A massive new hot air balloon has started soaring over Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire in the capable hands of one of the country’s most experienced pilots.

Virgin Balloon Flights - the UK’s largest passenger carrying balloon company - have inflated their fleet for the 2006 season by spending £30,000 on a huge new balloon.

The Spanish-made balloon or ‘envelope’ is called G – VBFB and is a UltraMagic 355, as it takes a massive 355,000 cubic ft of air, and can carry a basket with up to 16 passengers.

The unmistakable bright red monster, Virgin’s second biggest only behind a mighty 400 which can take 19 passengers, will be flying people from VBF’s launch site’s in the counties including those in Biggleswade, Cambridge, Knebworth, Milton Keynes, Northampton and St Albans.

It will be controlled by none-other than VBF’s Chief Pilot, Kenneth Karlstrom, who has 27 years and over 3000 hours flying experience.
As well as his native Sweden, he has flown in Kenya, USA, Italy, France, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Greece and has been flying for VBF in England for seven years.

Kenneth, who competed in various world ballooning championships including 1981, 1983 and 1985 before committing himself to flying passengers, said: “It is always great to fly a brand new balloon but this one is very special because it is simply so massive. People on the ground are bound to be amazed when they see it overhead, but not as thrilled as the passengers flying with me in the basket.

“A Virgin Balloon Flight is a truly unforgettable experience and a wonderful gift to give and receive.”

Kenneth holds various balloon licenses including category A, B and C. He is one of few pilots in the UK to have a ‘C’ rating which allows him to fly a balloon which can take 16 passengers. He is also a C.A.A. (Civil Aviation Authority) examiner and instructor.

The new balloon, which is worth a total of £60,000 including the custom made basket and burners, is replacing Kenneth’s smaller Cameron 340. It is one of the biggest passenger carrying balloons in the country and weighs more than 2 tonnes with a full basket. It is capable of flying at up to 30,000ft and Kenneth can legally take it up to 10,000ft. Passengers flights will normally only go up to 2,000ft for around an hour at a time.

For more information or to book, visit the website at www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 0870 444 2768.

ABOUT KENNETH’S NEW BALLOON…

- Registered Name = G - VBFB
- Balloon ‘envelope type’= UltraMagic 355 Series N
- Holds 355,000 cubic ft of air
- Envelope Height (when inflated) of envelope = 29m
- Total height (inc. basket etc) = 33.3m
- Diameter at equator = 27.5m
- Cost of envelope = £30,000
- Total cost (inc. basket + burners etc) = £60,000
- Fuel usage = 250 litres an hour
- Maximum flight duration (with VBF) = 1hr 45mins, Average = 1 hour, Minimum   45mins
- Up to 150 flights/2250 passengers a season
- Total weight 2 tonnes+
- Can fly up to 30,000ft, and legally up to 10,000ft without oxygen
  (but VBF normally flies up to 2,000ft with passengers).