Kirtland kids see Balloon Fiesta participant up close

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  • By 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Children at the Child Development Center were able to interact with a Nelly-B, a balloon piloted by a crew from Belgium.

Peter Van Overwalle and Filip Audenaert are Belgian citizens and balloon pilots licensed and registered with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. They brought their balloon to Kirtland to show the kids and give them a chance to learn about how balloon flies.

"It's an educational experience for the children to see a balloon up close," said Molly Hayes, Airman & Family Readiness Center.

The Nelly-B was manufactured by Cameron Balloons in 2001 and is 30 meters tall and weighs about 350 pounds. Nelly-B and her crew have traveled extensively to participate in balloon events across the globe including stops in China, Germany, France, Thailand and Malaysia. Nelly-B has participated in the Balloon Fiesta since 2001.