Steve Bryant

In 1995 Rupert Stanley and Robert Cross bought a balloon between them and set about getting their PPLs. In need of crew to achieve this it was here Steve was launched into the wide world of ballooning crew.

As Rupert (Steve’s Pilot) had been Chief Observer for a while, it wasn’t long before he got the competition bug, got his own balloon, and started competing. It soon became apparent he was quite good at it. For many years he’s represented the British Team at the European, and World Championships, competing all over the world. This has given Steve huge experience of crewing as far afield as USA, France, Poland, Hungary, Japan, Spain.

With a primary role as driver, Steve has driven to European events, most being a two-day trip with an overnight stop somewhere. The Honda CRV has been perfect for anything that’s been thrown at it – swamps in Hungary, deserts in Spain, boggy verges in Poland – its never got stuck. In fact Steve been on hand to tow many vehicles out of trouble! Having a trailer, however, does mean he has to think twice about trying ‘that single track lane unsuitable for vehicles.’

The USA was a great experience when they hired a 3500 Dodge Ram pickup with a tail-lift for the World Champs, although Japan has to be the most memorable, with virtually all 100 teams hiring the same Toyota vans. The side roads criss-crossing the dykes and paddy fields were 50mm wider than two vans passing. very careful manoeuvring required.

Driving has always been his role and what he enjoys, but needless-to-say he always gets involved with the assembling, rigging, inflating, navigating, finding balloon (never lost one yet) and putting away again after the flight. The early mornings can be a killer, especially in mid-summer, and 40-deg heat makes him wilt!

But without exception Steve finds the people involved are extremely friendly, very helpful and enjoyable to be around. One big happy ballooning family.