Royal Aero Club Top Honour For Ben, 15

Being awarded a top honour by the Royal Aero Club is an incredible achievement but to be honoured at the age of just fifteen is unique.

Ben Alford is 15 and has been flying radio controlled model hot air balloons for three years. He  makes his own excellent quality baskets and envelopes for customers in the UK and abroad and promotes ballooning by giving talks and demonstrations.  His best achievement so far was winning a Bronze medal flying the Exclusive Ballooning model at the European Championships in Germany in 2009.  He is also a competent crew member for full size balloons, including crewing at last years British National Championships with cheif pilot (and uncle) Andrew Holly.

Breitling decided to offer a trophy to the Royal Aero Club rewarding a young person or group of people who have made a remarkable contribution to aviation.  Breitling commissioned "The Original Design Partnership" to create The President's Breitling Trophy which evokes characteristics typical of aviation such as the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 turbine.  In keeping with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, each fin of the trophy has been adorned with an engraved pictogram of each of the 12 recognised aeronautic activities, from aerobatics to ballooning.

Pictures: Claire Alford