Working Wonders: Captain Andrew Parker, hot air balloon pilot – in pictures
Capt Andrew Parker is a hot air balloon pilot from New Zealand. He flies for Balloon Adventures Dubai at Platinum Heritage Desert Camp. All photos: Ruel Pableo / The National
Cap Parker, 39, has travelled the world in his hot air balloon, notching up 3,000 flights across 87 countries since his first solo flight as a 16-year-old
He started a balloon club when he was 13 and became a balloon pilot three years later, the youngest age at which one can start training
After the training programme he completed the 98 hours required to fly commercially
In Dubai he flies commercial passengers in the desert for an hour over the dunes towards Margam
The rest of Capt Parker's day usually involves overseeing flying operations and generally making sure everything runs smoothly
He has witnessed a dozen in-air marriage proposals, with a 100 per cent acceptance rate
A hot air balloon ride features on many people's bucket list
Capt Parker has flown in countries including France, Afghanistan and Russia and across South America
His favourite country was China where he flew over karst limestone mountains
A balloon pilot has to not only control his or her craft, but also be aware of, and adapt to, changing weather conditions
Capt Parker says his job is pretty unique and he is happy to tell people that they too can become a balloon pilot
He self-funded a project called Flying High for Kids World Balloon Project, where he encouraged underprivileged children to follow their dreams
He has an ongoing project in New Zealand where he visits schools encouraging children to get into science, technology and maths
Capt Parker says it is not always about balloons, but also about sharing his passion and knowledge to inspire children to pursue careers in what they want to do
Capt Parker believes he was one of the lucky ones who was able to follow his dreams and become a balloon pilot
Guests with Balloon Adventure Dubai are also treated with camel rides on a private camp
Capt Parker says it is nice to share his passion for ballooning with others and see the joy it brings to people
He says he would like to take the New Zealand science project to other countries and hopefully one day the UAE
