RAAF hot air balloons visits schools

In the lead up to the Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show at RAAF Williams – Point Cook, one of Air Force’s hot air balloon teams visited schools in regional Victoria giving the students an up close look at one of the oldest forms of aviation.

The Air Show will commemorate a significant moment in Australia’s military aviation history when Lieutenant Eric Harrison, an aviation instructor with the Central Flying School, made Australia’s first military flight, taking off from RAAF Williams – Point Cook in a Bristol Boxkite on 1 March 1914.

The Royal Australian Air Force has two balloons based in Canberra, operated by Central Flying School. The balloons often travel to regional or remote communities providing an opportunity for members of the community to meet Air Force personnel, introduce young people to aviation and inspire an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force.

The Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show takes place on 1 and 2 March 2014.