Mark Pugh

WOW, front page in my local paper!

Flying above Broadway Tower on the edge of the Cotswolds. I took this picture in, to the tower the following day and the guy on the entrance had seen me the day before and was very happy to get the A4 photo for free.

From a distance I used airband radio on the balloon channel to request flying closer. The Virgin Hot Air pilot was very happy for me to circle the balloon but did ask that we never fly above him, because they have a huge "Black spot" where they can't see upwards. I landed with him and swopped email address's with him and his passengers to send photos to each other.

The editor for my local paper saw a picture I put on Facebook of Stratford-upon-Avon from the air and asked me if he could use it in the paper. I of course agreed and he asked me what other local landmarks I had he might be able to use. After I sent him about 20 pictures he also then sent me a few questions that I answered in full. Next edition I was front page and centre spread!

Used a double selfie stick for this photo (screen grab from video clip).