Ballooning passion and air traffic at Farnborough Airshows…an interview with air traffic controller John Baker

Royal Aeronautical Society Podcast · Apr 21, 2026 · 28m

In the second part of his interview, John Baker, shares how a balloon meet sparked his lifelong passion for ballooning and all lighter-than-air flight.

As a dedicated collector of balloon and airship related books and memorabilia, he has a remarkable collection of LP covers and 14 to 15 bookcases devoted to balloons and airships. He serves as an archivist for the British Balloon Museum and Library and the British Balloon and Airship Club, and is frequently consulted on obscure ballooning topics. His enthusiasm has also taken him around the world as part of balloon ground crews and promotional…