Pilot Pete’s Flying Legacy

20/10/2026

On Saturday, Pilot Pete’s Flying Legacy held our 2026 AGM and Autumn Wrap-Up in Coln Valley, Gloucestershire.

Nearly forty volunteers and trainee balloonists gathered together to reflect on the past season, celebrate everyone’s hard work and to collaborate on plans for PPFL in the coming months and years. A particular thank you to our partner Cameron Balloons - represented by Nick Purvis - for making the journey to join us in the Cotswolds, as well as the BBAC Instructors and Coaches who gave up their weekend to offer expert advice and hands-on training to our Flight Path attendees.

During the day, we had the opportunity to recognise a few particularly outstanding members of the PPFL community, including our wonderful trustees - Anshul, Jess, Dan and Crispin - and the winner of the 2026 Peter Gregory Memorial Trophy, Marcus Green (collected in his stead by PuT Megan Bufton).

Marcus has gone above and beyond this year to open up the world of hot air ballooning to PPFL’s PUTs and crew, dedicating his weekends and years of expertise with boundless enthusiasm - just like Peter would have done 💖

If you’d like to get involved with PPFL either as a volunteer like Marcus, or as a Flight Path participant, all the details are on our website as how to apply (just check out the link in our bio) 🔗

14/10/2026

Today is the FAI’s International Day of Airsports - so we’re looking back on some of our favourite photos from the season that show just how much joy our sport brings 🎈 from the perfect landing spot, to night glows, to taking off with the family on board - there’s been some seriously happy faces over the last few months - swipe to see more ⏭️

Fancy being part of the PPFL pathway next year? Applications are open right now for Flying Start, and there’s still time to sign up for AGM and Autumn Wrap-Up on Saturday (link in our bio 🔗)

13/10/2026

Our Take To The Skies merch has gone worldwide! From Albuquerque Fiesta to the inaugural Armenian Championships, plus an appearance on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, our supporters are showing the love for Pilot Pete’s Flying Legacy all around the globe 🌍

Keep sending us photos and tagging us in your posts - we can’t wait to see where our shirts, socks and caps end up next 💖

Want to purchase your own? You’re in luck! Our new merch store is now live - https://pilot-petes-flying-legacy.sumupstore.com

Stock is limited though - so order asap to avoid disappointment.

Postage and collection options are available, and you can send any questions or requests direct to our DMs 💬

04/10/2026

Last week, PPFL board member and instructor Dominic Bareford was crowned Hot Air Ballooning World Champion in Krosno, Poland, becoming just the 5th pilot in the sport’s history to have achieved the title twice! 🥇🥇

Two more of our board members - Daniel Gregory and Thomas Hook - also competed, placing 22nd and 70th respectively, and the rest of the charity team showed up as crew, supporting Team GB to a 6th place finish in the Nation’s Cup💪

A huge congratulations to all involved: you worked incredibly hard, performed fantastically, and most importantly - did it in style. It was great to see PPFL shirts being repped across the briefing hall - including by the silver medal winner Paul Cuenot

Merch will be available on our website soon, so keep your eyes peeled if you missed out last time! 👀

New to ballooning? If you’re interested in learning to fly with hot air ballooning’s best, you’re in the right place! We’ve got a plethora of World Champions, Junior World Champions, and National Champions on our coach and instructor team. You can hit the link in our bio to apply now, and start your ballooning journey today 🎈

22/09/2026

You’re invited! The PPFL AGM and Autumn Wrap Up is happening at Coln Valley Village Hall on Saturday 17th October. The event will be a chance to get involved in our work, meet other balloonists and - for our newcomers - to hear what it takes to take to become a pilot or crew member. Plus there may be some flying (should the weather allow!).

All are welcome! Please RSVP via the link below: https://forms.gle/NGUzExLkjhiKZxyp7

16/09/2026

PPFL instructor Andrew has been ballooning in Tanzania for the past few months, but this weekend he switched the Serengeti for a safari a little closer to home, instructing our PUTs at longleatofficial ‘Icons of the Sky’ Meet.

Although the weather wasn’t always on our side, New Aviators Shea and Howard got a chance to fly on Friday, and Carli completed her first basket Night Glow. The wider team also had plenty of social time at the Glow, during Meet the Pilot and around the park itself.

A flight report will be coming soon - keep your eyes on our site for further updates!

12/09/2026

Great to see the PPFL balloon front and centre on the news!🎈We’ll be at Longleat for the whole weekend, so please do come and say hello to the team (and share your photos if you spot us! 📷)

Did you spot them this morning? 🎈

More than 50 hot air balloons flew over Longleat to mark the start of the Icons of the Sky festival ➡️ https://bbc.in/4cIewI2

There’ll also be pyrotechnic air displays, nightglows and fireworks across the weekend.

07/09/2026

Want to hear what life on the road (& in the sky!) is like as a New Aviator? Our PUT-written Flight Reports are the place to start (find the link in our bio!) 🔗

Discover our season so far through the eyes of our trainees, and get inspired to in 2027 (Flying Start applications open now….) 🎈

27/08/2026

Preorders close tonight at midnight! Secure your merch now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBjC4Ph10mJBChfIJTl1zvM6t2M0QNa74X9i7xy_4WCbejkw/viewform

24/08/2026

3 PuTs + 2 beautiful flights + 1 successful solo = a fantastic weekend for PPFL at Oswestry Balloon Festival 🥳

A huge congratulations to fast-track New Aviator Ben, who is one step closer to his licence after a Saturday morning solo, and a massive thank you to Lindsay, Marcus & Dom who helped get Megan, Ben and Shea in the air!

We’re looking forward to the Comps Club’s 50th Anniversary meet in Ludlow next week, and hoping to see many of you there 🎈