World Quest

On the strength of early sponsor support, balloonists Dick Rutan and Dave Melton have announced a new attempt to circumnavigate the earth in a project known as World Quest. They have elected to fly in the Southern Hemisphere, and are designing a super-pressure balloon system that will overcome the limitations of Rozier lift systems.

"We have already completed fabrication of our pressurized crew capsule, and are extremely pleased that Barron Hilton also believes in our new approach," Rutan said. "We are looking to complete our funding by the first of the year so we can take off from Chile around July of 1999."

Rutan earned his place in history as pilot of the Voyager's non-stop and unrefueled flight around the world in 1986. He flew with Melton aboard the Global Hilton balloon in January of this year, a mission that was cut short when the helium cell inside the Rozier's hot-air envelope failed as it reached float altitude. Melton made two other world flight attempts as a member of the Earthwinds Hilton balloon crew in the early `90s. He will serve as World Quest's pilot, while Rutan will serve as project director and aircraft commander.

"We learned a great deal about our life-support and lift systems during our development of the Global Hilton," Melton said. "We now have experience on our side, and rather than buy a system off the shelf, we will design a balloon of our own which we feel can do the job."

Global Hilton sponsors Pepsi, Hilton Hotels Corporation and its chairman, Barron Hilton, have contributed funds for fabrication of a new crew capsule. Barron Hilton has also pledged to meet 25 percent of World Quest's remaining budget. That leaves Rutan and Melton a little more than $500,000 away from their fundraising goal.

One of World Quest's sponsors, ARINC Incorporated., is supplying all communications services and equipment for the flight. As America's communications resource for the airline industry, ARINC is able to provide state-of-the-art high frequency voice and data links, as well as satellite transmissions between the crew capsule and mission control.

"As we approach the Year 2000, few other aviation endeavors can claim the mass appeal of a global balloon flight," Rutan said. "Public interest will build by geometric proportions during each day of the 9 to 14-day flight. We're looking for a primary sponsor to join us in our quest to capture the last great aviation feat of the 20th Century."

World Quest is headquartered at the Mojave Civilian Flight Test Center near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. Rutan and Melton can be reached at P.O. Box 964, Mojave, CA 93502; fax: (805) 824-1035; phone: (805) 824-1021. The new web site for World Quest is http://www.transglobalballoon.com/

RE/MAX

To help celebrate the Team RE/MAX attempt at being the first manned balloon flight around the world, RE/MAX of California and Hawaii has announced an Around the World Scholarship Contest through November 30, 1998.

Four $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to the winners of an essay or drawing contest that best describes "what it would be like to fly around the world in a balloon." The contest is open to all California and Hawaii residents 18 years and younger who are enrolled in kindergarten to twelfth grade. Only kindergartners and first graders can submit a drawing as part of the contest. The contest entries will be judged on creativity, inventiveness and merit.

Entries need to be submitted to a California or Hawaii RE/MAX office by November 30, 1998 on an official entry form. Winners will be notified by December 31, 1998. The official form is available at any RE/MAX office in California and Hawaii. To find the closest RE/MAX office, call (800) 227-3629.

Team RE/MAX will launch its balloon at Alice Springs, Australia in late December 1998 to attempt the record. For additional RE/MAX sponsored education information see Ballooning Takes Education Around the World on page 10.

Cameron Balloons US

Thunder and Colt balloons will be re-introduced in the U.S. market this October with the full backing of Cameron U.S. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "Thunder and Colt has long enjoyed a very loyal following in the U.S., yet has lacked American factory support for the past 4 years", points out Lorne Whittles, General Manager of Cameron US. "We are very excited about providing that essential local support, and applying our stable foundation of resources, experience, and strong customer service to backing the T&C product in America".

Over the past 4 years, Thunder and Colt has remained one of the world's leading balloons, maintaining a very strong presence in Europe. With more than 35 envelopes and 15 basket styles available, T&C will continue to offer a full range of choice. According to Whittles, "the choice has never been greater, and T&C customers now have the security of a strong, established manufacturer coupled with a range of choice that cannot be matched. Thunder & Colt customers can again look forward to those features they have come to appreciate over the years -- such as the Stratus burner, hard floor baskets, plus the flying characteristics of the T&C envelope, among other features."

The kickoff of "Thunder and Colt America" will be staged at Albuquerque this October, where product will be on display and literature made available. Cameron U.S. will be supporting the T&C product not only in the United States, but in Mexico also. For more information, contact Thunder and Colt America at (734) 426-5527.

Cameron U.S. has added a new model to their existing line of 5 envelopes. Developed and engineered by Cameron U.S., the all-new Z-series is designed with the same shape and 24-gore smoothness as the 20-year old N-series, yet with horizontal rather than vertical panels. This horizontal pattern of hundreds of panels allows the owner to create spirals, checkerboards, or other intricate patterns on a super-smooth surface. "With respect to our existing 5 envelope patterns, the advent of the "Z" is the finishing touch, offering sport balloonists expanded creative potential, and logo balloons greater flexibility with the potential for lower artwork costs", says Lorne Whittles, General Manager.

