CLARK FREEPORT – The four-day 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival opened here yesterday with a unique centerpiece: a rehabilitated aircraft that the first airplane to fly Philippine skies in 1911.
Capt. Joi Roa, president of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival Foundation (PIHABH), said the aircraft is also to commemorate the 100th year of aviation in the Philippines.
“We have reconstructed the first aircraft that first flew in the country and it is on display at the festival site. Later, it will be donated to the PAF museum,” he added.
But at dawn yesterday, a total of 29 assorted hot air balloons took center stage as they flew the serene skies of this Freeport.
Earlier, Roa expressed worry about wind velocity at the festival site, as recent wind patterns indicated an average of 10 knots. He noted that no more than eight knots would be ideal for ballooning. Wind velocity at dawn yesterday as reportedly lower than eight knots.
Citing the commemoration of the first aircraft in the country, PIHABF recalled: “One can only imagine the excitement felt by the organizers of the 1911 Manila Carnival when an aerial troop composed of James Mars, Tod Shriver and Thomas Scott Baldwin offered to demonstrate their airplanes during the event.”
“They had just arrived from Hawaii with the Red Devil and Shriver Skylark (airplanes) which, owing to their indomitable spirit and confidence, they had assembled and test flown in front of hundreds of spectators on its first flight,” recalled the foundation in a brochure distributed yesterday to festival guests.
“It was the instant hit of the carnival and the airplane had spread its wings over our islands a mere eight years after the Wright (brothers) flew their aircraft at Kittyhawk,” PIHABF recalled.
The flight of the “Shriver Skylark” was made merely eight years after the Wright brothers flew the first airplanes on Dec. 17, 1903.
The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC), which provided P3.5 million subsidy for the festival, said no less than 29 hot air balloons from various countries are participating this year. Apart from local balloonists, others from Sweden, United States, Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, England, and South Korea have their balloons.
The festival also features parachute jumps by the Philippine Army, ultra light plane exhibitions and competitions, kite flying exhibitions, radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration and paragliding shows. Food and souvenir booths are also aplenty during the four-day fest, organizers also said.
Capt. Joi Roa, president of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival Foundation (PIHABH), said the aircraft is also to commemorate the 100th year of aviation in the Philippines.
“We have reconstructed the first aircraft that first flew in the country and it is on display at the festival site. Later, it will be donated to the PAF museum,” he added.
But at dawn yesterday, a total of 29 assorted hot air balloons took center stage as they flew the serene skies of this Freeport.
Earlier, Roa expressed worry about wind velocity at the festival site, as recent wind patterns indicated an average of 10 knots. He noted that no more than eight knots would be ideal for ballooning. Wind velocity at dawn yesterday as reportedly lower than eight knots.
Citing the commemoration of the first aircraft in the country, PIHABF recalled: “One can only imagine the excitement felt by the organizers of the 1911 Manila Carnival when an aerial troop composed of James Mars, Tod Shriver and Thomas Scott Baldwin offered to demonstrate their airplanes during the event.”
“They had just arrived from Hawaii with the Red Devil and Shriver Skylark (airplanes) which, owing to their indomitable spirit and confidence, they had assembled and test flown in front of hundreds of spectators on its first flight,” recalled the foundation in a brochure distributed yesterday to festival guests.
“It was the instant hit of the carnival and the airplane had spread its wings over our islands a mere eight years after the Wright (brothers) flew their aircraft at Kittyhawk,” PIHABF recalled.
The flight of the “Shriver Skylark” was made merely eight years after the Wright brothers flew the first airplanes on Dec. 17, 1903.
The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC), which provided P3.5 million subsidy for the festival, said no less than 29 hot air balloons from various countries are participating this year. Apart from local balloonists, others from Sweden, United States, Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, England, and South Korea have their balloons.
The festival also features parachute jumps by the Philippine Army, ultra light plane exhibitions and competitions, kite flying exhibitions, radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration and paragliding shows. Food and souvenir booths are also aplenty during the four-day fest, organizers also said.
