Junior school children at Pitsford School were treated to a demonstration and Q&A session with our pilot Pete Philpott and crew member Andy Hale.
You may have seen a review of this hot air balloon children’s event featured in the Northants Telegraph last week.
Pitsford School’s Headmaster and physicist Mr Toone also learnt how to use the burners in a hot air balloon. There were claps and cheers all around after Pete’s display where fire was blasted from the burners, creating spectacular sights in the school’s beautiful 26-acre grounds.
The children aged 7 – 11 were also allowed to jump inside the hot air balloon basket, giving them an insight as to what it’s like to go up, up, and away in what is one of the most exciting, adventurous methods of air travel.
The session was rounded off with Pete answering any questions the children had before teaching them the salute pose where they stood around the basket and had their photograph taken.
The educational session was organised after Pete landed his hot air balloon in a field close to the school grounds in May this year. The landing, which took place after a sunrise flight from Hanging Houghton created a lot of excitement amongst the children, many of whom had never seen a hot air balloon before.
Speaking about the demonstration and Q&A session, Headmaster, Mr Toone said: “The children enjoyed themselves enormously, especially when given the opportunity to climb into the basket. I was impressed by the range of questions posed by the children and also by Pete’s ability to entertain the pupils in a very informative way.”
As part of our quest to pass the hot air balloon pilot torch and teach children about the science behind this airborne activity, we plan to do many more events like this. If your school would like to get involved please email: customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk.