Annual Balloon Buyer’s Guide
In this issue we present our eleventh annual balloon buyer’s guide. Whether
you are looking for a "store bought" balloon or fancy tackling at least some of the
construction yourself, our survey offers the only guide to new balloons offered in
the U.S. Beginning on page 23 you will find a listing of current prices, product
descriptions, and some company history for 13 manufacturers.
That is one more than last year. Sky Sailor Balloons of Costa Mesa, California gained U.S. Type Certification earlier this year. Carl Gage has been working on his model for over ten years. The eleven manufacturers with Type Certificated balloons ties the record number of manufacturers making balloons since Adams and Eagle ceased to exist in the late 1980s.
In our first guide, 1986, the average cost for a basic AX-7 (77,000 cu. ft.) balloon was $10,823. In 1996 that cost had risen to $20,199 or about the price of a new car. George Hahn in The Graying of Balloonists on page 22, says that the increased life expectancy and improved quality are well worth that increase. The increase is also in line with the consumer price index.
Balloon Sense beginning on page 50 details some of a balloon owner’s responsibilities regarding the balloon’s registration.
My Wife is a Balloonaholic on page 48 is a light-hearted look those of us who have a passion for ballooning.
Wally Miller - BFA Executive Director
As reported in the February issue of Balloon Life, Wally Miller has
been hired by the Balloon Federation of America as Executive Director. In late
March Wally signed his contract with the BFA. The day after his title became
official, Balloon Life visited with him by phone from his home in
Monument, Colorado.
Wally has served as the National Aeronautic Association’s BFA Board representative for the last two years. Prior to that he served a short stint as the Executive Director of the NAA. He served for 28 years in the Air Force and has spent the last 15 years closely involved with sport aviation. He has written numerous articles on the subject of human factors in aviation.
In his first interview since officially becoming the BFA Executive Director, Wally told Balloon Life what his plans are for the near future. The conversation was positive and upbeat. The interview with Wally begins on page 12.
Jumping out of a perfectly good balloon
Skydiver Steve Sandstrom has been jumping for a long time. He, as many
other parachutists do, loves the thrill that comes from beginning his jump from
the silent, "non-moving" platform a balloon offers.
Dropping skydivers is not for every balloonist. However, the author in Short Ride: Skydivers and Ballooning gives a skydiver’s perspective and tips on how to safely and successfully conduct this operation. The story begins on page 18.
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