Hot-air balloon pilot explains safe landing on playing field in Kingswood

The pilot of a hot-air balloon that a witness thought had crash-landed on a playing field in Kingswood has explained it was a 'perfect' and planned safe landing. Amanda Thompson, who gained her pilot's licence in 2016 and has undertaken many flights across Bristol where she lives and other surrounding areas, was travelling in the balloon with her husband Craig and fellow crew member Rob Grzesiczek.

The trio set off from Ashton Court at 6.50pm yesterday evening, Friday, May 24, after meticulously checking weather conditions. The planned landing on Lees Hill Playing Field at around 8pm was chosen as the best place to end their journey.

Amanda, 42, has explained that, although it may have looked to those without flying experience that a balloon is out of control or in trouble, it is very rarely the case.

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Amanda, who flies under the branding S.M Gauge Company as a private pilot, said: "Hot air ballooning is a hobby so I don't have paid passengers. I got into it when my brother was crewing for Bailey Balloons and I started to help him out.

"My husband, who was part of the crew, has had his licence since 2010. I enjoy going up with the wind and every flight is completely different. I also enjoy meeting up with friends as it's such a nice tight-knit community. It is also nice to see Bristol or anywhere from a totally different view.

"We launched yesterday from Ashton Court which is our normal launch site and it was a perfectly normal flight across Soundwell. I spotted the playing field 10 minutes before landing and there were a lot of crops further in the distance so I made my descent down lower so I could get into the field.

"It was an absolutely perfect textbook touchdown landing. The football ground had given us access and after we landed we packed up and went home."

Amanda explained that no definite landing site can be initially determined when you set off on a flight because it depends on factors such as wind direction, which can often change without warning.

Amanda, who has travelled to Exeter today to take part in the Devonshire Balloon and Music Festival at Exeter Racecourse, said: "We have to come down to house top height and then below to be able to land back on the ground. We have no engine or brakes so it looks like we are going to crash but it's absolutely fine. We hold the same licence as a fixed-wing pilot."