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Balloon pilot Johann François Ouellette Frève likes to say he acquired his love for ballooning early: His first flight was in his mother’s womb and he’s been hooked ever since.
Now 30, Ouellette Frève started helping his parents, who are both hot air balloon pilots, when he was very young and started training to pilot the propane-fuelled craft at 16.
He finally bought his first craft six years ago, naming it Freedom, to match the feeling he says ballooning provides.
Ouellette Frève has since flown hot air balloons all over North America, and has risen to altitudes of 7,000 feet.
Ballooning is in his blood, and Ouellette-Frève says the freedom he feels when flying is like none other.
“When you experience a flight it’s like a drug,” he said.
His mother, Renée Ouellette, is happy to see that her son has took after the family tradition.
“My son likes hot air ballooning for the same reasons as me,” she said. “Because when you’re flying it’s quiet and because you have a passion.”
Ouellette says she was the first woman to fly a hot air balloon in Quebec. She started flying hot air balloons in 1979 because her original dream to fly helicopters didn’t pan out.
Both of Ouellette Frève’s parents were at the Gatineau fairgrounds early Friday morning to help him get Freedom off the ground.
Dozens of balloons of all shapes will be on display over the weekend at the 29th Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, the world’s fifth-largest balloonfest, at Le Baie Park in Gatineau. On Friday morning, a clown-shaped balloon and a bug with a cape could be seen.
You can catch a ride on a balloon at the festival, with flights at around 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The cost is $219 per person. Event organizers said you should arrive at least one hour before your flight at the Hot Air balloon rides booth at Parc de la Baie.
Flights usually last between about 20 and 90 minutes, depending on the wind direction and speed.
The final landing place is also up to where the wind carries you. A “chase team” will follow your balloon and take you back to the launch site no matter where you end up. A little mystery can keep things exciting. Added bonus, you can toast some Champagne to celebrate your safe landing.
On Friday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 8:40 p.m. there will be special night hot air balloon shows. Friday’s will be dedicated to “special shapes,” and Sunday’s the show will be designed around the Beatles’ songs.
Freedom’s hot air balloon team hang out in her basket.
A clown shaped hot air balloon starts to grow and take shape at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival in the early morning hours of Friday Sept. 2, 2016.
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Now 30, Ouellette Frève started helping his parents, who are both hot air balloon pilots, when he was very young and started training to pilot the propane-fuelled craft at 16.
He finally bought his first craft six years ago, naming it Freedom, to match the feeling he says ballooning provides.
Ouellette Frève has since flown hot air balloons all over North America, and has risen to altitudes of 7,000 feet.
Ballooning is in his blood, and Ouellette-Frève says the freedom he feels when flying is like none other.
“When you experience a flight it’s like a drug,” he said.
His mother, Renée Ouellette, is happy to see that her son has took after the family tradition.
“My son likes hot air ballooning for the same reasons as me,” she said. “Because when you’re flying it’s quiet and because you have a passion.”
Ouellette says she was the first woman to fly a hot air balloon in Quebec. She started flying hot air balloons in 1979 because her original dream to fly helicopters didn’t pan out.
Both of Ouellette Frève’s parents were at the Gatineau fairgrounds early Friday morning to help him get Freedom off the ground.
Dozens of balloons of all shapes will be on display over the weekend at the 29th Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, the world’s fifth-largest balloonfest, at Le Baie Park in Gatineau. On Friday morning, a clown-shaped balloon and a bug with a cape could be seen.
You can catch a ride on a balloon at the festival, with flights at around 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The cost is $219 per person. Event organizers said you should arrive at least one hour before your flight at the Hot Air balloon rides booth at Parc de la Baie.
Flights usually last between about 20 and 90 minutes, depending on the wind direction and speed.
The final landing place is also up to where the wind carries you. A “chase team” will follow your balloon and take you back to the launch site no matter where you end up. A little mystery can keep things exciting. Added bonus, you can toast some Champagne to celebrate your safe landing.
On Friday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 8:40 p.m. there will be special night hot air balloon shows. Friday’s will be dedicated to “special shapes,” and Sunday’s the show will be designed around the Beatles’ songs.
Freedom’s hot air balloon team hang out in her basket.
A clown shaped hot air balloon starts to grow and take shape at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival in the early morning hours of Friday Sept. 2, 2016.
查看原文...
