Pilots | David Flockart
David has worked in the Adventure Travel industry for 16 years and has a great range of experiences in the outdoors from rafting the Franklin River in Tasmania to mountaineering in Nepal.
David studied Recreation after leaving school and immediately set the scene for the type of work he likes by working on the beach at Hamilton Island over winter. After 6 months of teaching windsurfing and sailing he moved to the Gippsland Lakes near Bairnsdale, then worked for 4 years teaching outdoor education. Although not as warm as the Whitsunday Islands, days spent rock climbing, kayaking and bushwalking was great fun, and the discipline and challenge to the kids was a great learning environment. David then moved to Peregrine Adventures where he worked for the next 11 years. David organised and worked on Peregrine's adventure products throughout Australia, and also visited Nepal, South America and Thailand.
In 2002 David was working as Project Manager in the Exhibitions and Events industry and was supervising an exhibit with the motto - "A Life Less Ordinary". Since leaving school 25 years ago, David had worked in the outdoors and tourism - exhibitions was a whole new industry with little of the enjoyment of tourism. The idea of a life less ordinary was a strong reminder of more exciting and rewarding work, and David decided to get back into ballooning.
David has been ballooning since 1997 and combines flying in Melbourne and the Yarra Valley with work in our Richmond office.
"A balloon flight is a magical experience for everyone, and for most of our passengers it is a celebration of a special occasion. I really enjoy spending time with our passengers during the flight and at breakfast, and sharing in their enthusiasm."
"On almost every flight I have done the passengers are amazed that flying a balloon can be a full time job. They love the flight so much, and they are envious that we get the chance to fly so often. My favourite time of a flight is the take off, we launch around sunrise and everyone is amazed at the peace and tranquillity as we gently climb into the sky. A balloon moves with the wind, so it is very quiet and gentle as we move across the sky. The view is spectacular with the world laid out neatly below."