Ride The Wind USA To Africa

by Anne Hillerman

Troy Bradley was 14 years old when Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman made the first successful balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. They became his heroes. Now, 14 years later, he was in a balloon with Abruzzo’s son Richard, whom Troy had taught to fly balloons, in an attempt to surpass the records set by Richard’s father.

The 1992 Chrysler Transatlantic Challenge put five teams representing five countries into identical Cameron Roziere balloons for a race across the Atlantic Ocean. The American team, pilots Troy Bradley and Richard Abruzzo and crew chief David Melton did not win the race- they finished fourth. Had the German team not ditched at sea, they might have finished last. Team USA missed Europe entirely, but in doing so became the first balloon to travel from the U.S. to Africa. Along the way, they set 24 other national and world records.

Anne Hillerman, a Santa Fe, New Mexico journalist, has recorded the story of the US team from their selection as pilots, through their preparation leading to the launch, the rigors of the flight, and finally the landing in Morocco. Drawing from the pilots’ journals, fax transmissions, and remembered quotes by the pilots and crew, Hillerman leads us through an exciting chain of events. At the same time, she gives us personal insights into the men who faced the Challenge, helping us to feel as if we know each one of them.

Written in a very readable style, Hillerman has produced a book that is enjoyable for adult readers with a knowledge of ballooning, but also a exciting book for young people. She goes to great pain to define terms unique to ballooning. Every teenager with even a hint of interest in the excitement of ballooning should read this book, as should his parents.

The book is illustrated with black-and-white photographs, many of poor quality, and with maps and graphs. Ancillary information on previous attempts to cross the Atlantic fills out the information so that one goes away with a thorough understanding of the challenge and the Challenge.

Ride The Wind USA To Africa, by Anne Hillerman, 171 pages, $13.95 plus $3.50 S/H, Rio Grande Publishing, 304 Calle Oso, Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 983-5615.

Ron Behrmann’s 1996 Calendars and Stationary

Reviewed by Tom Hamilton

Balloonist generally like to surround themselves with pictures, kickknacks and other colorful icons of the sport. The balloon calendar is certainly one such icon that hangs proudly in homes and offices across the land, and Ron Behrmann’s calendars are some of the best around.

Ron Behrmann, balloon pilot and photographer, is presenting two calendars for 1996. These editions feature a mix of both old and new photographs. To those with a sharp eye, the calendars provide a puzzle or trivia game as well as a wall decoration.

The smaller calendar measures 8-1/2 by 11 inches and opens with the photograph at the top and a calendar with generous boxes to write in important reminders. Ron also offers an oversize 17-inch calendar that rally grabs the eye. The larger size give the viewer a real feeling for the event being pictured. One can’t go wrong with this beauty on the wall.

New for 1996 is a Photo Stationery Set. The package contains 12 blank note cards and 12 sheets of stationary. Each set has three each of four different balloon pictures. The package also contains 24 blank envelopes.

Both calendars and the photo stationary set are available directly from Ron Behrmann Photography, 8405 Monitor Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or through many calendar sales outlets. The small calendar is $7.95 postpaid, large calendar $9.95 postpaid, photo stationary set is $7.95 postpaid. Canada add $2.00 each item, overseas add $4.50 each item.