World's First Glass-bottomed Air Balloon By Christian Brown

The traditional wicker basket, which carries up to two passengers and two pilots who stand on just two-inch thick glass, was launched at the start of the 2010 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The fiesta, Europe's biggest balloon festival, has weird and wonderful shapes filling the skies to mark the golden jubilee of modern hot air ballooning. More than half a million people are expected to attend the four-day festival, held on a country estate, which involves some 150 balloons from around the world.
A giant motorbike with a helmeted rider on top, a light bulb, a dog, a monster, a Jaguar car, squares, a huge wine box and a green dragon will also slowly emerge to fill the skyline. The glass bottom basket was the brainchild of pilot Christian Brown, who despite having 18 years experience flying balloons, admitted the flight was a "terrifying experience". It is hoped similar balloons will be more widely available next year.