Why Flying is More Fun in the Philippines: The Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013 Adventure

The heat is on once again as the 18th Clark Philippines Hot Air Balloon Fiesta kicks off this year – and for sure Adventuroj wouldn’t miss this one. Not just that, a couple of friends also went along with me this time!

So here’s a round up of photo taking under the scorching heat of the sun that happened during the day of everything that flies.

Hot Air Balloon flight

The show started early with the morning hot air balloon flight that many long to want in sight.

Hot Air Balloon flight (7)

Hot Air Balloon flight (8)

Hot Air Balloon flight (6)

Hot Air Balloon flight (5)

Hot Air Balloon flight (4)

Hot Air Balloon flight (3)

Hot Air Balloon flight (2)

Trivia: You may wonder why Hot Air Balloons fly only early in the morning or late in the afternoon?

A: Despite the intimidating size, balloons are very gentle aircraft, indeed they are sometimes referred to as Gentle Giants. Balloons need cool stable calm winds to operate effectively and the hours following sunrise are the most suitable before the heat of the day. As hot air balloons are the only form of flight which moves with the wind, the weather is most important.

Hot Air Balloon flight (1)

Hot Air Balloon flight (14)

Hot Air Balloon flight (13)

Hot Air Balloon flight (12)

Hot Air Balloon flight (11)

Hot Air Balloon flight (10)

Hot Air Balloon flight (9)

Aerobatic Shows

Fantastic flying skills came up next as aerobatic shows were shown.

Aerobatic Show 4

Aerobatic Show (3)

Aerobatic Show (2)

Aerobatic Show (1)

Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition

One of the biggest highlights this year is the performance of the Breitling Jet Team, the largest civilian aerobatic display team in Europe. Based in Dijon, France, they fly seven Aero L-39 Albatros jets.

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (8)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (7)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (6)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (5)

The Breitling Jet Team flies an aerial display lasting 18–20 minutes that includes close formation flying, opposition passes, solo routines and synchronized maneuvers. The team flies displays across Europe and the Middle East and each year undertakes a busy schedule of engagements, including major international air shows and Breitling corporate events – just how lucky we are for them to perform for us here! Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (4)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (3)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (2)

Breitling Aerobatic Exhibition (1)

Kite Flying Exhibition

The skies were once again filled with these colorful flying little wonders.

Kite Flying Exhibition (7)

Kite Flying Exhibition (6)

Kite Flying Exhibition (5)

Kite Flying Exhibition (4)

Kite Flying Exhibition (3)

Kite Flying Exhibition (2)

Kite Flying Exhibition (1)

Love Story in the Scene

And in the middle of all these things – we were lucky enough to witness a love story of these two love birds, who let themselves burned under the heat of the sun particularly unaware of their surroundings, so deeply engrossed in attention with each other alone.

If only I was able to caught in camera the almost 3 hours of gazing, fighting, apologizing, and making up again – and simply being inlove of these two – you surely will believe that true love still do exist.

Love Story

And so the day continued with more flying stunts, photo ops and plane spotting.

Plane Spotting

Plane Spotting (6)

Plane Spotting (5)

Plane Spotting (4)

Plane Spotting (3)

Plane Spotting (2)

Plane Spotting (1)

Ultralight Flying

Ultralight Flight (4)

Ultralight Flight (3)

Ultralight Flight (2)

Ultralight Flight (1)

Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition

Sky diving exhibition (5)

Sky diving exhibition (4)

Sky diving exhibition (1)

Sky diving exhibition (2)

Sky diving exhibition (3)

Night Glow

Night Glow (2)

Night Glow (1)

Flying Friendships and More Photo Ops

Fellow Pinoy Travel Bloggers meet up with Mai from Budget Biyahera and Yaj the RJ d Explorer.

Flying Friendships (1)

More photo opportunities with the gang that made it all happened – my travel buddies!

Flying Friendships (3)

Flying Friendships (4)

Hot Air Balloon flight (14)

Flying Friendships (5)

Flying Friendships (6)

Until next year again Philipppine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta!

Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013: Schedule of Activities

Excited in witnessing this year’s Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark?

Clark Hot Air Festival 2012

Clark Hot Air Festival 2012

Here’s the schedule of activities for this colorful event.

