IAN MARTIN has enjoyed the sport of ballooning for over 20 years, during that time he has experienced much of what the sport and the business and promotional side has to offer. Ian was involved in the Richard Branson Global Challenge for four years, spending a lot of time in Marrakech working on the preparation side of the challenge. This included hot air balloon flying for sponsor promotion, and saw Ian joining Richard in flying two hot air balloons out of Marrakech airport.
Involved in the ballooning commercial circuit for many years Ian has worked on many of the well-known special shape balloons. He enjoys the sport side of ballooning and never shies away from a challenge. He is a renowned pilot trainer, successfully grooming trainees to achieve their pilots licence. Away from ballooning he has been in the sales and promotional side of business for most of his career, enabling him to understand the requirements of the sponsor and ensure their aims and ambitions are achieved. A proven media operator, Ian has also been involved in several documentaries and numerous TV and radio interviews. Ian regularly flies abroad in the winter and has spent the last 2 winter seasons flying in Bagan, Burma amongst the ancient 1000 year old Temples and Pagodas.
Email: ian@flyingenterprises.com
DAVID GROOMBRIDGE has over 16 years ballooning experience. He is now serving his sixth year on the committee of the Western Region British Balloon and Airship Club, currently as Membership Secretary and Launch Site Liaison Officer.
At 18 David was the youngest Pilot in the country in 1996, and the youngest person to achieve sponsorship for a corporate balloon contract. He operates the London Camera Exchange contract, which is currently in its ninth year.
As co-founder of Flying Enterprises David has a keen interest in taking the business forward. Demands on business are become greater and greater, and the needs of clients and flying conditions become ever more challenging in terms of the planning, logistics and time-scales involved. These are the main areas in which David is currently involved within the business and he sees a great future for commercial ballooning.
Email: david@flyingenterprises.com
