by Jim Dorsey
Joel Sturdevant has to be one
happy camper. Taking first place at the 1998 Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival
is no easy feat, sometimes there are no winners. Historically the event
has been plagued with bad weather, questionable management, and difficult
launch conditions as well as tough times for chase crews.
For all of the above reasons, I have avoided the event even though it is my own back yard. When I received the invitation and found out Dale Wong was to be the Balloonmeister I decided to make my second appearance in the last ten years.
My Southern California crew was pleased that they didn't have to stay in a motel room, or rent cold weather gear and freeze their ????? off. After all it was springtime in Southern California. How cold could it be?
Friday was media day, and we drove down to fly for fun and give the media a thrill. My first challenge after setting my truck in place was to deal with the pilot who parked his truck behind me right where we were to inflate. At first I thought he was just stupid until I saw the ABC news truck filming next to me. The next thing I noticed was that the other pilots recommended the news guy fly with me. Duh!!! If he's in your balloon, you won't be on TV.
I eagerly agreed. This wasn't going to be a real news event unless someone seriously screwed up. My space cleared out and so did the news guy. Never saw him again. After a perfect launch and great flight and nice breakfast, it was time for registration and pilot briefing.
My crew left and turned on the news, and there I was larger than life on the noon news. I found out later no one I know saw it. Nobody watches the news on noon.
Back to ballooning. Friday night's glow was called due to high winds, and all the pilots who would have set up weren't around anyway.
Saturday's event was canceled. Low ceiling and winds blowing the wrong direction. It is important to mention that in the past wind direction was not considered enough of a problem to not fly. I have flown and chased balloons flying the wrong way. Recovery is at best difficult, and sometimes next to impossible (see Balloon Life, Hangar Flying-,Tangled Up In Temecula, September 1997). Dale told me that we would not fly under those conditions. Admirable!
My crew went shopping for a new truck for me. They have decided I need bigger and with a lift gate. When I saw their faces stuck to the window of the Pontiac's Chase commander I decided it was time to leave.
Sunday the race was on. With ideal
winds and a purse of $2,000 waiting for the lucky winner, pilots were pumped.
Some were a bit testy. As the launch directors got to me, I was hot and
ready (to fly the balloon). They were falling over themselves apologizing
that they could not give me an OK to launch because other balloons were
overhead. I thought this is a bit strange until I later learned that several
other pilots became irate when they were not given permission to launch
immediately.
Personalities flared throughout the morning. The most fun I had was in the propane line after the race. With the driver making a command decision that we were not flying due to some weather condition at his house and going back to bed... there was no propane truck. After an hour and a half of pin trading, experience sharing and hugging, we got the word.
Now folks... understand that when we show up at a rally we are the entertainment. And there is nothing entertaining about listening to pilots whining about having to drive to another location for propane. I got mine and went home full and happy. Had a great time.
The festival from a balloonist's perspective was well organized fun and, above all, safe. Will I go back next year? You bet. As a pilot sometimes flying in a strange area, it is important to know someone else is looking out for our safety. Our sport is the safest in the world. Thanks to Dale and the Southern California Balloon Association and the good folks in Temecula for doing their best to keep it that way.
