16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Set

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

This year marks the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) to be held at Clark Special Economic Zone, Angeles City in Pampanga, Philippines from February 10 to February 13, 2011.

Having begun in 1994, the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival is held every year mostly in February at the Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. It is considered to be the country’s biggest aviation sports event to date.

PIHABF 2011
PIHABF 2010

The main attraction is the flight of different and gigantic hot air balloons from participants and balloon enthusiasts from all over the globe. More than a hundred balloon pilots launch their hot air baloons in the morning and maneuver them through the day within the four day hot air balloon event.

Other events include skydiving, flag jumps, flying and plane exhibitions, aerobatics. This year, 27 balloons will participate to celebrate the centennial of the first airplane flight in the country.

Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Schedule from http://www.philballoonfest.net/ (as of january 2011; subject to change without prior notice)

FIRST FIESTA DAY (February 10 – Thursday)
Philippine Army Flag Jump 5:00-5:45AM
Hot Air Balloon Flights 5:45-7:00AM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:45-7:30AM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation.. 7:30-8:30AM
Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Show 8:30-9:00AM
AFP / Civilian Sky Diving Exhibition 9:00-9:30AM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 9:30-10:00AM
AOPA-P Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition 10:00-11:30AM
KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition 11:30-12:00NN
Airlink/WCC/Omni/PPA/CIA/Orient flyby 12:00-12:30PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:30-1:00PM
Sky Diving Exhibition 1:00-1:30PM
Rolf Dunder ‘Fascination’ Airplane vs. Car Race 1:30-2:00PM
AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 2:00-3:00PM
FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration 3:00-3:30PM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights 3:30-4:00PM
Philippine Air Force Silent Drill and SPOW Sniffing Dog Exhb 4:00-4:30PM
Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Show 4:30-5:00PM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In 5:30-6:00PM
SECOND FIESTA DAY (February 11 – Friday)
Philippine Army Flag Jump 5:00-5:45AM
Hot Air Balloon Flights 5:45-7:00AM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:45-7:30AM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation… 7:30-8:30AM
Bill Wright/Meynard Halili/Les Vorosmarthy Aerobatic Show 8:30-9:00AM
Skydiving Exhibition 9:00-9:30AM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 9:30-10:00AM
Wings Over Asia / AOPA-P Aircraft Balloon Bursting Comp 10:00-11:00AM
KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition 11:00-11:30AM
WCC/Aviatour/Omni/PPA/Orient flyby 11:30-12:00NN
German Aerobatic Glider Flight 12:00-1:00PM
Civilian Sky Diving Exhibition 1:00-1:30PM
Jet Turbine Radio-controlled Modeller Demos 1:30-2:00PM
AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 2:00-3:00PM
Wings Over Asia Aviators Social Gathering 2:30-5:00PM
Car Drifting Display 3:00-3:30PM
FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration 3:30-4:00PM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights 4:00-4:30PM
Bill Wright/Meynard Halili/Les Vorosmarthy Aerobatic Show 4:30-5:00PM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In 5:30-6:00PM
THIRD FIESTA DAY (February 12 – Saturday)
Philippine Army Flag Jump 5:00-5:45AM
Hot Air Balloon Flights 5:45-7:00AM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:45-7:30AM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation… 7:30-8:00AM
Skydiving Exhibition 8:00-8:30AM
Jet Turbine Radio-controlled Modeller Demos 8:30-9:00AM
Bill Wright/Meynard Halili/Les Vorosmarthy Aerobatic Show 9:00-9:45AM
Helicopter Flight Display 9:45-10:30AM
Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration 10:30-11:00AM
Wings Over Asia / AOPA- P Aircraft Balloon Bursting Comp 11:00-12:00NN
WCC/Aviatour/Omni/PPA/CIA/Orient flyby 12:00-12:30PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:30-1:00PM
German Aerobatic Glider Flight 1:00-1:30PM
KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition 1:30-2:00PM
Wings Over Asia / AOPA- P Aircraft Balloon Bursting Comp 2:00-2:45PM
Sky Diving Exhibition 2:45-3:15PM
CIAC Fire-fighting Demonstration 3:15-3:45PM
Bill Wright/Meynard Halili/Les Vorosmarthy Aerobatic Show 3:45-4:30PM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights 4:30-5:00PM
FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration 5:00-5:30PM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:30-6:00PM
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow 6:00-6:30PM
FOURTH FIESTA DAY (February 13 – Sunday)
Philippine Army Flag Jump 5:20-5:30AM
Hot Air Balloon Flights 5:30-7:00AM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 7:00-7:30AM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation… 7:30-8:00AM
Civilian Skydiving Exhibition 8:00-8:30AM
Meynard Halili/Bill Wright Aerobatic Show 8:30-9:15AM
Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demonstration 9:15-10:00AM
Wings Over Asia / AOPA- P Aircraft Balloon Bursting Comp 10:00-11:00AM
CIAC Fire-fighting Demonstration 11:00-12:00NN
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:00-12:30PM
Car Drifting Demonstration 12:30-1:00PM
WCC/Aviatour/Omni/PPA/Orient flyby 1:00-1:30PM
KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition 1:30-2:30PM
AFP / Civilian Sky Diving Exhibition 3:00-3:30PM
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights 3:30-4:00PM
CareJet Westwind Fly-By 4:00-4:15PM
Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Show 4:15-5:00PM
RP/Malaysian/UK Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Valentines Night Glow 5:30-7:30PM
Map - Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Map - Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Going to Clark Freeport Zone by Car (More maps here http://www.philballoonfest.net/about/maps.html)

Also known as the Clark Special Economic Zone, take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit to Dau, Mabalacat. Turn left to Angeles City after the exit. Make a right turn to the Clark Freeport Zone. Proceed along Manuel Roxas Highway and turn right. You should reach the place in 2 hrs from Manila, Philippines.

