In its fifth edition, the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival will be kicking off with a Chennai-special sneak peek. For the second time since the festival’s inception in 2013, professional balloonists will stop by Chennai en route the final venue in Pollachi, inflated aircraft in tow.
“A balloonist needs a pilot license, like the flyer of any other aircraft. The issuing authorities, stages of examination, and other formalities are the same as what a commerical pilot will have to undergo. The practical test, of course, is different,” explains Benedict Savio, professional balloonist and the man behind the festival.
The balloons themselves demand no less: preparations to bring them into the country have been afoot for months. “The permits needed are the same as those you need to bring in a proper aircraft from another country,” says Benedict, adding, “Each balloon weighs about one and a half tonnes.”
A total of 10 will be present, brought in from countries like the Netherlands, the US, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Spain and France. For some of them, this will be their first time in Tamil Nadu.
Sadly, the balloons will stay tethered to the ground during the Chennai event, for multiple reasons. “When you are flying a hot air balloon, you can only control its altitude, not its direction,” explains Benedict, “So, safety becomes an issue. Getting permission to fly one within city limits is nearly impossible. In Pollachi, visitors can take balloon rides...we have flying permission within the radius of a few kilometres.” In Chennai, however, it will be a spectator event, with a good dose of music. “The balloons will be moving in sync with the tunes,” says Benedict. And there will also be a food court thrown in.
Benedict has every intention of making ballooning a regular activity in the near future, in vicinity of the city. “I am planning to initiate regular rides starting next year, along the Villupuram-Puducherry belt,” he says.
“It won’t be all year round, of course. The season for flying is from November to March.”
