Hot Air Balloon to promote University
21 February, 2008
Website: www.nottingham.ac.ukA hot air balloon, which will promote the University of Nottingham, has been launched.
The blue and white balloon, which carries the University’s name made its first appearance in Nottingham last week with a visit to the University Park.
Piloted by Dr Janet Folkes, a university academic, it will be used for promotional flights as well as for university research.
The venture was funded by The University of Nottingham's Annual Fund Grants Programme.
International and Endurance Flying
Dr Folkes, a scientist in the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, is no stranger to international and endurance flying.
She won the 10th America's Challenge gas balloon race in 2005 with her American co-pilot Bill Arras. They flew nearly 1,500 miles from New Mexico to Canada in 46 hours and 14 minutes.
Her passion for flying does not stop there. She holds a private pilots licence for helicopters, hang gliders and paragliders and is an avid skydiver.
She is currently researching aerospace applications in Europe's first state-of-the-art waterjet technologies centre, based at the University.
By editor@nottinghamng9.co.uk.
