Taipei, June 22 (CNA) Taiwan's first female hot-air balloon pilot, who recently received her commercial license in the United States, will make her professional debut at the second annual Taiwan Balloon Festival in Taitung County later this month, the county government said Friday.

Wu Chin-yeh, one of five Taiwanese chosen by the county to be trained as a hot-air balloon pilot, said she was proud and honored when she met and discussed her training during a meeting with Taitung County Magistrate Justin Huang earlier the same day.

Wu said she looked forward to showing the beauty of her hometown to visitors by taking them flying in a balloon.

All five new pilots still have to pass the exam to receive a Taiwanese pilot's license, a process expected to be completed by July 3, the county government said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Huang said the county is set to take delivery of two hot-air balloons of its own on June 26 or 27, before the festival opens on June 29.

Following last year's success, Huang promised an even bigger event this time, and he said the county is also planning to establish a pilot training school.

The festival will be held in Luye Township and run through Sep. 2, the county government said.

(By Tyson Lu and Kay Liu)
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