This past weekend, the skies above Longleat came alive with an incredible mix of hot air balloons as part of the new 'Icons of the Sky' festival. Formerly known as the SkySafari, this year’s event took things to the next level.
Now, the 'Icons of the Sky' festival wasn’t just about balloons. The weekend event celebrated all things aviation. From hot air balloons to the exhilarating stunts of wingwalkers, the festival delivered unforgettable experiences for all who attended. An estimated 9,000 people were on-site on Saturday alone to witness the magic.
Our very own B&A Group balloon, affectionately known as JIMA, played a prominent role throughout the festival. Over the course of the weekend, JIMA soared through the skies on three separate flights and wowed the crowds during the famous "glow" event on Saturday night.
We're also incredibly proud to announce a significant milestone for JIMA—reaching 100 hours of combined flight and tethering time! This accomplishment is a testament to the skill of our pilot and crew and highlights the many hours of unforgettable experiences JIMA has seen.
We would again like to thank our wonderful pilot, Rob Clements and the rest of our fantastic Balloon Team for all the effort they put in!
For us here at Bristol & Avon Transport & Recycling, the event marked the end of our formal 2024 ballooning season. However, we’ll be keeping an eye on the weather for future local flights before the year is out.
For more information about the 'Icons of the Sky' festival and all the incredible displays, visit Longleat’s official website.
