Pioneer balloonist rises again

Pioneering balloon pilot Wing Commander Roly Parsons had only good things to say after taking part in the 15th Trust House Balloons Over Wairarapa this week.

Mr Parsons etched his name in New Zealand ballooning history when he mastered a hot air balloon crossing over Cook Strait 38 years ago, in just the fourth balloon to be registered in New Zealand.

He is the only balloonist to have successfully achieved it.

The following year, he became the first to pilot a balloon directly over the top of Mt Cook, and later made the first balloon crossing of the Southern Alps.

Thursday saw the 72-year-old's first appearance at a major New Zealand ballooning festival.

Mr Parsons took part in the mass ascension in Carrington Park, Carterton, which marked the start of the four-day festival and was "exceptionally good".

"The weather was absolutely magnificent. It was a perfect morning and a complete breath of fresh air," he said.

He said the region was one of the top two in New Zealand, along with Canterbury, for ballooning. " The region is one of the major centres for the future of ballooning," he said.

Mr Parsons said it was the first major ballooning event he had attended in New Zealand after being overseas for many years. He now resides in Wellington.

"It just happened to be convenient and it was an exceptional opportunity to meet people I've missed for a long time."

Mr Parsons had enjoyed his time in Wairarapa and was looking forward to flying again yesterday morning.

The festival will continue today with the Times-Age Splash 'n Dash event at 7am at Henley Lake, Masterton, and the Trust House Night Glow at Solway Showgrounds from 6.30pm.

The competition flight over Carterton Events Centre will be held on Sunday at 7am.

Pilots choose a venue where the wind direction gives them the best chance of dropping a competition marker on to a target.