What's important to us?
You are! Our staff and our working practices are! The environment is! So our ballooning is "Real", and our practices increasingly "green" and ethical. We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (No. BL049) and their audits ensure that our standards are high and your status as an air passenger is secure.
What's unique about us?
We believe in Real Ballooning - we want you to have the chance to be involved, to fly sooner rather than later, to have the very best flight experience. This is possible with our smaller balloons - we can ascend and descend with agility, making best use of the wind layers of the day. These traditional-sized baskets also mean we can launch in more varied terrain and weather conditions. The extra benefit is that our groups are smaller and we can care about you as an individual.
Why our ballooning is "Real"
IAN BRIDGE (one of Espiritu's Pilot) has a standard of skill which will ensure that you feel safe, and that the most is made of your time in the air. He has flown all over the world - Europe, North America, Africa, Asia gaining over 2900 hours of experience as Pilot in Command. British Champion six times, he achieved eighth at World Championship level and is a BBAC approved Instructor. Ian's award-winning career in pig-breeding before founding Espiritu Balloon Flights, means that he is sensitive to the needs of landowners and farmers - people who are key to ensuring the continuing beauty of our British landscape and the future of hot air ballooning.
Our Staff
Joanne's excellent office administrative skills ensure that the Espiritu office keeps ahead with all the important information about our customers and our flights.
Our Ground Crew are essential to the safe and thoroughly enjoyable launching and retrieiving of our balloons. Meet Michael (Senior Crew), John, Robin, Chris and Iain