Gusty conditions meant the RAAF Hot Air Balloon could not conduct tethered flights as planned from Taylor Oval, but scores of locals still got the chance to enter the basket and turn on its burners. 

Flight Lieutenant Patricia Evans said the idea of the balloon tour was to engage and inspire country communities. 

“In a perfect world we would tether the balloon and go up 25 metres so people can experience flight without engines or wings and experience the wonder of aviation,” Flt Lt Evans said. 

Instead Squadron Leader Damien Gilchrist supervised as children got to don protective gloves and blast the gas burners that normally inflate the balloon, sending a jet of flame into the air.

The travelling contingent of RAAF personnel also included a group from the RAAF Directorate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. 

Senior indigenous recruitment officer Brett West said between 100 and 150 Aboriginal people served in the RAAF. The Yamatji man from WA said it was a figure the Air Force aimed to increase threefold over coming years. 

“I signed up as a young indigenous kid from the bush and here I am 28 years later having had a diverse career in which I’ve done everything from teaching to working in the Air Force bomb squad,” Warrant Officer West said. “I guess my message is that it is possible.” 

A flight was possible yesterday morning with Sqn Ldr Gilchrist piloting the balloon above Moree. 

The balloon flew for about one hour and made two landings, one in town and another 35 kilometres south in a cotton crop.