Belgian pilot soars over Cappadocia’s skies in one-person balloon

After years of piloting hot air balloons for tourists in Türkiye’s stunning Cappadocia region, Belgian pilot Geert Van Wolvelaer now takes to the skies solo in his hot-air balloon.

Wolvelaer, 44, first arrived in Nevsehir in 2003 after completing hot-air balloon pilot training in his home country. For years, he guided thousands of tourists over the region’s iconic fairy chimneys and valleys. In 2012, he married in Urgup and settled there, continuing his career until 2023, when he retired from commercial ballooning.

Solo flight into skies

Unable to part with his love for flying, Wolvelaer purchased a one-person hot-air balloon as a hobby. On days he wishes to take flight, he gets support from his assistant Mustafa Gunalp and his children, Jonathan and Jasmin, to prepare the balloon. Once airborne, he enjoys the freedom of solo flight, soaring high above the landscape he has come to call home.

“I couldn’t give up flying,” he told Anadolu Agency (AA). “So, I bought this balloon and continued my flights as a hobby. In commercial flights, we used to fly with 20–25 passengers, answering the same questions and sharing the same stories every day. Flying alone is a completely different feeling. There is no basket full of people—just me and the sky. It’s incredibly relaxing. These flights help me relieve stress.”

Keeping passion alive

Although his flights are recreational, Wolvelaer ensures all safety measures are met. He secures the necessary permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation before each flight and follows strict maintenance routines, inspecting the balloon every 100 hours in the air.

Having previously flown across Europe, he emphasized that nowhere else compares to Cappadocia’s landscape. “I have flown in different countries, but the natural formations here are unique. The valleys, the fairy chimneys—you won’t find them anywhere else. That’s why Cappadocia is famous.”

Family affair in sky

Wolvelaer’s children are fascinated by his flights and often assist in setting up the balloon. “When I fly, they always ask, “Dad, why aren’t we flying too?” They love it and help me every morning. We are now planning to manufacture two-person balloons so I can fly with my wife and kids in the future.”

At altitudes of 300-500 meters, Wolvelaer waves to people below, enjoying the tranquility of flying solo.