Currently available in 4 sizes up to 105,000 cubic feet, the "Z" series envelope has 24 gores, yet benefits from only 12 mouth cables for less weight on the mouth on inflation and less potential expense in case of burn damage. All options are available on the "Z", including rotation vents and Cameron's proven fast deflation system.

The "Z" is the first addition to Cameron's envelope line since the introduction of the Concept series in 1994, and augments Cameron's existing line of A-series (20 gore), N-series (24 gore), O-series (12 gore), Viva (8 gore), and Concept (12/16 gore) envelope styles. For more information, contact Andrew Baird at Cameron Balloons U.S., Box 3672, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, phone 734-426-5525, fax 734-426-5026, Internet http://www.cameronballoons.com/

FAI Hall of Fame

In June the ballooning community gathered in Mitchell, South Dakota for the 1998 Corn Palace Balloon Rally and Annual Governor's Cup Challenge. Ceremonies included the induction of the newest living member into the Ballooning Hall of Fame, housed at the Soukup & Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum.

At brunch on Sunday, Jean-Claude Weber, President of the FAI Ballooning Commission, introduced Anthony Smith, the 1998 living nominee into the Ballooning Hall of Fame. Author, reporter, and adventurer, Smith is credited with re-introducing airships to Britain after an absence of several decades. He was the first man to fly balloons over Tanzania and Kenya, and was the first Brit to fly over the Alps. He founded the British Balloon and Airship Club in 1965, and his reputation in ballooning led to involvement in several feature movies such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Superman II.

Space Hall of Fame

During October Jean Felix and Jeannette Ridlon Piccard will inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The Space Hall of Fame annually honors outstanding contributions to the exploration of space.

Jean Felix and Jeannette Ridlon Piccard were chosen for this prestigious and distinguished recognition because they served the United States and the international community with honor and distinction with outstanding achievement. During the 1930's they were involved in high altitude balloon flight that reached the edge of space.

Oatmeal and Ballooning

Steve and Jodi Hunter of Louisville, Colorado are being featured on the Quaker Toasted Oatmeal Honey Nut cereal box. The photograph is part of a new Quaker advertising campaign for their oatmeal products. The cereal boxes have just started to appear on grocery shelves nationwide.

The Hunter's were among 100 volunteers to participate in Quaker's "Smart Heart Challenge" in Lafayette, Colorado. Each participant agreed to eat a bowl of oatmeal every morning for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days 98 out of the 100 saw an average reduction in their cholesterol level of 25 points. Steve and Jodi had a 31 and 9 point reduction respectively.

In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first-ever health claim for a specific foodoatmeal. The claim states: "Soluble fiber from oatmeal, as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease." The Smart Heart Challenge hopes to demonstrate the heart-health benefits of eating oatmeal daily.

Steve and Jodi Hunter own and operate the Hunter Flooring Center in Louisville, Colorado. Their time away from the store is spent flying their hot air balloon. This month the Hunters will be one of 850 balloons flying at the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. They are being sponsored by one of their suppliers, Mohawk Carpet Mills.

New Balloon Curriculum

Balloon Excelsior, the oldest Federal Aviation Administration approved balloon flight school, Air Agency IA8S209Q has received approval from the FAA to prepare a student for a Private Pilot Certificate in only eight hours of flight training.

The new Private Pilot curriculum when combined with Balloon Excelsior's Commercial Pilot Course, allows a prospective balloon pilot to progress from Student to Commercial in just 14 hours total. Over 300 students have graduated from Balloon Excelsior's 26-year old school.

Under new FAA regulations, an applicant for a Commercial Certificate must first hold a Private Certificate. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 141, entitled Pilot Schools, sets out the stringent specifications for FAA-approval, which include facility requirements, highly experienced flight instructors, written curriculums, record-keeping provisions, in addition to periodic inspections by FAA Operations and Maintenance Inspectors.

The cost for Balloon Excelsior's 8-hour Private Pilot course, in the school's balloon, is just $2250. The FAA Practical Test, immediately available to the applicant, is $200. A pilot who already holds at least an FAA Private Pilot Certificate (in any aircraft) can complete the 10-hour Commercial Pilot course for only $3000. An uncertificated applicant can earn a Commercial Certificate with 14-hours of flight training for as little as $4125.

For more information contact Balloon Excelsior, 1241 High St, Oakland, CA 94691, phone 510-261-4222, fax 510-261-7908, email: balpub@vdn.com.

Aero Club of France

The Aero Club of France, founder member of Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, celebrates its 100th birthday in October. The FAI General Conference, which takes place in Toulouse is just one of the many events organized to celebrate this landmark anniversary.

The Champs Elysées in Paris was been transformed into a giant outdoor aviation museum through September 27, with some 6O aircraft of all generations in the last 100 years lining the boulevard. The aircraft were floated on barges at night down the River Seine and off-loaded by crane - a major logistical exercise.

Sadly, a centerpiece of the celebrations, the departure of the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon race from the Tuileries Gardens had to be cancelled because of bad weather (See A Great Disappointment in Paris page 16).