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Mark Fraser – Chief Pilot
Mark Fraser has been flying balloons since the ‘eighties when he and his brother Antony launched the Yarra Valley’s first hot air balloon from Tarraford, the Fraser family vineyard. Mark is, without question, the most experienced pilot flying in the Yarra Valley.
He has flown all over Australia in many diverse locations including the Atherton Tablelands, the Goldsborough Valley in Queensland’s tropical far north, the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia and the desert regions of Australia’s vast interior including Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Marree and Lake Ayre.
Mark is Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) endorsed to fly Australia’s largest commercial balloons. He is also CASA endorsed as an Examiner of Commercial Balloon Pilots
He brings a wealth of experience gleaned from his involvement in such varied activities as motorcycle safaris, skydiving, rock climbing, sailing and piloting fixed wing aircraft.
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Ian Robinson – Pilot
Ian Robinson’s passion for ballooning is evident in his career to date. He owns a Kavanagh C-77 balloon, which he flies recreationally and competitively in most Australian states. He was the Victorian State Champion in 1994 and 1995, and competed in two Australian National Championships in Canada.
Not satisfied with just flying balloons, he was a member of the organising committee for the 1990 National Hot Air Balloon Championships in Benalla, Victoria, organise and ran safety seminars for pilots, crew and the general public, and was a Victorian representative on the Australian Ballooning Federation.
Ian is endorsed by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to fly Australia’s largest balloons, and has CASA Balloon Instructor and Authorised Test Officer ratings. He has applied these qualifications to commercial flights in areas as diverse as Alice Springs, North Queensland and the Yarra Valley.
Ron Watson – Pilot
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Ron Watson has been ‘chasing’ balloons for about ten years, co-ordinating the ground crew as Go Wild Ballooning’s Crew Chief who drive passengers and balloon equipment to and from launch and landing sites, refuel and maintain balloon equipment.
Ron has had his Private Fixed Wing Pilot’s Licence since 1979. In 1998 Ron received his Private Balloon Pilot’s Licence and is now fully endorsed by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to fly commercially as a balloon pilot.
Ron has been involved in aviation for over 20 years. He has flown fixed wing aircraft all over Australia having operated passenger flights in many areas. He has flown many passengers to King Island, one of his favourite destinations.