Many years ago when I was in college, the joke course for "easy" credit was basket weaving. Little did I know then that one day I would place my life in the hands of a basket weaver.
Since 1783, the basket has played an important role in ballooning. Baskets built by the balloon manufacturers are works of art that have won design awards and have been displayed in museums. They provide a secure place for the aeronaut and passengers from which to view a world below.
Designed to withstand hard abuse, they are the visually romantic part of ballooning, a throwback to ballooning’s origins. Properly taken care of, they will outlast many envelopes. As part of Balloon Life’s Special Report on baskets we offer tips on taking care of this second most expensive part of a balloon system with Care and Feeding of Your Wicker Basket beginning on page 12.
Although Pilatre de Rozier and Marquis d’Arlandes rode off in circular gallery with wicker baskets over 200 years ago wicker has not always been used. In 1963 Ed Yost and Don Piccard flew the English Channel on a sheet of plywood. Raven industries experimented with aluminum and composites in the 1970s. Even today, the experimental aeronauts have created some very ingenious contraptions for "baskets." In A Tisket, A Tasket, What’s Ballooning Without a Basket? Glen Moyer examines the evolution of today’s modern balloon basket, page 16.
The Triangular Carriage tells the story of why Tracy Barnes developed a three, instead of four, sided carriage on page 24. We finish our Special Report with a Burn or Rip feature on three versus four corner baskets. Written by Alan Noble, Cameron Balloon Ltd, and Joel Blom, The Balloon Works, this light-hearted feature should make for some hearty discussions during the long dreary winter. Page 26.
Interesting Flights
Three interesting flights are highlighted in this issue. First, in Preflight, Carl Eidsness breaks one of ballooning’s longest standing distance records in the AA-4 category.
Second, Ed Heltshe and Bruce Comstock fly what is undoubtedly the longest distance "pleasure" flight of all time. Piloting a Roziere balloon, they launched from Aspen, Colorado and flew to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Bruce Comstock shares the thrill and adventure in making such a great flight in Tranquil Voyager, beginning on page 28.
Third, Jean-Claude Weber tells in Hangar Flying of a harrowing flight experience over the Swiss and Italian Alps and the lessons that he and his co-pilot learned. At one point they were descending at 2,500 feet per minute. Crossing the Alps begins on page 46.
Season’s Greetings
As 1995 draws to a close all of here at Balloon Life would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your support and wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.
10th Anniversary
It has been ten years since Balloon Life’s first issue. The February issue will celebrate our 10th Anniversary.
