NPRM 95-11 Update
It has been a almost a year since the Federal Aviation Administration closed
the comment period on NPRM 95-11. This is the major revision for 14 CFR Part 61
regarding flight training. In the FAA's original proposed rules was the adoption of an
instructor rating for balloons.
The balloon community responded with a large letter writing campaign to have an instructor rating excluded from the new rules. Balloon Life recently spoke with John Lynch, the program manager for the NPRM, to find out the status of the NPRM is. Lynch told Balloon Life that, "The rewrite of the Part 61 and 141 is complete and sitting on Bob Klothe's desk in Washington, DC awaiting his signature. The instructor rating for balloons is not included in the new rules."
When asked when the aviation community can except the new rules to become effective Lynch said, "Will be out sometime this century." Perhaps he is a little gun shy having been quoted in Balloon Life many times in the late 80s and early 90s as indicating that the NPRM itself would be released "within months."
World Air Games Update
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale has officially announced that the
1st FAI World Air Games will be held in Turkey September 6 through 21, 1997. The
official opening ceremony will take place on September 13 in Antalya, Turkey.
Ballooning activities will take place in Urgup, Kapadokya (Cappadocia), Turkey September 14-21. Entry fee is $250 per balloon and includes propane, maps, presents and social events. The entry does not include travel, balloon freight, accommodations, meals, retrieve vehicles, local crew, insurance or airport transfers. Closing date for entries is June 1. A preliminary entry form must be received by April 1.
For more information on the balloon events contact Ismail Keremoglu by phone at +90-312-310-48 40/295, by fax at +90-213-310-46 90, or e-mail: thk-o@servis2.net.tr.
For information is available from the FAI at their World Wide Web site http://www.fai.org/~fai/wag/
High Flying Art
The "Mona Lisa" has the Louvre. The "Temple of Dendur" has the Met. "David"
has the Uffizi and "Aero Cuervo 1800 Mexican Masterpieces" has the need for a new
home-a big one! This 50-foot tall painting, formerly attached to a hot air balloon, is
seeking a permanent place to "land" following its fund-raising tour of America.
"Just because the Masterpiece is no longer airborne doesn't mean it's not worthy of adorning a high altitude wall or gallery somewhere in the United States," said Kate Nolan Clemens, public relations manager for super premium tequilas at Heublein, Inc. "We're asking art museums, non-profit organizations and even private individuals to consider their available space to showcase this Mexican-inspired work-of-art. The hand painted canvas, a giant reproduction of 'Paraiso Húmedo' features the handiwork of nearly 1,000 amateur artists from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newport and Miami. America painted Aero Cuervo 1800, America should see Aero Cuervo 1800."
As the balloon toured the U.S. people were invited to donate $4 to a non-profit organization in exchange for the chance to play Picasso and paint a portion of what would eventually become the world's only progressively painted hot air balloon canvas. After three months, eight cities and 32 painting parties, the completed Masterpiece made it grand finale appearance in Miami.
Anyone interested in displaying Aero Cuervo 1800's Paraiso Húmedo should write a letter of inquiry to: 1800 Masterpiece, PO Box 19136, Miami Beach, FL 33119. The letter should explain why they or their organization would like to host the Mexican Masterpiece. The responding individual or organization must have enough space to properly display the 50-foot tall canvas.
The 1997 Aero Cuervo 1800 hot air balloon tour will begin its high-flying charity- based tour in January with a new piece of aero-art called "Arbol Que Da Frutos" by contemporary Mexican painter Carlos Juarena. Painting parties will be held in Sacramento, San Diego, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Orlando.
Garmin GPS 38
Garmin of Olathe, Kansas has announced that they have reduced the price of
their popular GPS 38 to $149.99, the first handheld GPS receiver to break the $150
price barrier.
Introduced in January of 1996 the GPS 38's features include 250 waypoints, 20 reversible routes, compass navigation, and memory back up. For more information contact Garmin International, 1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062. Phone (913) 397-8200.
AIBF
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta announced that Mark Sullivan
has been elected President of AIBF for 1997. Sullivan, an Albuquerque businessman
and an active member of the ballooning community since 1982 helped revive interest in
gas ballooning in America by organizing the 37th Gordon Bennett in Albuquerque in
1993.
Steve Komadina was elected as Vice President, Robert Moore, Treasurer, and Richard Butterfield, Secretary.
Rainbow's End South
Although Balloon Life columnist Bill Murtorff has moved to Mexico
and his famous Houston Balloon Association newsletter has ceased
publication he has not stopped taking pen to paper. Murtorff has started a new
publication titled Rainbow's End South. Planned as a monthly publication,
Murtorff has picked up where he left off. Subscriptions are $15 per year. Checks should
be made out to Bill Murtorff and mailed to 1475 Stonewall, New Braunfels, TX
78130.
NOTAMs
In the October issue Balloonmeister Bill Murtorff's name was missed spelled in
the headline.
In the November issue the picture with the 9th World Gas Balloon Championship on page 31 showed the winners of the Gordon Bennett gas balloon race.
Five Years Ago in Balloon Life
* The FAA adopted a final rule that changed airspace designations from
TCA and ARSA to A, B, C, D, E, and G.
* Per Lindstrand, one of the founding partners of Thunder & Colt Balloons, Ltd. filed suit
against his former employer alleging conspiracy and breach of contract. The charges
resulted from Lindstrand's firing by the Board of Directors.
* Soukup & Thomas International Airship and Balloon Museum announced it was
moving from Tyndall to Mitchell, South Dakota.
* FAA adopts US/Canada bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Ten Years Ago in Balloon Life
* Julian Nott discussed his plans for an around the world balloon flight.
* The FAA proposed new and tighter airspace restrictions around 23 of the country's
busiest airports following a mid-air crash involving a private plane and an Aeromexico
DC-9 over Cerritos, California.
* William Armstrong of Upper Montclaire, New Jersey unveiled his new computer game,
LTA Trivia designed for young and old alike.
* The Swiss team of Peter Peterka and Jean Paul Kuenzi won the 4th World Gas
Balloon Championship.
