Clive Bailey, co-founder of Bailey Balloons talks to us in the lead up to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta about taking to the skies.

How did you get into ballooning?

“I was first employed as a deep sea diver and worked in the Middle East and the North Sea for many years. It is funny how I now work in the skies! I first learnt to fly by gliders and then a friend took me for a balloon flight and I was hooked. It was very different from gliding but I loved the ability to skim the fields and fly over cities at a pace that enables you to take everything in. My father was a flight test engineer and sales director for Concorde and I was often taken to air shows as a young boy with my two brothers. We have all grown up with a passion for anything that flies!"

As a balloon pilot, what do you enjoy most about your job?

"The best is the flying- seeing some amazing sights such as wild deer, owls, hidden away houses and stunning scenery from the balloon, perhaps a few wisps of early morning mist in the sunny valley below you and meeting so many interesting people from so many places. I have also done a lot of filming for TV and have flown many famous people such as Ant and Dec and Jamie Oliver.”

Where in the world do you most enjoy flying?

“Ballooning has also taken me to many different countries around the world including Iran, Qatar, Oman, USA, Poland, Switzerland and many others. Bristol is an amazing place to fly but my favourite places to fly are in the snow clad Swiss Alps in the Winter and over the temples in Myanmar (Burma) in the summer.”

What are you most looking forward to this years International Balloon Fiesta?

“The Fiesta is a spectacular event which I love being part of; as a director at the Fiesta part of my job is to make sure everything is running smoothly and that everyone has a great time. My favourite thing about the event is meeting balloon enthusiasts and other people from the industry worldwide. It’s a fantastic chance for me to catch up with old friends from around the world! Ascending and flying amongst 150 other hot air balloons is also a real thrill, topped off by the Night Glows, Aerial Displays and other top class entertainment.”

Clive proposed to Jo at 8000 feet over Bath and they left their wedding by balloon! Clive is one of the key directors of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta who looks after all of the aerial displays, weather and flying at the fiesta. He works closely with Don Cameron of Cameron Balloons (who are the largest balloon manufacturer in the world based in Bedminster).