| Description: | First Encounter with Balloons - Jennifer d’Alton introduces herself as the director of BBM&L and expresses excitement about meeting Pete Bish, also a Director of the BBM&L, in Weybridge.
- Pete Bish recalls his first sighting of balloons at the Dunstable Air Show and Balloon Meet in August 1967.
- Pete describes the balloons he saw: Jambo, Bristol Belle, Gerry Turnbull's Omega gas balloon, and Don Piccard's Golden Bear.
- Pete mentions that the event was organized by the Dunstable Dining Club, a group of glider pilots.
Early Interest in Balloons - Jennifer asks Pete when he first developed a strong interest in balloons.
- Pete recounts attending the Easter meet in 1970, sponsored by the Observer, at Dunstable and Woburn Abbey.
- Pete and Phil Dunnington were the only two who attended the briefing on the second day, and Pete flew with the Edinburgh University group.
Meeting Phil Dunnington and Early Career - Jennifer asks about Pete's relationship with Phil Dunnington.
- Pete explains that they were schoolmates at Windsor Grammar and shared a passion for spotting airplanes.
- Pete describes his early career in air traffic control, starting as an air traffic control assistant at West Drayton in October 1967.
- He details his training and assignments in different regions of the UK, including Prestwick, Manchester Airport, and the Royal Radar Establishment at Persia.
Experiences with Ballooning and Air Traffic Control - Pete shares his experiences of aerial hitchhiking and visiting Glasgow to get back to Heathrow.
- Pete recalls meeting John Baker at the Nationals at Castle Howard the year before the World Championships.
- Pete describes giving John Baker his first balloon flight and the challenges of a doghouse landing where you ended up underneath the upside-down basket which had no poles to keep the burner up.
Overview The conversation details the formation and activities of the Dante ballooning group, led by Phil, which co-opted 11 members, including John Collier and Alec Jenkinson. They ordered a balloon by December 1971 and organized the first Icicle Meet in January 1973. Alec discovered the Marsh Benham launch site. Zebedee, a balloon repair business, originated from a damaged balloon. The British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) was also discussed, with Pete Bish's involvement in photography and museum activities. The Balloon Museum's growth and Pete Bish's personal ballooning experiences, including a surprise 50th birthday flight, were highlighted. Formation of Dante and Early Ballooning Experiences - Pete Bish recounts the formation of Dante in April 1971, co-opting 11 members, including John Collier from air traffic.
- Phil was a key influencer in forming Dante, with many members introduced by him from BOAC or Bristol University.
- By December 1971, the group had ordered a balloon and took delivery, with Don Cameron flying it from a pub in Oxfordshire.
- Jennifer inquiries about Pete Bish's parents' reaction to his ballooning activities, to which Pete Bish responds that they were apprehensive but trusting.
Parental Reactions and Early Balloon Flights - Pete Bish's parents were apprehensive about his ballooning activities but were very trusting, allowing him to hitchhike around the UK.
- Pete Bish's parents never flew in an airplane but did take a balloon flight with him in the Concorde balloon from Newbury.
- Alec was a great help in training several people until he developed MS and had to stop.
The Icicle Meet and Marsh Benham Launch Site - The Icicle Meet, started by the Dante Group, was organized by Phil, with Alec discovering the Marsh Benham launch site.
- The first Icicle Meet in January 1973 had about 10-15 balloons, including Franco Segre, an Italian balloonist, and Roger Barrett practicing for World Championships.
- Phil organized the 1974 meet, and by 1975, he was on an overseas posting with BOAC, and Pete Bish took over the organization. Zebedee and Balloon Repairs
- Zebedee, known for mending torn balloons, started when Alec and Kevin Meehan damaged Dante on a training flight.
- The repairs were done at Phil's parents' flat in Windsor, using a domestic sewing machine and thread.
Involvement with the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) - Pete Bish joined the BBAC early on in his ballooning career, drawn in by his
interest in photography. - He submitted black and white pictures to Aerostat, which helped him get
more involved with the BBAC.
The British Balloon Museum and Personal Contributions - Pete Bish became chairman of the BBAC during a quieter period of the museum, finding and acquiring balloons and baskets.
- The museum exhibition at Newbury was a significant event, with low attendance at the pub meetings.
- Noel Lewis, a regular attendee, brought his balloon, Godolphin, to various events, and Godolphin 1 was given to the museum.
- The Balloon Museum has grown from strength to strength, with Pete Bish's contributions and the acquisition of a barn for storage.
Personal Achievements and Balloon Ownership - Pete Bish bought a house with a barn, which the museum used for storage, and bought a forklift truck to lift the balloons.
- Jennifer recalls Pete Bish's 50th birthday party, where Elaine presented him with a balloon she made without his knowledge.
- Pete Bish also owns a Viva 65 balloon with the registration G BISH, which he bought during a period when Viva 65s were popular.
Journey Through 100 Countries in Balloons - Pete Bish clarifies that he has visited 45 countries in balloons and 195 countries overall.
- Rwanda was Pete Bish's 100th country with a balloon, achieved last November (2025).
- Pete Bish mentions their enthusiasm for collecting experiences and traveling globally.
The Worst Flight Experience - Jennifer asks about Pete Bish's worst and scariest flight.
- Pete Bish recounts a flight in a one-man balloon near Oswestry where they experienced high speeds and encountered power wires.
- Despite knowing the rules, Pete Bish did not dump the balloon in time, leading to a hard landing and minor injuries.
Memorable and Fantastic Flights - Jennifer inquires if there have been any fantastic flights in Pete Bish's experience.
- Pete Bish shares that many flights have been enjoyable, especially when flying with enthusiastic first-timers.
- Pete Bish recalls a memorable flight in 1990 during the Cameron expedition to the Soviet Union.
- The flight involved flying over the Pushkin airfield, an unexpected and exciting experience for Pete Bish.
Final Thoughts and Gratitude - Jennifer thanks Pete Bish for sharing their experiences and expresses interest in future conversations.
- Pete Bish acknowledges Jennifer's questions and appreciation.
- The conversation concludes with mutual gratitude and a positive note.
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