Balloon Federation of America
The Balloon Federation of America announced the results of elections held in August for positions on the organizations Board of Directors and Division Boards.
Results for the At-Large seat had the highest number of ballots ever returned in a BFA election. 42 percent of the 3972 ballots mailed were returned. Charlie Sundquist, a former Board member running on a campaign to represent the average balloonist, received 983 votes. He defeated Dick Rudlaff, former Chair of the Competition Division, who received 659 votes. This particular race was considered a bellwether for the future direction of the BFA.
Both Southeast and North Central regions had vote returns of more 50 percent. Below are the results of the election.
BFA Board
At-Large
Charlie Sundquist 983
Richard Rudlaff 659
Southeast region
Earl Miller 215
Bill Cunningham 147
North Central region
Jim Thompson 177
Tina Reeves 100
Ken Tadolini 77
Western region (to fill unexpired term)
Koh Murai 123
Dennis Biro 84
Competition Division
At-Large
Tom Tyler 178
Mike Murphy 139
Northeast region
Jim Birk 31
Western region
Mike Bauwens 14
David Bradley 0
Gas Division
Bert Padelt 31
Troy Bradley 27
The BFA has announced that a second meeting of balloon clubs will be held during the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The October 6 meeting will be held in the Pilot's tent at 11:30 a.m.
The BFA will also hold its annual general meeting during Fiesta. That meeting will be held in the Pilot's tent on Saturday October 4. Time to be announced.
For more information contact the BFA, PO Box 400, Indianola, IA 50125 or call 515-961-8809.
The Balloon Works
The Balloon Works, Statesville, North Carolina, has announced a Student Pilot Program for 1997. Any balloon pilot student who has logged five or more hours in 1997 and sends in an entry blank will receive a new FireFly T-shirt. This program is open to all student pilots regardless of the balloon system they are taking their training in.
A special drawing will be held on December 18, 1997 from those entries received. The lucky winner will receive a new aircraft radio. Their instructor will get a brand new GPS.
In addition to the T-shirt and entry in the drawing, all student pilots registered will be sent a certificate good for $550 worth of options if they purchase a new FireFly or Galaxy balloon before June 30, 1998. These certificates will be serialized and may be used even if the system being purchased is on sale.
For more information or to receive an entry blank contact The Balloon Works, 810 Salisbury Rd, Statesville, NC 28677 or call 704-878-9501.
Creative Writing
Recognizing that ballooning is an exciting part of life that hasn't seen much attention in the movies, a film producer is looking for a ballooning themed screenplay.
Such a film project would do for ballooning what films like Point Break, Drop Zone, and Terminal Velocity did for skydiving. All skydiving instruction centers experienced huge growth in numbers of new students, and equipment manufacturers increased production to meet the demand of new gear purchases following the release of these films
If any Balloon Life reader has written such a screenplay or knows someone who has written one they can contact Daniel Hank by fax at (212) 769-4453 or e-mail dhank@worldnet.att.net.
World Records
The FŽdŽration AŽronautique Internationale has ratified Per Lindstrand's Roziere altitude record. On November 25, 1996. Lindstrand, while conducting a test flight in Reno, Nevada for his global attempt, few an AM-7, gas/hot air balloon, to 10,695 meters (29,338 feet). The record covers AM-7 through AM-15 size categories. The record surpasses those held by GŸnter Schabus and Steve Fossett.
The FAI also announced that two Japanese pilots, Masakazu Oiwa and Toshiko Ichiyoshi, have claims pending for new duration records in the AX-6, hot air balloon, category. On August 19 Oiwa flew for 15 hours and 25 minutes. Ichiyoshi's flight took place August 21 and 22 but the performance has not be given. The current record is held by Bill Bussey of the U.S. with a time of 14 hours and 14 minutes set in February 1996.
Global News
Balloon Life has learned that Bruce Comstock has left the Solo Challenger team headed by Steve Fossett. Comstock has reportedly joined a new entrant in the around-the-world race. Kevin Ulliassi, Phoenix, Arizona, has tossed his hat into the ring and has a new Cameron Roziere balloon on order.
First Tethered Balloon
Michigan Balloon Corporation and UK based Virgin Aerostations announced that they have reached a provisional agreement for a new US based company to operate a helium filled, tethered ride balloon. The operation will be marketed as Virgin Skyride in Birch Run, Michigan.
Once installed the balloon will be able to take as many as 30 passengers on each tethered flight. The balloon system is built by AŽrophile of France (Balloon Life, March 1996). The system is expected to be delivered this month. Installation is expected to be completed by April when the 200,000 cubic foot balloon envelope will be ready for inflation. Operation is expected to begin May 15, 1998. The ride will operate to heights of up to 500 feet, giving views of more than 20 miles.
Birch Run is the largest retail outlet development site in the United States with over six million visitors each year. Craig Elliott told Balloon Life, "Our site is on the second busiest exit on the entire stretch of I-75." Orlando, Florida being number one.