Hot air balloon pilot explains safe landing on Kingswood playing field

The pilot of a hot air balloon which a witness believed crashed on a playing field in Kingswood has explained that it was a “perfect” and safely planned landing. Amanda Thompson, who obtained her pilot’s license in 2016 and has flown many flights around Bristol, where she lives and in other surrounding areas, was traveling in the balloon with her husband Craig and fellow crew member Rob Grzesiczek.

The trio set off from Ashton Court at 6.50pm yesterday evening, Friday 24th May, after meticulously checking the weather conditions. The planned landing at Lees Hill playing field at around 8pm was chosen as the best place to end their journey.

Amanda, 42, explained that while it might appear to those with no flying experience that a balloon is out of control or in trouble, this is very rarely the case.

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Amanda, who flies under the SM Gauge Company brand as a private pilot, said: “Hot air ballooning is a hobby so I don’t have paid passengers. I got involved when my brother was crewing for Bailey Balloons and started helping out. him out.

“My husband, who was a crew member, has had his license since 2010. I love riding the wind and every flight is completely different. I also enjoy meeting up with friends because it’s such a nice, close-knit community. It’s also nice to see Bristol or anywhere from a totally different perspective.

“We launched yesterday from Ashton Court which is our usual launch site and it was a perfectly normal flight over Soundwell. I saw the playing field 10 minutes before landing and there was a lot of crops ahead so I lowered myself. so I can enter the field.

“It was an absolutely perfect landing for the textbook. The football field had given us access and after we landed we packed up and went home.”

Amanda explained that no definite landing spot can be determined initially when you set off on a flight, as it depends on factors such as wind direction, which can often change without warning.

Amanda, who traveled to Exeter today to attend the Devonshire Balloon and Music Festival at Exeter Racecourse, said: “We have to get down to the top height of the house and then lower so we can land back on the ground. engine or brakes, so it looks like we’re going to crash, but that’s absolutely fine. We hold the same license as a fixed-wing pilot.”