September 1999
(ISSN 0887-6061) is
published monthly by Balloon Life
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MAGAZINE
September 1999
Editor-In-Chief
Publisher
Tom Hamilton
Contributing Editors
Ron Behrmann, George Denniston,
Greg Livadas, Mike Rose, Peter Stekel
Columnists
Don Piccard
Staff Photographer
Ron Behrmann
Pat Anderson, Richard DaGasta
Dean Ekdahl, Paul Fifield, Norm Hall
Carol Harris, Lisa Lurie, Glen Moyer
Joe Mussulman, Vickey Resner
Rick Tilburg
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The 1999 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship returned to Rantoul, Illinois
for the second year. Heldat the former Air Force base on the edge of town, the facility
is an excellent place to hold an competition of this magnitude. After last year’s financial
disappointment there were questions about howthe event would farethis year. Whilethe
final number have not been calculated, it would appear the organization was ableto break
eventhis year.
The championship itself held its own challenges for pilots this year. One long time
observer noted that this was thefastestNationals he could remember. Winds throughout
much of the week were brisk. So much so that the mobile repair stations in Rantoul were
keepbusyrepairingdamagedenvelopes.Onecontestant,DavidLevin,damagedhis
balloon to the point where he replaced the envelope with another. Many first time pilots
had never flown in such conditions before. Flying at the National Championship can be
a growing and learning experience.
JoeHeartsillcapturedhis thirdtitle followedbyfellow Texans Steve Jones (two
timechampion)andsonLucasHeartsill(lastyear’srookie ofthe year). Ourspecial
report on the Nationals beginson page 22.
Cheri White won the first US Women’s National Hot Air BalloonChampionship.
Balloon Life talked with Cheri soon after the event to get her impressions. The interview
starts onpage 28.
In late breakingnews,Balloon Lifehas learnedthat BillArras, Bend, Oregon has
wonthe WorldHotAirBalloonChampionshipinAustria.Billqualifiedfor theUS
World Team with his second place finish at
the 1998USNationalsinColumbia,Mis-
souri.
Bill’s victory demonstrates that seat of
thepantsballoonflyingisstillalive.He
ownsaGPS,butonlyusesittoconfirm
information,notasanelectronicinstru-
ment hookedtoan onboardcomputer and
downlinkedtothechase vehicle.He isa
true adventure balloon pilot. Having flown
onallsevencontinents,Billfliesexperi-
mental homebuilt balloons as well as larger
factorybuilt ones.
CongratulationstoBillonhiswin.
Look for our reporton the World’s soon.
