The Annangrove chief pilot first brought hot-air ballooning to Sydney in 1993, and now has ventured into the north-west.

Mr Allen said that moving his business from Parramatta in February was one of the best decisions he had ever made.

``Business has increased by 10 to 15 per cent in the past year,'' he said. ``Rather than holidaying overseas, people are staying closer to home. It's a bit of a holiday in itself a different view and experience.''

Mr Allen and his wife Clare saved up and launched Cloud 9 Balloon Flights (the name designed to evoke a ``euphoric feeling of being on cloud nine, of floating'') 16 years ago, and juggle 3am starts with raising their two children.

Flights take off from more than 12 locations around The Hills and the Hawkesbury.

``I couldn't see myself doing anything else besides being a hero of the skies,'' the friendly Mr Allen joked.

``I couldn't sit in an office all day and, really, what job on Earth is better than this?''

The Allens have balloons suitable for groups of 12 or 18, as well as a new cosy option for couples, popular for proposals.

Mr Allen boasts of 15 engagements in the past four months.

``It really is a romantic adventure for them, but sometimes I feel like the third wheel,'' Mr Allen said, laughing.

``Other times I think: Wow, you should have practised that speech a little more.

``They get so nervous and I've had to nudge them to get down on bended knee!''

Mr Allen said the popularity of hot-air ballooning lay in its old-world charm.

``It's the first thing that man flew and it hasn't really changed, although the technology is far more advanced,'' he said. ``You're not sure what to expect with bungy jumping or parachuting, but ballooning is the other end of the spectrum. It's not thrill-seeking, but it's thrilling and relaxing.''