Record Setting Cooperation
In early February Bill Bussey and Jetta Schantz joined resources and shared equipment, knowledge, and support to go after world duration records in hot air balloons. Record setting flights are usually solo affairs. Not this time.
Bob Rice handled the weather forecasting for both flight attempts. Never before had he worked for two teams going after the same type of record at the same time.
The plan was for the two balloons to try and fly as close together as possible. Windy conditions at launch, see the cover photograph, changed those plans. After launch each of the flights took on its own unique characteristics.
Balloon Life Special Report editor, Glen Moyer, ran the command center for teams from Longview, Texas. Beginning on page 20 he brings a unique inside perspective for both flights.
Bussey and Schantz were both able to achieve their primary goal of breaking the existing record they initially sought. They have left open an opportunity to revisit and challenge these goals again.
Aérophile 5500
Back in 1783 French paper makers and a scientist created the first "aircraft" to carry people aloft. The Montgolfier brother and J.A.C. Charles invented a way to see the world from a new perspective. Today thousands of balloon pilots around the world enjoy the sport of ballooning.
Tens of thousands more have the opportunity to float across the country by flying with one of the many commercial balloon ride businesses. The cost of that ride is often more than people can afford. Add to that the four to six hours that a "full" balloon experience includes and it becomes apparent that many who might like to go up in a balloon will not have a chance.
These dreams and limitations of balloon flight caused two Frenchmen to reinvent the balloon experience. The result is a tethered gas balloon. The licensed pilot on-board controls the electrical wench by remote control. The cost, not including installation, is 4,300,000 French francs (about $850,000).
For years I have fielded questions from promoters, usually at seaside resorts, about using, usually hot air, balloons to give tether rides. After I stop laughing I have explained to them while their idea will not work as a going business. Now I can direct them to a product that might work. To learn more see our story beginning on page 24.
BFA at 35
On March 26 the Balloon Federation of America will turn 35 years old. The founding editor of Ballooning, The Journal of the BFA, Deke Sonnichsen has prepared for Balloon Life a short review of those early years.
Deke was also the first Secretary-Treasurer of the new BFA when in 1967 the new "thermal" balloons were allowed to be included.
The BFA was originally founded when the Balloon Club of America and the National Lighter Than Air Group agreed to join to form a new lighter- than-air branch of the National Aeronautic Association. The new group then adopted the name Balloon Federation of America as suggested by Don Overs. The first president was Peter Pellegrino. Story and some comments begin on page 10.
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