Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
Club members note with sadness the passing of Ted Torok. Ted was
very involved in GEBA, wrote the first set of by laws with Jacques Soukup. He
was remembered as an individual who was motivated to benefit ballooning.
New members include: George Blair, Jim Duncan, Allen Emer, David Spais, Dave & Evelyn
Tryon, Jon Lyman, Gene Dente & Marian Nixon.
Kirk Thomas reported on his trip to London (with Doug Lane & Jacques Soukup) to
purchase balloon memorabilia at Southby's Auction.
Other Items of Interest
Congratulation to Gene & Sharon Dente on their
January 9th wedding
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Sharon Dashevsky who had a kidney
transplant on December 7th
Congratulations to Marybeth Young on obtaining a commercial pilot
rating
Congratulations to Sue West on obtaining a private pilot rating
Congratulations to Scott Maurer on obtaining a private pilot rating
Gone
According to information published on their web site (www.alexandriaballoonfest.com), the Magic of Alexandria balloon festival will not be held
in 1999. After 10 years, the event director has announced the need to focus on
general aviation and the airport, itself.
Landowner comments
From the cards returned....
It was a thrilling experience....
Thanks for making an ordinary Saturday morning "special" by
landing in our backyard - it's a day we'll never forget....
Very nice people, the balloon was beautiful....
Great group of people - very courteous....
Great landing! Made our day - feel free to land here anytime....
The pilot was extremely courteous - Come back again....
From the President
The Dubious Distinction Award is presented to the around the world team of
Branson, Fossett & Lindstrand. After the balloonists strayed from their stated
and approved flight plan, the Chinese government allowed passage, but then banned all
future balloon flights over their country. Although the flight team had little
choice once they approached China, their incursion into prohibited airspace inadvertently
created the world's largest ballooning red zone! This global incident just
reinforces the need for each of us to consider landowner relations as part of our
pre-flight planning.
Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
The new GEBA brochure is being produced by the landowner committee, and is
intended to help the public better understand balloons. 10,000 were printed and
available for club member use.
A new GEBA service (landowner lottery cards) is started mostly due to the efforts of Mark
Schilling
Jim Thompson gave a lengthy description of a fire that occurred in his garage containing
propane tanks and gasoline motors with fuel in their tanks. Tony Musto presented an
article on flying over dairy cattle and the potential effect on milk production.
Other Items of Interest
Larry Konash announced he has relinquished the position of balloonmeister
for the NJ Festival of Ballooning.
The "Magic of Alexandria Balloon Festival" organizer has announced the event
will not continue operation.
The "Snowflake Ball" was a tremendous success. It was well attended, there
were awards, food, drink, and dancing!
Balloons Over Bristol
If it’s Memorial Day weekend, then you will find over 30 balloonists in Bristol, CT for the annual "Balloons Over Bristol" event.
Hosted by the Bristol Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), this event has been the keystone of the holiday celebration for over 20 years. Like many festivals, it features balloon flights, glows, tethers, food, crafters, vendors, rides, games and entertainment. Unlike many festivals, there is no admission or parking charge for the public. The event is the Jaycee’s gift to the people of Bristol, part of their community action project work.
From a pilot perspective, the flying area has both "good’ and "less than good" directions. Amenities include propane after every flight, champagne, and food! Yes, the Jaycees do a better than average job of ensuring that the balloon crews are well nourished. Using a park and pavilion area, there is a nearly never-ending supply of goodies, from breakfast to dinner. There are some paying passengers for both free flights and tethers.
In between flights, local attractions include the Lake Compounce Amusement Park, which claims to be the world’s oldest operating amusement park. It features a great wooden roller coaster, huge carousel and other rides. Bristol is home to two very interesting museums; the New England Carousel Museum and the Watch & Clock Museum.
Submitted by: Al Dashevsky
Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
Successful half-day crew seminar is held at Shawnee Inn prior to May general
meeting. Bob & Jana Hutyra from Czechoslovakia spoke at the meeting about gaining their family's freedom by flying a home built hot air balloon (at night) into
Austria. Bob had no previous knowledge or experience with building or flying a hot
air balloon.
Dean Maurer is appointed BFA Accident Prevention Counselor and also serves on the Board
for Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition (MAAC).
Other Items of Interest
The Magic of Alexandria Balloon Festival, which began in 1989, has
ceased operation, according to the event director.
The club and it's members mourn the loss of Peter Pelligrino, one of the
"founding fathers" of current day ballooning. Mr. Pelligrino was
instrumental in forming the Balloon Federation of America (BFA).
The FAA is accepting comment letters on the BFA sponsored petition to modify paragraph
91.119 regarding minimum altitude.
GEBA members Bob Mueller, Bob & Georgia Puttock, Mark MacSkimming and President Mark
Schilling attended the presentation of the Budweiser award to Betrand Piccard and Brian
Jones for their around the world flight. The ceremony was held at the Air &
Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
Dan Decker becomes president of GEBA
Lyme disease flyers handed out to warn balloonists dangers of deer tick potential in
landing areas.
New Landowner Appreciation Cards being returned - program deemed initial success.
Competition leaders half way through the season are: Jim Duncan, Ken
Roeschen,
Rodger Kell.
Other Items of Interest
GEBA announces first long jump competition. Ray Horan and David Allen are working on a check list of safety items. The goal is to provide the opportunity for balloonists to attempt a "long jump" with more moderate goals than the BFA program. The flying window will be October 1st through March 1st. The GEBA effort is to provide a teaching opportunity to those who have to yet experience a long distance flight. Details will be published in next newsletter.
Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
Some crew members have indicated they feel "left out" at various
balloon rallies. Suggestion was made that they be some way to identify them, as well as
pilots, sponsors, etc. Hmmm - seems the more things change - the more they stay the same,
doesn't it?
"The only thing dumber than sheep are turkeys" (based on, SAT results
???)
Ten Years Ago ..From The GEBA Newsletter
Congratulations to Chris & Cindy Mooney on their September wedding.
They were carried by horse & carriage to a grassy hillside, a wedding toast
made, and they flew out in one of pair of hot air balloons trailing a streamer, "Just
Married". Chris is past President of GEBA.
The Soukup-Thomas Balloon museum opens in Tyndall, South Dakota.
Bert Padelt & Dave Wilsey of Balloon Adventures have constructed a lighter-than-air
helium filled passenger balloon. The first launch is being planned. It is 5
stories tall, holding 35,000 cubic feet of helium.
GEBA Dinner Dance will be held at the Yellow Brick Toad in Lambertville.
Other Items of Interest
Nominations are being accepted for both the (annual) Torok and Decker awards.
Decker nominations (for crew achievement) should be sent to Ken Leota. Nominations
for the Torok award should be sent to Dave & Evelyn Tryon. The deadline for both
is January 31, 2000.
Thanks to the Schneider's for again hosting the GEBA meeting at their
restaurant, for the great food, deserts, another "fish" and a new
"gate" tradition.