Warning: With an event as big as the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, expect some traffic.

Site Plan

Site Plan - Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Site Plan - Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Flight Tours, Schedule, & Rate – Hot Air Balloon Ride

Flight Tour, Schedule, & Rate - Hot Air Balloon Ride
Flight Tour, Schedule, & Rate - Hot Air Balloon Ride

FAQ from http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/

Frequently Answered Questions

Q. Where is the exact event site?
A. Air Force City, Clark Freeport, Angeles City in Pampanga.

Q. How much is the entrance fee?

A. PhP150 per person. These tickets are available at the gate.

UKG @ Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
UKG @ Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010

Q. Can I ride the balloons?

A. Yes, we charge a minimum fee of US$150 per person to ride the balloon. This is on a first-come-first-served basis. Go directly to the Information Booth upon arrival to book yourself a ride.

Q. What hotels are near the venue?

A. The event site is fairly near all the hotels in and around Clark. Please visit our Clark Hotels Web Page for a hotel booking. Book now so you don’t miss-out. There are limited rooms available for this event.

Q. Are we sure to see the balloons everyday?

A. Balloon inflation is very much dependent on wind conditions. Calm winds guarantee great flights. The organizers reserve the right to cancel any activity due to bad wind conditions. For safety reasons, balloonists generally prefer for the the winds to be less than 10 mph and the clouds to be at least 2,000 feet above the ground.

Q. Are refreshments available on the grounds?

A. Yes. Food booths are present near the show line, on the southeast side of the balloon fiesta site. A bazaar is also set up near the entrance gate, and also on the northwest part of the grounds, near the aircraft ramp
Q. Where can I park?

A. Ample parking is available near the entrance gate. Road signs will direct you to the parking lots, where marshals will guide you to a suitable space. A parking fee is charged.
Q. What is a ramp tour?

A. The balloon fiesta offers a ramp tour that allows you to walk around the active flight line and interact with aircraft pilots and ground crew.

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
Sago @ the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010

Check out my Day 01 of last year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

For further inquiries on 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), check the websites and links indicated above or call: (045)499-0695 or (045)499-1179. I suggest you go on the first day (February 10) in Clark for it is the best day. 🙂

13 thoughts on “16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Set

  1. Ay sayang we missed the first day…my kids would love to see the hot air balloons and they even make a lot of drawings of the balloons…see you there on Sunday!!! Yahoooooo!!!^-^

  2. Hello,

    Do you know how to get to clark freeport zone by commuting?

    I’m from Cavite and I’m not sure if I can take the Victory Liner bus in Pasay going to Olongapo. Do you know any bus lines that can drop me off to Clark?

    I hope you can help me out on this. I’ve been wanting to go to this event since I was in 2nd yr college. =p

    Big thanks =]

  3. @Aimee – sorry, I haven’t tries commuting to Clark. I went there on car.

    Surely there is a way; Maybe you can research on it by starting here => http://travel-on-a-shoe-string.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-it-yourself-how-to-commute-from_1608.html

    It says:

    MANILA TO CLARK FREE ZONE

    To Pampanga, from Cubao:
    Bus lines: Victory Liner, Partas, Dagupan Bus, Philippine Rabbit, Saulog
    Travel time: 1 1/2 hours
    Fare: P160 to P180

    Get down in Dau and take a jeep or tricycle to SM clark. Ask the driver to drop you off at the shuttle terminal to Clark.

  4. nakakainis, dumating kami sat morning feb 12 nadeflate na yung mga baloons, so para di sayang kasi we paid 150.00 each wait kami until afternoon, around 6pm nakainflate na yung iba pero di naman nila pinalipad without explaining why hanggang one by one nadeflate rin, sayang dami pa naman talaga tao, HARANG kayo, grabe! ilang milyon naman kinita nyo para don at sobrang hirap sa parking nyo, bawat galaw pera!

  5. @claire diaz Everyone paid P150, that’s the entrance fee so not just you. I was there last Saturday and watched the balloon fly from 6 to around 8 AM, na-late pa nga ng flight e. You came in late so that’s not the event’s fault. Ayun na nga yung schedule sa taas e. They’re not supposed to fly at 6 PM, that’s called ‘night glow’ where they light up the balloons with music. Tingnan mo schedule next time ha? Bago ka mag-reklamo. And of course there’s gonna be a lot of people, it’s a festival what did you expect? Ano ka special?

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