Before any of our Central London Hot Air Balloon Flights can go ahead, we have to notify Air Traffic Control and the Metropolitan Police and their security services to get clearance to fly. So Chief pilot Kim Hull couldn't resist asking two passing police motorcyclists who had stopped to watch the take off to come forward and pose in front of our balloon just before take-off at 5.30am this morning from Central London. "It was a split second thought of a photo opportunity" said ex motorcyclist Kim. "They briskly drove up to the inflated balloon on my signal in very "police formation" style . After the balloon took off our ground crew had difficulty getting away to follow the balloon because of their interest in our activity and the usual "what happens" when you land questions".