{"id":2169,"date":"2018-01-26T11:15:41","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T11:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/balloonteam.net\/montgolfier\/?p=2169"},"modified":"2018-02-01T11:23:17","modified_gmt":"2018-02-01T11:23:17","slug":"peter-vizzard-awarded-oam-for-service-to-hot-air-ballooning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/balloonteam.net\/montgolfier\/peter-vizzard-awarded-oam-for-service-to-hot-air-ballooning\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter Vizzard awarded OAM for service to hot air ballooning"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Peter Vizzard started hot\u00a0air ballooning in 1966 there were just 12 balloons flying world-wide \u2013\u00a0now there are more than 12,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Australian balloon pioneer has been recognised on the Australia Day Honours List with an Order of Australia Medal\u00a0for his service to hot air ballooning and tourism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With more than 50 years experience in the skies, Mr Vizzard has plenty of amazing stories to tell.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He won the\u00a0World Hot Air Balloon Championship in\u00a01983 and has flown in more than 30 different countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But as well as the fun side, Mr Vizzard has been involved in creating\u00a0safety regulations through the\u00a0Civil Aviation Safety Authority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s been a real passion of mine,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u201cI helped write regulation so pilots could have the freedom they deserve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt was tough dealing with the bureaucracy, but it is now seen as a legitimate form of aviation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Vizzard founded Balloon Aloft in 1980 before he sold it to retire in 2007. He still flies with Beyond Ballooning, but in more of a mentor role now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Vizzard said receiving an\u00a0OAM was not only an honour, but\u00a0a boost for ballooning in general.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s a great privilege, it\u2019s good for the sport. It means we\u2019ve been accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n