Phil Dunnington

10.03.47 – 30.11.21

Phil Dunnington, who passed away in Amman, Jordan at the end of November as a result of contracting Covid, was known internationally as a balloonist, a lynchpin of the British Balloon and Airship Club, as well as a founder of the Bristol Balloon Festival. To others he was a vigorous supporter of sport flying in his role as General Aviation advocate for the Department for Transport and before that, as an active member of the General Aviation Alliance.

But more than that, Phil was a passionate enthusiast for flying in every form. It was nowhere better encapsulated when he and his wife Allie (also an internationally renowned balloon pilot), embarked on a round-the-world trip in their venerable Beechcraft 18, carrying a hot-air balloon in the back. They were able to land and unpack the balloon, flying in locations where nobody has flown a lighter-than-air craft ever before.

Some may remember Phil sharing his memories of their trip with LAA members at the 2018 AGM. Proof indeed that he was very much ‘one of us’. Steve Slater