Meet the most elegant balloon pilot Jolanta: there were people who, seeing me, asked where their pilot was

– Tell us, how was your passion for flying born?

– It happened more than twenty years ago. At the time, he was working as an architect, raising two young children, and had many responsibilities. Life, while beautiful, became very monotonous at some point. I met the company, they were free-spirited people who flew in big colored balloons … Like a fairy tale about everyday life!

So in 1997, we went to a balloon festival in Sigulda, Latvia. The first flight, the general atmosphere of the festival, left an indelible mark on me. That dawn, the rising sun, many colored balloons, gentle winds, amazing people … Observing nature awake from a bird’s eye view reveals a new perspective on every patch of the earth.

– And when did you decide that you wanted to manage it yourself?

– It all happened very quickly. Half a year after the first flight, he already had a balloon pilot license. It was not difficult for me.

– Do many women who operate balloons agree?

– At the time I started flying, there were maybe 3-4 pilots in Lithuania, and there are currently about 10 of them (maybe a little more, I don’t have exact data). Additionally, many girls and women participate as team members. Usually, balloons become a passion for the whole family or circle of friends.

– Was it that someone was surprised by your hobby like this?

– It has happened several times that people who, perhaps a little more worried before the flight, saw me and asked me: where is our pilot? (Laughter.) Or, when my colleagues and I flew into then-Ambassador Metis Laurinkas, the Georgian pilot did not immediately agree to hand over the pilot. I watched suspiciously throughout the flight. I think today we are used to those things.

– Does it take a lot of physical force to lift the balloon into the sky and control it?

– It is not difficult for a person of normal physical shape, whether man or woman, to lift a balloon into the sky. Unloading and packing the balloon takes the most effort, but the whole team does it, not one person. Typically, a team consists of a driver and three team members.

– Which stage is the most difficult: take off, flight or landing? Why?

– The hardest thing is landing. Before taking off, the pilot always has a choice: to fly or not to fly, depending on weather conditions, well-being and experience. When the balloon is released, there is no such option and the weather conditions may have changed. Of course, the more experienced a pilot is, the more he sees and feels what is happening and the better he can anticipate the next steps. Perhaps the most difficult descents occur in competitions when there is a stronger wind, but still it always descends.

– Was there an emergency?

– Probably each pilot has a story, a “more fun” experience, thanks to which it has been multiplied by ten. Maniškė was in Switzerland, in one of the mountain towns where a balloon festival was held in winter. The wind intensified during the flight, wind eddies formed between the mountains, so my colleague and I still could not land properly. Then I concentrated and took responsibility for the landing phase. We landed on a deer farm. Of course, we tried to get out of that area as soon as possible before the police arrived. Today, I see this experience in a positive light. In fact, it was a very fun landing.

– Did you fly a hot air balloon not only in Lithuania, but also abroad?

– I have piloted in Switzerland, France, Georgia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, southern Italy, etc. By the way, with more free time, you can travel the world and participate in parties or balloon contests. This is a great party. Often the pilot leaves flies like this.

– As a pilot, do you have your own distinctive drawing?

– I always liked (and still like) coming to the flight with interesting clothes, for example, adjusting the long-sleeved shoes to the pilot’s clothes, dressing according to the theme of the event. I have even flown in a casual dress. (Smiles.) It’s fun when you can create a good mood for those who fly together or just come to admire the balloon launch. A year ago I was chosen the most elegant pilot.

– What do you consider to be your most important achievement in aviation?

– I am very happy to be one of the pioneers of the Aviation Center. We created this center with like-minded enthusiasts, but over the decades we have become the largest hot air balloon company in the Baltic countries. We used to have just one “old” balloon, and now we have over ten big, beautiful, modern balloons.

– What time of year do you like to fly in a hot air balloon?

– The most beautiful thing for me to fly in autumn: nature just explodes with colors. Unfortunately, there is currently little time left for fall flights. My creative work is the design and implementation of the Christmas tree, the space of the city and the decoration of streets, and at the moment it is a year of work for us.

– In which countries would you dream of flying in a hot air balloon?

– It would be fun to fly in Asia, perhaps, in Myanmar over monasteries.