Cameron Balloons USAerostar International
Aerostar International, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has announced a series of special educational events during the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Each day during the week Aerostar will feature a different aspect of balloon manufacturing. Representatives from various Aerostar vendors will be on hand to discuss detailed issues relating to materials, production processes and philosophies of design.
Monday is Rally Day, with new 1998 Rally patterns to be tethered at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday is Fiesta Fabric Day, when representatives from Performance Textiles, DuPont and Milliken will be in the Aerostar tent discussing various types of fabrics, weights of fabric and weave patterns in fabrics.
Thursday is Tank You Very Much, when Wheeler Tank Manufacturing will be on hand to discuss Aerostar stainless steel tanks, burst test pressures and tank materials.
Friday is Shapes 'R Us, when long time Aerostar special shapes designer and consultant Rich Andrews will talk about special shape technology, design, flight testing and performance.
For more information contact Allen Schlenker, Aerostar International, PO Box 5057, Sioux Falls, SD 57117, call 605-331-3500, or visit their web site at http://aerostar.com/.
Cameron Balloons US
Cameron US has announced the delivery of the first Foxtrot basket and A-315 (315,000 cubic feet) envelope to be built and delivered in the United States. Equipped with a certified 6,300 pound gross lift capability, which yields approximately 4,300 pounds of payload lift for passengers when the system is fueled with 80 gallons, the A-315 system is the largest U.S. Type Certified hot air balloon ever to be introduced into the United States market.
The Foxtrot measures over 66 inches in width and 147 inches in length. Built around a Double-T stainless steel top frame, the basket has an all-weave construction (including the floor), eight uprights erecting the Ultra Triple burner and anodized aluminum heat shields, 16 steel cables cradling the basket, and eight carabiner attachment points. Each of four passenger compartments is capable of comfortably fitting five average passengers, while the pilot compartment is designed to accommodate four 20 gallon stainless steel tanks while leaving ample room for the pilot. All the passenger compartments feature cushion floors, padded walls, and double rows of rope handles for handholds.
For more information contact Cameron US, PO Box 3672, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, call 313-426-5525, e-mail: hotline@cameronballoons.com, or visit their web site at http://cameronballoons.com/.
Balloon Federation of America
The Balloon Federation of America has announced a Great Balloon Giveaway. Aerostar International of Sioux Falls, South Dakota has donated a brand new, never been flown, Aurora 54, pictured near by, as the prize. The contest period is open from May 1, 1997 until the morning of October 4, 1997. During the BFA's annual general meeting, to be held at Balloon Fiesta Park during the 1997 Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a lucky recipient's name will be drawn from among the entries.
A BFA member who renews their membership, becomes a new member, or sponsors a new member will receive one entry credit. Multiple credits can be earned by renewing for multiple years and/or signing up new members. A new Life membership earns 20 entry credits for the giveaway. You need not be present at the drawing to win.
For more information on the Great Balloon Giveaway, rules, or to enter contact the Balloon Federation of America, PO Box 400, Indianola, IA 50125 or call 515-961-8809.
Head Balloons
Head Balloons, Inc., Helen, Georgia, has announced two type certifications for their system in other countries. Tarp Head, president, told Balloon Life, "Our representative in Peru, 'GLOBOS de Los Andes s.a.,' recently completed the necessary testing and paperwork to become certified in Peru. This certification enters into the pages of Peruvian Aviation history. This is the first time that a hot air balloon was registered as an Aircraft in the Republic of Peru." The two balloons shipped will be flying sight seeing flights over many ancient sites in Peru, such as Cuzco and Matupichu.
Head Balloons is also now certified in Slovenia. Earlier this year Head set up a representative in Slovenia, "BALONI Sorn," and shipped the first balloon. Through the new representative's efforts certification was obtained from the Slovenian government.
For more information contact Head Balloons, PO Box 28, Helen, Georgia, call 1-800-HEAD BALLOONS, e-mail: headballoons@juno.com, or visit their web site at http://www.smartattack.com/head.
Sky Balloons
Sky Balloons, England and U.S., announced the production of The Mistral burner. A new, improved burner is now available in double, triple, and quad format, boasting high power, low noise, and enhanced aesthetics.
Features of the new burner include squeeze action on main blast valves, smooth acting toggle for liquid fire, center gimbal allowing burner to fold flat for storage, and monobloc construction enabling quick, simple maintenance.
Additional features include tactile wooden handle for comfortable burner manipulation, pilot light controlled by easily accessible rotary action valve, and variable friction device to allow controlled gimbal position. All new burners will be supplied with a complete materials specification log, providing details of all critical components and test records.
In a separate announcement Jon Nunns, founder of Sky Balloons, said that Paul Dickinson, former Production and Operations Director of Thunder & Colt, has joined the Sky team as joint Managing Director. Dickinson has also become a significant shareholder in Sky, consolidating the Company's considerable financial and management strengths.
Dickinson has been involved in ballooning since he joined Colt Balloons as Production Manager in 1982. His appointment now means that Sky has three former Thunder & Colt directors involved in the company's business, the other two being Mark Broome and Chris Kirby.
Nunns told Balloon Life, "Sky now has the management team and stability it has been striving to achieve. Supported by an experienced factory team of balloon designers and builders, many of whom are also ex T&C staff, Sky looks forward to supplying its customers with exciting new products at realistic prices combined with new standards of customer service. Balloonists worldwide will benefit from the competition presented by a business with a fresh, new approach backed by such an experienced team."
Joe Kittinger
On July 19, in Dayton, Ohio, Joe Kittinger joined other aviation legends when he was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Kittinger's aviation career has spanned a spectrum of experiences: test pilot, balloon pilot, test parachutist, combat fighter pilot, prisoner of war, civilian pilot and barnstormer. In 1960, he set the still current world's record for the longest high-altitude parachute jump in history. He was the first man to fly solo by balloon across the Atlantic in 1984. In his retirement, Kittinger barnstormers in an authentic 1929 New Standard Bi-plane bringing the thrill of an open cockpit and smiles to thousands of passengers at festivals and special aviation events.
Kittinger is the subject of a recent Naval Institute book, The Pre-Astronauts by Craig Ryan (Balloon Life, August, 1995). Kittinger has been featured in Balloon Life on several occasions, the most recent, October, 1995.
National Balloon Museum
The National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa is working on a crew display for the museum. The museum is requesting that anyone with crewing pictures, items or stories that they would like to donate to the museum to contact Dean Ann Netley, 703 E. Kentucky, Indianola, IA 50125 or call 515-961-8920.
Monkey Hop
Aunty Monkey is a balloon fanzine on the Internet http://www.fl.net.au/~monkey/. Produced in Australia, the publication takes a different look at ballooning.
Aunty Monkey has recently sponsored a new balloon event. Each entrant has a three month period in which they may make as many attempts to win as they wish. They must try and fly as far as possible in a single flight in a hot air balloon. They must also attempt to gain points along the way by spotting or doing various things from the air.
The Monkey Hop gives pilots a chance to compete against other pilots in the world without paying a fortune in airfares and freight. They can compete at their own flying areas and e-mail or post their results to the Aunty Monkey office. Plus, they can monitor how other are doing via the Internet.
A homepage for the Monkey Hop has been established as part of the Aunty Monkey on-line homepage. For more information visit the homepage listed above or contact Andrew Robertson, Editor and Event Director, by e-mail: monkey@fl.net.au.
I thought you said you've never flown before. Russ Montoya
