I started flying here for Goreme Balloons on 1st July 2005 & apart from holidays have remained here ever since.

Where else have you flown hot-air balloons ?

I have flown over all sorts of places, from the Norwegian Artic to the Sahara desert in Tunisia, the Jungles & palm oil plantations of Malaysia. Chateaux in France, the wildlife of the wetlands of Prussia (Germany). The rice paddy’s of Korea & maize fields of Chile.

Where do you next do you want to go & fly balloons ?

I am hoping to find time during my winter holiday to visit Japan & fly over the countryside there. It really helps to understand people if you have visited & flown over their country even if you cant understand their language.

How do you like flying in Cappadocia ?

It is the best place I have ever flown, the landscape is astounding & so varied with each valley having its own special character & shapes to its fairy chimneys. As a pilot I never tire of it variations in lighting direction & height mean even familiar places look different every day. I am very lucky to have a job that is also my passion & the early morning flight is invariably the highlight of my day.

How does Cappadocia look from a balloon ?

Words cant really do justice to the breathtaking beauty of the area, even photographs don’t give the full majesty of floating amongst, often only a few metres from, the fairy chimneys & valley walls. Then the contrast of climbing several hundred metres higher to see the sun rise over Aktepe & to look down at rocks, valleys, fields & villages from above. It really is fantastic that’s all I can say.

Is it safe to fly in a balloon ?

The weather here is also very good most of the time with light winds ensuring the landing itself is usually very gentle. However provided you pay attention to the pilots briefing on how to stand & what to expect of the landing it is very safe even on the odd occasion the wind increases to give a fast landing.

What about people who are afraid of heights, can they enjoy flying in a balloon ?

Vertigo, the fear of heights is as much an optical illusion as anything else, it is the vertical line from the place one stands down to the bottom of cliff etc. that gives this feeling. When flying in a balloon no such connection exists from the basket to the ground so one doesn’t get that feeling. In fact although I don’t suffer from vertigo one of the pilots who taught me to fly did, but it never effected him when he flew only when he was standing in a high place.

What do people say after a balloon flight ?

It never fails to amaze me how many people get so excited at flying in the balloon & say it is the best thing they have done on their holiday. The singular most popular thing they say though is can I take a photograph with you ? Something I of course always accept

J.J.Timothy Cooke