My favourite movie of all time is Twister.
I got to see it in cinemas when it came out in 1996. I was seven, and even though I spent a lot of it pressed up against the carpeted theatre wall hiding my eyes, I was decidedly impressed and spent many years wishing Helen Hunt had not so successfully deployed the ‘Dorothy’ – so that maybe I could’ve had a shot at it myself when I was old enough. Somewhat fortuitously, I stumbled into hot air ballooning instead.
The similarities delight me every day. Meteorology – micro-meteorology – all is at its whim. Detailed planning, navigation and logistics. Dedicated professionals of the niche variety and as close as family. The excitement of the chase; a convoy of vehicles with a common cause. Communication by UHF – I always have to fight the overwhelming desire to broadcast my music over the radio as we race to a meeting point. It’s storm chasing, but balloons!
Pato Saunders invited me onto the Australian ballooning scene during his 2017 Northam Nationals crew-recruiting spree. He bundled me into a balloon basket on a crisp winter morning in the Yarra Valley, and I’ve been a part of Global Ballooning Australia ever since. I’ve worked as ground crew on many extraordinary projects – flights over Kosciusko, a tether for Hendricks Gin in Sydney, the Grampians, the Skywhale, ballooning at both ends of Australia on the national competition circuit. Not one morning goes past where I don’t get a thrill from crewing on balloons. Unlike fixed-wing, every flight is a unique and holistic team effort.
Last year, we leapt at the opportunity to squish in my private licence just before the summer season began. My best friend, Georgia Croft, was my primary instructor, and Kiff Saunders polished me off. Learning to fly gave me more insight and knowledge to use on the ground. I love being up there and down here equally.
In October ’22, Pato and I flew together from Benalla to Mansfield – a spontaneous 2.5-hour adventure flight conceived at 8:30 pm the night before around a fire pit back home in the Yarra Valley. We were up and on the road by 3:30 am and in the sky by 6. It was my first time in the balloon with Pato in ages.
We spent hours riding the winds in pure form. We quested to 11500ft; we cruised at 10000ft (very cold). We plunged to 4000ft – twice – and zig-zagged our way through the hills into Mansfield valley. Suffering shifty winds, we re-assessed our landing point three times – that’s fair, as target fixation can become a detriment in ballooning. Finally, Scarlett collected us from a new location with dry ground and a friendly farmer.
I now work as senior crew in Melbourne City with the best of the best, but switch seamlessly, as required, between all three of Global’s locations – Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Mansfield. I also work with our head office on marketing, promotions, content, and branding. Our company is family in all the best ways.
I love delivering our experience first-hand. It’s a flow state with the added bonus of a natural circadian rhythm. Reading each passenger first thing in the morning to build a special rapport. Working with primitive, awe-inspiring aircraft, joking around with the guests and gelling with your pilot to deliver a professional performance. Sitting with the passengers at breakfast after the flight, sharing the sensationalism of an out-of-the-ordinary lifestyle via questions and storytelling.
Every day I’m surprised that this little wedge of the aviation industry utilises so many of the attributes I’ve surreptitiously developed over the years – meteorology, safety consciousness, business management, the operation of simple and sophisticated aircraft and other machines, and the keen observation of my natural senses and instinct. Aviation tourism takes flexibility, adaptability, observation, empathy and intuition. Some days I even feel that being a big sister to four siblings gives me a leg-up in this work. Every morning, driving the passengers back in the Troopcarrier, a bubbly feeling comes from my heart, pumps up my chest and tumbles out through my mouth. I reckon it’s joy.
One of Australia’s larger-than-life ballooning characters recently released her memoir, Conquering Clouds, an entertaining recount of adventure, bravery and aviation history. Thanks to Ruth E. Wilson’s indomitable spirit and determination, Australia’s first official national Hot Air Ballooning champion was a woman! Hers is a life filled with interesting and enlightening moments, regaled with remarkable candour in this book, and I highly recommend it. See ruthwilson.net or visit your favourite online bookstore. Thank you for writing this book, Ruth!
Bronni Bowen 