Who's Who of Ballooning


APPENDIX4-CF
KENYAN BALLOON HISTORY
1906-1986
  • 1909: The first balloon (hydrogen gas) was introduced to the Nairobi area by W.D. BOYCE, an American newspaper publisher. His primary purpose was to take photographs while tethered in the Rift Valley, but he did make one recorded free-flight in December (see MAIN BODY).

  • 1962: The second balloon (JAMBO, also hydrogen) was first free-flown from Nairobi to the Rift Valley by Anthony SMITH of England, in January.

    ALL FURTHER BALLOONS WERE HOT-AIR

  • 1972: Balloon #3 (a Cameron-84) was introduced to Naivasha early that year by Allen ROOT. The balloon was destroyed in an accident.

  • 1972: Balloon #4 (a Cameron-105) was a replacement for #3 by A.ROOT and was used to establish the first successful Balloon Safari in Kenya (1976, Masai-Mara and Serengeti).

  • 1978: Balloon #5 (5Y-ARU) a Thunder-140) was introduced to the Masai Mara by J-C. LEFAMS (by Air-Libre, a French company as "Kenya Balloons and Safaris").  The Company ceased operations in 1981.

  • 1979: Balloon #6 (Thunder-160) was added by Air-Libre to the Masai Mara. The company was taken over by “Musiara Ltd.” (owner of Governors Camp) in 1982. Chief Pilot was P.LANGFORD.

  • 1979: Balloon #7 ("7-UP") arrived from S. Africa, was flown from Eldorett by Kris KIRBY and F.Barnes, and continued to tour Africa. A hang glider was flown from it by Peter Blinkhorne.

  • 1982: Balloon #8 was added to the successor of Balloon-Safatis Ltd.(now KenyaBalloons).

  • 1983: Balloon #9 (G-BITZ), a Colt-21 Ultra-Light, was introduced to the Nairobi area.  Owner/pilot was F. BARNES.

  • 1983: Balloon #10 (Raven S-60) was introduced to Kichwa-Tembo in December by Robert RECHS for “Adventures Aloft” Kenya Ltd. The company later flew in Amboseli, and was eventually based at Fig-Tree camp.

  • 1984: Balloon #11 was added to Governors Camp in March.
THE FOLLOWING ARE KENYA-DCA LICENSED BALLOON PILOTS:
Ken.# pilot nat. D.O.B. license date / Company loc.
1) DEPLASSE, A.H. FRA 31/12/42 14/12/78 KBS (Ke)
2) LEFAVRAIS, J.C FRA 15/04/52 14/12/78 KBS (Ke)
3) BARNES, Frank ENG 15/10/47 03/10/80 BSL (Gc)
4) WREN, PeterF. ENG -- / -- / -- 27/03/81 BSL (Gc)
5) CHIGNAL,Dudley ENG 21/01/47 08/04/81 BSL (Ke)
6) DllNDASjN.A. KEN 25/08/48 09/04/81 BSL (Ke)
7) lIOUZE,G.R.N. FRA 11/04/49 11/04/81 ? (Gc)
8) HAWKINS, John N.Z 29/11/47 11/09/8   BSL (Ke)
9) ELSON,Graham- ENG 14/05/47 09/02/8 KBS+Transworld (Gc)
l0} DONNELY,Tom ENG 02/02/44 15/02/82 KBS (Gc)
11) LANGFORD, Peter ENG 17/02/29 06/08/82 KBS+? (Gc)
12) RECHS, Robert USA 31/08/35 13/10/83 Adventures Aloft (Kt)


STATUS/DETAILS of Kenya licenses unknown:
ROOT, Alan ENG BSL MOORE, Mike ENG ?
DUNNINGTON, Phil ENG BSL SHORE, Alan ENG BSL
CAMPLIN, Giles ENG BSL CAMPBELL, Jack ENG  
COLEMAN, John ENG KBS LlSSIMORE, Mark ENG BSL
HOLLY, Gordon ENG   BROUGHTON,Tan ENG BSL

ABBREVIATIONS: KBS=Kenya Balloon Safaris; BSL=Balloon Safaris, Ltd.
NOTES:  (Ke)= Keekorok; (Gc)= Govenors Camp; (Kt)= Kichwa Tembo; (Ot)= Other; (Bs)= Buffalo Springs; (Am)= Amboselli; (Sm)= Sambutu.
r: The Aerostat; CAA-files; P.Langford archives.
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