
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Martine, I noticed exactly that and have been meaning to call them and check. Is Bristol (which I understand is 24Hr) significantly more expensive for two landings and two nights' parking?
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I don't know what Bristol charges but I'd guess yes.
Staverton, sorry Gloucester! has longer opening hours and I believe you can depart outside normal operating hours if you sign a form.
The guys @ Filton are usually friendly but it is a privatley owned airfield (by BAe) and they will shut up shop if there is nothing due in outside normal hours. I suggest you phone them up and see what's what.
I can vouch for the fiesta (though not having seen it from the air) when a mass launch happens it a truly beautiful sight. The medium range weather forecast is looking excellent for next weekend.
Hope it comes off - see ya.
Staverton, sorry Gloucester! has longer opening hours and I believe you can depart outside normal operating hours if you sign a form.
The guys @ Filton are usually friendly but it is a privatley owned airfield (by BAe) and they will shut up shop if there is nothing due in outside normal hours. I suggest you phone them up and see what's what.
I can vouch for the fiesta (though not having seen it from the air) when a mass launch happens it a truly beautiful sight. The medium range weather forecast is looking excellent for next weekend.
Hope it comes off - see ya.
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I will be @ the fiesta most of the weekend as my wife owns Initially Yours (embroidered clothing) which will have a stand AND I will be manning the Institute of Advanced Motorists stand as well. Pop in to either stand and look for the balding, bearded 40's chap and it might be me!
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EGGD
Bristol EGGD BIA is in much closer to the BF than Filton
A light single costs around £25 landing fee plus Handling by BFC at £5
For a 24hr fully manned GA facility this is a pretty fair price
BIA/BFC welcomes all GA aircraft should you have an queries
or the need to haggle call BFC ops 01275 474601
Jet A1 31p Avgas 92p
A light single costs around £25 landing fee plus Handling by BFC at £5
For a 24hr fully manned GA facility this is a pretty fair price
BIA/BFC welcomes all GA aircraft should you have an queries
or the need to haggle call BFC ops 01275 474601
Jet A1 31p Avgas 92p
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I'll likely be making a couple of landings, but £60 versus what I'm guessing would probably be about 35 at Filton is no big deal. Being 24 hour is a big plus. Thanks for this info Martin, looks like I'll probably use BIA now.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Out of hours at Bristol
Bristol is open 24hrs, but I suggest you give them a call if you're planning on flying at "unusual" hours. Their GA centre isn't 24hrs, as I discovered when I had to make a weather diversion there - ATC told me I was welcome to land but they didn't know what to do with me once I was on the ground because there was no one around to handle me....
FFF
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FFF
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BIBF pictures :)