21 February 2013 – First Fiesta Day

6:20-6:30 AM – Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM – Hot Air Balloon flight
7:30-8:00 AM – RP / Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM – Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM – Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:15 AM – Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
9:15-9:45 AM – PT13 Stearman
9:45-10:30 AM – PNP Sky Diving Exhibition
10:30-11:30 AM – AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
11:30-12:00 PM – Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
12:00-12:30 PM – German aerobatic glider flight
12:30-1:00 PM – KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
1:00-1:45 PM – Airlink / WCC / Omni / Airlink / Alpha flyby
1:45-2:30 PM – AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
2:30-2:45 PM – FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM – Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demo
3:15-4:00 PM – ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing
4:00-4:30 – PM RP /U.S./ Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding exhibition
4:30-5:00 – PM Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition
5:00-5:30 – PM Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
5:30-6:00 – PM Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers

22 February 2013 – Second Fiesta Day

6:20-6:30 AM – Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM – Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:30-8:00 AM – RP / Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM – Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-8:45 AM – PT13 Stearman
8:45-9:30 AM – Sky diving exhibition
9:30-10:30 AM – AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
10:30-11:00 AM – ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing
11:00-11:15 AM – FEATI / PHILSCA Rocketry /RC Demonstration
11:15-11:45 AM – Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
11:45-12:15 PM – Para-Gliding Tow Exhibition
12:15-12:30 PM – KAP / KTP Kite flying exhibition
12:30-1:15 PM – WCC / Omni / Airlink / Alpha / Leading Edge flyby
1:15-1:45 PM – German aerobatic glider flight
1:45-2:15 PM – Car Drifting Display
2:15-2:45 PM – Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM – ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
3:15-3:45 PM – AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
3:45-4:15 PM – Sky diving exhibition
4:15-4:45 PM – Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
4:45-5:15 PM – RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding/Towing Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM – Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers

23 February 2013 – Third Fiesta Day

6:20-6:30 AM – Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM – Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:30-8:00 AM – RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM – Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM – Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:45 AM – AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
9:45-10:30 AM – Tandem Sky diving exhibition
10:30-11:00 AM – ACFC Ultralight/Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing
11:00-11:30 AM – Turbine RC flying display
11:30-12:00 PM – Helicopter flight display
12:00-12:30 PM – Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
12:30-1:00 PM – PT13 Stearman / AOPA-P Flyby
1:00-1:30 PM – WCC / Omni / PPA / CIA / Orient / Airlink flyby
1:30-2:00 PM – Winch-launched German aerobatic glider flight
2:00-2:30 PM – KAP / KTP Kite Flying Demonstration
2:30-3:00 PM – Paragliding Tow Exhibition
3:00-3:30 PM – Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
3:30-4:00 PM – ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights
4:00-4:30 PM – Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
4:30-5:00 PM – Skydiving Exhibition
5:00-5:30 PM – RP/Malaysian/Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM – Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, RC Nightflyers
24 February 2013 – Fourth Fiesta Day
6:20-6:30 AM – Philippine Flag jump
6:30-8:00 AM – Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:30-8:00 AM – RP / Malaysian / Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:00-8:30 AM – Meynard Halili / Aerobatic Show
8:30-9:00 AM – Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00-9:45 AM – Wings Over Asia / AOPA – P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
9:45-10:30 AM – Tandem Skydiving Exhibition
10:30-11:00 AM – Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
11:00-11:30 AM – ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing
11:30-12:00 PM – Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demo
12:00-12:30 PM – Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
12:30-1:00 PM – German aerobatic glider flight
1:00-1:30 PM – Car Drifting demonstration
1:30-2:00 PM – PT13/ WCC / Airlink / Omni / Leading Edge/ Airlink flyby
2:00-2:30 PM – KAP / KTP Flying Exhibition
2:30-2:45 PM – FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
2:45-3:15 PM – ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights
3:15-3:30 PM – PT13 Stearman fly by
3:30-4:00 PM – Sky diving exhibition
4:00-4:30 PM – Meynard Halili aerobatic Show
4:30-5:30 PM – RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australian Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00 PM – Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, RC Nightflyers, Fireworks

Visit www.philballoonfest.net for more info.

HOW TO GET THERE FROM MANILA

1. Take a bus going north and get off at Dau, Pampanga. Fare is Php 200 – 300 pesos.
2. From the bus station, take a jeepney by the highway that will bring you to Clark Main gate.
3. Ride a jeep to the main gate. Fare is Php 8.00 pesos.
4. From the main gate, ride a jeep again to the venue. Fare is Php 10.00 pesos.

ENTRANCE FEE AND WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

  • 250 pesos entrance fee / person / valid for 1 whole day
  • You can purchase tickets at the gate, at any SM Ticketnet outlet, at ROX Bonifacio Global City, or at ROX Marquee Mall Clark.
  • You may call 833-3264 or 384-0085 for ticket inquiries.

RIDING THE BALLOON

It’s on a first-come-first-serve basis. Register at the Information Booth, fee is US$250 per person. Children should be at least 10 years old to ride.

For more information, visit http://www.philballoonfest.net