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UK's First Female Balloon Examiner Inspires Women in Aviation

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Allie Dunnington is the United Kingdom’s first female hot-air balloon flight examiner.
She has flown in 124 countries and aims to reach 150.
Her first flight occurred in Myanmar in 2002, where she met Phil who inspired passion for ballooning.
Phil died in 2021 from health complications.
Dunnington founded the Women’s Balloon Event in 2010 to encourage women in aviation and continues to pursue her record attempt in Phil's memory.

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Story summary

Allie Dunnington is the United Kingdom’s first female hot-air balloon flight examiner.
She has flown in 124 countries and aims to reach 150.
Her first flight occurred in Myanmar in 2002, where she met Phil who inspired passion for ballooning.
Phil died in 2021 from health complications.
Dunnington founded the Women’s Balloon Event in 2010 to encourage women in aviation and continues to pursue her record attempt in Phil's memory.