Novembers meeting seemed different, it was different, but I don’t feel talented enough to tell you how.
Dave Stokes is responsible for setting up this event, that’s what it was, not a meeting. Through his efforts he managed to arrange for the Wessex Strut, an assorted collection of Private Pilots, Microlighters and Aviation enthusiasts, usually around 12 to 14 in number at most meetings, to have a presentation given by one of the First men to Circumnavigate the World by Balloon.
Think about that for a second. Brian Jones is more used to making his presentations to vast audiences for a considerable fee. He is a World Record holder and a "First", a monumental First. Why should he bother with such a meeting? Through Dave’s efforts, and the not inconsiderable charity and mutual shared love of flying of Brian Jones, this event cost the Wessex Strut Nothing. All we had to do was turn up and show some interest. The presentation was from one Pilot to other Pilots.
Brian Jones spent thirteen years with the RAF. He developed a passion for flying balloons in 1986, became an instructor in 1989 and is now the UK’s chief flying instructor. He worked on the Breitling Orbiter 2 attempt and was project manager for Breitling Orbiter 3. Originally the back up pilot, he stepped in as co-pilot at a late stage.
Pilot in command of the Breitling Orbiter 3 was Bertrand Piccard. Bertrand is a medical doctor specialising in Psychiatry. He comes from a family of adventurers: his Grandfather was the first man to reach the stratosphere in a balloon, while his father headed in the opposite direction and went to the deepest part of the ocean in a bathyscaphe. After he had become a Hang Glider champion, he originated the Breitling Orbiter project and was pilot in command of all three attempts.
I am pleased to say there was a better than average turn out by the Strut. Our numbers were swelled by about 8 members of the invited Bristol Strut and I believe a couple from the Devon Strut, it was also very heartening to see a good number of "better half s". I apologise for not being able to give numbers or names, but, I just didn’t get round to it. Also present was a team from the BBC who have been following Brian around doing a "fly on the wall" type documentary.
Brian Jones is an accomplished speaker. His presentation, supplemented with slides was informative, thought provoking, entertaining and down right enjoyable.
1 will not attempt to precise or explain his presentation but his portrayal of his desperate attempts at deflating the balloon at the end of the flight with the aid of a large pyrotechnic and the ensuing calamity was worth the evening alone. Brian spoke of how the flight had changed him, especially the portion over the deserts where he spent a long time gazing at the scene and trying to fathom how they could be so privileged with their solitary splendid view of the world whilst below thousands were fighting starvation, drought and disease. As a result of this and other events he and Bertrand decided they had to do something to help. One way of doing this was the forming of a Charitable Trust called Winds Of Hope. The plan is to use the interest from the Budweiser prize money and other donations to make an annual award, every 2lst March - the anniversary of the landing. This award will fund relief from catastrophes, diseases or conflicts, whose sufferings are unreported by the media or forgotten by the general public.
After a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and as a way of attempting to show our appreciation, a collection was made and handed to Brian to donate to his most worthwhile charity. The total collected on the evening was £239.45.
To those who could not make it, you really missed out! Details of the flight are available on the Breitling Orbiter 3 website.
John Porter