'In-Line Launch’ at Waterford Airport as part of the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships

Sept 2015

Some 30 Hot Air Balloons are set to launch in a single line at Waterford Airport as part of the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships while the festival takes place in the City from September 20th to 25th 2015.

The record making in-line launch was achieved at Waterford Airport back in 2009 when 24 eye-catching hot air balloons took to the skies above the airport and booked their place in history as the largest ever number of hot air balloons taking off in-line at an airport in Ireland and in the UK and around the 21st of September the balloon pilots plan to break the record which still stands.

Commenting on the record attempt, event organiser and balloonist Joe Daly said, “We are very much looking forward to the festival and bringing the colourful spectacle to Waterford. While Waterford city is hosting the 45th Irish National Championships, at Waterford Airport we will attempt to break the standing record of 24 balloons taking off in a single line simultaneously at an Airport. It will be a sight to behold.”

Hot air balloons have the same aviation regulations as aircraft for landing and take-off at Waterford Airport as well as the use of the adjacent air space and Waterford Airport will provide Air Traffic Control assistance to the balloon crews at the festival and for the record attempt.

The Irish National Hot Air Ballooning Championships, sponsored by Imtech Suir Engineering, are the longest running such event in the world and balloons from throughout Ireland, the UK, France, Holland, Italy and USA will travel to take part in the visually spectacular aviation event. The first event was held in 1971 county Longford and was attended by a handful of balloons. The event now attracts over 40 balloons annually and is the biggest of its kind in Ireland, with the ancient aircraft taking to flight entirely depending on the wind for direction.

Each morning and evening of the festival, a launch of the balloons will take place from a different location subject to flyable conditions. Locations include The Peoples Park, Woodlands Hotel, Waterford Castle, Curraghmore House and Waterford Airport. In addition to the launches, the balloonists plan to provide a spectacular Night Glow, thanks to RE/MAX

Further information can be found on www.flywaterford.com or www.irishballoonchampionships.com