EDITOR

Tragedy in Belarus

September 12 is a day that will not be forgotten by the international balloon community. Alan Fraenckel and John Stuart-Jervis were gunned down by a Belarussian military helicopter while they were participating in the Coupe de Gordon Bennett, an international gas balloon race. This senseless and tragic loss of life has brought a great outpouring of grief, disbelief, and outrage from balloonists around the world.

It will take time before we really, if ever, know what happened that fateful day. What we know so far is presented in Tragedy in Belarus on page 14. It has been suggested on the Internet that those attending the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this month wear a red armband in memory of our departed colleagues. I would ask you, our readers, to join in this tribute whenever you fly this month.

Joe Kittinger - Elder Statesman

In early September, James L. Cole, Jr., President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association, wrote to Balloon Life, "It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Colonel Kittinger, whom you nominated, has been selected to receive one of the National Aeronautic Association’s most prestigious and distinguished recognitions, the Elder Statesman of Aviation Award. Selection was made [in late August] by a 39-person committee drawn from virtually all segments of aviation, and subsequently ratified by the NAA Board of Directors."

The award was established in 1954 to honor outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and who have reflected credit upon America and themselves. Each year the NAA solicits nominations and convenes a distinguished committee of august aviation leaders from all segments of the aerospace community to choose worthy recipients.

Our congratulations go to all six of this year’s honorees. For more on Joe Kittinger see Preflight and Balloonmeister.

NPRM 95-11

By the time you read this the comment period for NPRM 95-11, major revision of FAR Part 61, will be approximately half gone. The September issue Balloon Life presented the entire proposed rule, a history of the push for a flight instructor rating for balloons, and some of our thoughts on the new rule. In November we will present Balloon Life’s response to the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposed rule has many significant changes that will impact ballooning. I suggest that you read the document, talk it over with others, and respond in writing, both to the FAA and your elected representatives.

What happened to September?

Hopefully you have received your September issue of Balloon Life before you read this. Although I intentionally held up the September issue of Balloon Life for an extra week, so that we could get the information about NPRM 95-11 in your hands as quickly as possible, something went wrong. What should have taken two days at our print house dragged on for two weeks. I have no explanation as to why the delay. Please accept my apologies for the tardiness in delivery of the September issue.