A crew from Balloon Aloft Canberra wanted a test run for their pilot, and invited the Times along.

It is a bucket list experience everyone should try and certainly a worthwhile one.

Using tablet navigation and a compass, the crew determined a launch north-west of the town.

Company director and flying instructor Hyung Joo Kim (Kim) chose the racecourse as a good place to launch.

The flight gave pilot Jacob Brown some more hours toward his commercial balloon licence.

The crew, all experienced pilots, hope it was the first of many Braidwood flights.

This one ended with a well chosen paddock landing not far from the Araluen Road.