Tour Info
Over the past few years Commercial Flying in Thailand has progressed steadily into a standard format, together with the Department of Civil Aviation policy to promote the flying industry, has led to the establishment of several new flying units. Flying Media Company limited, which is another commercial flying unit, provides the service of Hot Air Balloon Flying. Although the company does not provide air transportation services or long distance passenger services, however, Hot Air Balloon Flying is the business of taking people to the skies and the responsibility of bring the passengers, pilot and the balloon itself back to ground safely.
The reasons for this business, asides from that of the actual balloon which must be of standard quality, the pilot too is in fact essential for the success of this business. Flying Media Company Limited has strict standards for flying and the actions of the pilot including excellent training and conduct of the pilot.
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All of the flights are operated by foreign pilots, with an international commercial pilot license.
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The first balloon registration was the HS-FLY, then they had 8 more balloons legally registered in Thailand. All balloons and insurance policies have been checked by the Thai Aviation Authorities.
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Each and every one of the flight is under control of Chiang Mai Airport Tower.
MEET THE PILOTS
Captain Chai Suwatthi Capt. Chai graduated from the Thai Army Aviation School in Lopburi, after what he served in the army for a while after he got a CPL and Instructor rating for helicopter. Now he still serves as chief helicopter pilot and instructor for one of Thailand’s government departments. He logs a more than fifthteen thousand hours experience in the air on much helicopter type. Chai was recruited to become the first Thailand Hot air Balloon licensed pilot, approved by the Thailand Department of Civil Aviation. His experience in a balloon is more than 200 hours, mainly as one of the balloon pilot team of Balloon Adventure Thailand, as he is flying balloons when his duties permit.
Mr Rapee Kornkoseeyakaj Alumni of Kasetsart University Bsc., Rapee (’1962) joined as hot air balloon pilot the Balloon Adventure Thailand team. This aviation activities lover, retired as a construction entrepreneur, familiar with remote controlled planes for 40 years, wished to join the balloon business and immediately joined the company. First he trained to be a crew for 4 years in the same time learning everything about ballooning. Later on he started training flights in Thailand with Capt.Chai and 5 company’s guest pilot. Today he is a pilot for 5 years with more than 300 flying hours and a mere 1,000 hours captive balloon.. He is now flying the balloons of Balloon Adventure Thailand team, which brought him around the world sponsor by Singha flying over several European, Asian countries, the USA, Brazil and still more. With another pilot job Rapee is now A Technical Manager of Balloon Adventure Thailand team.
Mr Nithis Thongdee Samutprakarn born Nithis the new comer at Balloon Adventure Thailand. For many years he worked in the transportation sector, started as part time balloon crew in Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta for 3 years and finally this ballooning fan, in 2011, got the chance to train to become pilot. Now Nithis got his pilot license with 1,500 hours tethering and 400 hours flying time.Nithis are also used to travel many place around the world by Singhasponsor "I join balloon to see the world". At this moment Nithis is a chief pilot for the Balloon Adventure Thailand team.
Mr. Derek Hancock Derek was born and grew up in London, England. At age 21 he and his wife, Maureen, moved to California to forward his computer career. After 13 years in California he was relocated by his company to Portland, Oregon.Derek got involved in ballooning when a co-worker balloon pilot invited him to come help with his balloon. After getting a ride in the balloon, Derek became 'hooked'. When his company decided to relocated to Arizona, Derek decided to use his 'layoff' money to buy his first balloon and started his own balloon ride company.The company has been successfully giving balloon rides for the past 16 years.During the wet and cold Oregon winters, Derek and Maureen travel to various balloon festivals in Asia. For the past 2 years Derek has been a pilot for Flying Media, flying passengers in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Khoa Yai.
