Balloonfest: All eyes in the sky

MANILA, Philippines - The Breitling Jet Team, the largest civilian aerobatics team, dazzled the crowd with its precision act in the skies as it headlined the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), which got under way yesterday at the OMNI Aviation Complex at the Clark Freeport Zone.

In the country for the first time, the France-based Breitling Jet Team will delight Filipino flight enthusiasts until Sunday with a series of 20-minute shows featuring close formation flying, opposition passes, solo routines and synchronized maneuvers on board its L39 Albatros jets.

“You can expect our best possible show,” pilot Frederic Schwebel said during Tuesday night’s press conference at Manila Peninsula for the aerial extravaganza.

“We want to do a good show for everyone. It will be a 20-minute show over Clark with fireworks, with smokes, and with seven jets to entertain everyone,” he added.

Schwebel and peers Jacques Bothelin, Philippe Laloix, Bernard Charbonnel, Patrick Marchard, Christopher Deketelaere and Francois Ponsot performed their aerobatic exhibition twice yesterday. They will again perform this weekend.

Aside from Breitling Jet Team, the Hot Air Fiesta also showcases 32 hot air balloons from 16 countries, paragliders, gliders, light aircraft, and skydiving, among others.

Event director Joy Roa said this year’s Hot Air Fiesta promises to be another feast for the eyes, especially with the Breitling Jet Team.

“We are proud to mark a milestone in the history of Philippine aviation with the participation of the world-renowned Breitling Jet Team. And this is just the icing on the cake because this year’s Hot Air Fiesta will offer more than aerial entertainment,” Roa said.

The event also presents aviation school displays, food booths, a fly market, the hot air balloon night glow, radio control UFO flyers and an OPM concert featuring top artists led by Ogie Alcasid and Gary Valenciano.

“One of the main goals of the Phl Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is to tell the world that flying is definitely more fun in the Phl,” said Roa.