106.5 JACK fm Bristol

David Hempleman-Adams and Jon Mason

Today, the countdown's started for the world's oldest aviation event that's heading to Bristol this September.

On 25th September 2010 Bristol will host the world’s oldest aviation event. Gas Balloonists from all over the world will compete in the 54th Gordon Bennett race – a race to fly the furthest distance in a gas balloon from the start point. This prestigious Aviation Event is a race of epic proportions, challenge and endurance.

22 teams consisting of two pilots (pilot and co-pilot) and a retrieve crew, from 12 countries will compete in the 54th Gordon Bennett. The balloons will take off at dusk from Ashton Court. Great Britain will be represented by three teams. The pilots in command will be David Hempleman-Adams, Colin Butter and Janet Folkes.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Sir Richard Branson have both agreed to be event Patrons. Sir Richard Branson said "It gives me great pleasure to be patron of the 2010 Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett. I know from some of my own long distance balloon flights what a challenge and adventure this will be, and I will be watching the live tracking on the web site with great interest"

For the first time since the event started in 1906, the race is going to start from the UK, after the West's David Hempleman-Adams and his co-pilot Jon Mason won the race in 2008.

They won the race which started in the United States having spent 4 solid days and nights airborne in an old-fashioned gas balloon. 

The gas balloons are controlled by releasing gas to go down and throwing out sand to go up. The pilots stand in small wicker baskets that have to be equipped with flight instruments and radios, food & warm clothing as flights can last 4-5 days in this cramped and uncomfortable space. The pilots will take it in turns to have a short sleep and rest periods.

Each team is backed up with a control centre based on the ground and for David and his co-pilot Simon Carey, a Virgin Airlines senior captain, they will have a core team of experts: Clive Bailey, his flight director who will monitor and calculate his every move along with the weather guru Luc Trullmans. Clive will be based in the Bristol Hotel in Bristol and he will remain awake for most of time to keep an eye on David and help him to find the most favourable track.

David told us: "I prepare for the event by going down the pub so making sure there's no nerves. I go to sleep for the first 6 hours and let the co-pilot fly me out. I think it will be a beautiful sight all these balloons leaving Ashton Court, flying across the British countryside, towards the Continent."

To hear the full interview with David Hempleman-Adams speaking with our reporter Roz Hutchings, click on the link below.

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Click on the link below to hear the full interview with Organiser and Flight Director, Clive Bailey speaking with our reporter Roz Hutchings.

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Our reporter Roz Hutchings spoke to Don Cameron - Race Organiser and founder of Cameron Balloons.

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You'll be able to find out more about the event and track the balloons once the race starts at www.gordonbennett2010.com

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