1998

Last year was a memorable one for ballooning. Attempts to fly around-the-world by balloon grabbed the headlines. Steve Fossett made three attempts, two solo and one as a member of the ICO Global team. Two teams had their chances dashed when their gas cells ruptured prematurely. Breitling Orbiter 2 kept the world on pins and needles for more than a week as they drifted waiting for China to give them permission to fly through their airspace.

The latest RTW try by Richard Branson, Per Lindstrand, and Steve Fossett held the world's attention for a week as they raced around-the-world in a Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones like thriller. Although the flight had a watery ending near Hawaii I predict that we will see this trio back for another try. Possible this summer from Argentina or Chile. For a short recap of the flight see Epic Flight on page 33.

Five more teams still await favorable weather and political considerations. By the time you read this Team RE/MAX will have either launched from Australia or packed it in for the season. Their high altitude attempt has a relatively short launch window. And, as balloonist around the world know, short term weather isn't always favorable.

The other major news story for last year was the controversy between the Balloon Federation of America and its competition division. A series of editorials and articles in this magazine brought the question of accountability of the division to a head and subsequent vote by the BFA membership. In December the members voted to disband the division and reorganize it as a more responsible committee (see Preflight, page 6). The BFA board is now in the process of dismantling, reorganizing, and accounting for the assets of the former division.

1999

The year ahead will be another exciting one for around-the-world balloon watching. Some teams if unsuccessful this winter, do to weather and political problems, will likely move to the southern hemisphere for a try next summer.

In Balloon Life there will be new columns/features. In a few months a new series on ballooning in all 50 states will begin, written by Greg Livadas. Our series on flight training will continue and expand. There are new events to look forward to, and old ones that promise to be bigger and better. There are new balloons to be built, new pilots and crew to be welcomed into the fold. And ah yes, there are also resolutions to be made...

As Balloon Life begins its 14th year, our resolution is the same as it has been each and every year previous, to be the best publication we can possibly be. It's a resolution we'll strive to meet each and every month of this new year.