TEN
YEARS AGO... FROM THE GEBA NEWSLETTER
The 1991 Safety Seminar was handled by Jim Pauze, Dan
Pregnar, and Tom Ragland. GEBA
president Bob Dicks reminded members to attend the May meeting in Philadelphia
as BFA representatives will be present to answer any questions asked of them.
Everyone was reminded that FAVIA needs full support, and committees would
soon be formed. Chris Mooney and
Bob Dicks calculated placement of balloons for a Glow on Logan Circle. Support has been solicited for a FAVIA postage stamp.
The Race Committee presented proposed rules for 1991.
Mike Renish reported on his 26-day ballooning
adventure on the island of Jamaica. Not only did he pilot tethers in Norma
Stanley’s 105,000 cubic foot balloon, but he flew in a valley with steerable
box winds near the Hilton banana plantation and sugar
cane fields.
Only 14% of GEBA members answered the awards banquet
questionnaire, giving high marks to the Yellow Brick Toad location, although not
to their banquet room. More time to
dance was high on the list of importance. Most
preferred to have the party in
early December.
GEBA event/rally survey results would be compiled by
Barry Nixon.
Doug Lane expressed thanks at receiving the Torok Award.
A CPR presentation was made by member Mike Coleman.
Susan Brown interviews balloonist Jim Birk, safety seminar
speaker. Some of his comments about
improving flight skills through
competition: “The 3 most common
mistakes a first-time competition pilot makes are not planning
his flight, being anxious about the situation he finds himself in, and being in
a hurry to get there.” “All
competitive pilots need to know the rules…They need to know what their pilot
limit is in the particular balloon they are flying, and not go beyond that
limit. The only way they can
increase their limits is to go out and practice and practice, and continue to proactive, until they can do some of the things the big boys can do.”
“The crew needs to know exactly where the pilot is and exactly where
they are on the map. Crew members
have to be almost as good at map reading as the pilot.”
Tips from the 1991 GEBA Safety Seminar: Dave Wilsey and Bert Padelt cautioned pilots to watch for wicker rot…caused by lots of splash and dashes without making sure the baskets have plenty of ventilation for drying. Jack Edling spoke about his accident in 1989 when he ran out of fuel and landed on some power lines running over railroad tracks. GEBA members were encouraged to participate in BFA Pilot Achievement Awards Program, BFA Crew Achievement Awards Program, and FAA Wings Program.
GEBA donates $100 towards “Serena’s Song” to
help complete the project that would enable wheelchair-bound children to fly.
New GEBA members include:
John Blair, commercial pilot; Todd Nixon, student; Allen Dashevsky,
student.
GEBA board attends BFA board meeting on May 5th.
Among issues discussed: environmental laws restricting release of free
balloons into the atmosphere must be watched for inadvertent application to
pibal balloons; BFA is officially against bungee jumping
from balloons; BFA endorses a National convention to be held in conjunction with
FAVIA celebration in 1993.
Chris and Cindy Mooney announce the birth of Christopher
Ryan Mooney on May 7th.
GEBA picnic is held at Shawnee Inn on June 22nd, a cool, rainy day, attended by about 30members. Dan Pregnar’s softball team beats Bob Dicks’ and volleyball is played “enthusiastically” by some. Bob Metz, Aaron Brody, and Doug Lane travel to France for ballooning events. Aeronaut’s Bookshelf, created by Bob Metz, releases 2nd catalog of rare and out-of-print aviation books. Mike Renish writes to encourage pilots to support their “unsung heros” of ballooning, our deserving crew members. FAVIA is advertised at Deptford Day events by Pat Malinak and Barry Nixon. Barry is interviewed about FAVIA by local Deptford radio station. Georgia Balloon Association newsletter claims black and white balloons are the top stand-out balloon color combination, and GEBA newsletter illustrated Ken Leota’s “Sir Prize” as an outstanding example. GEBA Race Committee sponsored Jim Birk, President of the BFA Competition Division, with a day and a half presentation of basic skills of national competition. Jim stressed that competition improves your flying skills and level of safety. Excerpts from interview with Jim Birk by Susan Brown: “Most people will agree that, in most cases, having 2 pilots in a balloon is worse than having a bad pilot… One person needs to make decisions, and everyone else needs to live with it.” “You have to approach the nationals on a positive note. If you approach them on a negative mental note, you might as well save your money and stay home.” Joan Mount reported on the Syracuse Balloon Festival, including the Chase Crew Olympics where 18 crews competed for prizes.
Per Lindstrand presents slide show that demonstrates his confidence in his technology and equipment. Group from John Wise Society attends our November to hear him speak.
Johann Schneider cautions GEBA members of sensitive areas in Manalapan and Millstone Twp where horse farm owners do not welcome balloon landings. His advice, “If you even just think you’ve scared some horses, go back, see the landowner, be humble…take a bottle of champagne.”
Doug Lane is reelected B.F.A. President. Ray Horan receives private pilot rating after training with Tom Ragland.
Mark Schilling starts up “Hot Shots” to hold B.F.A. competitive tasks on Sunday mornings. Map reading skills and target identification to be reviewed as well as training people to become B.F.A. certified observers.
Balloon Works and Galaxy Balloons go on the record as against bungee jumping from hot air balloons after death is reported from the activity. “Even if the balloons prove themselves to be adequate in this severe operating condition, bungee equipment malfunction, improper connection to the strongest parts of the balloon, carelessness and inexperience with proper tether techniques can and will lead to injury and death.”
Marion Nixon reports on Shawnee Balloon Rally, “The fall colors were out in all their glory and plenty of people to enjoy them, but also to block the roads.”
Carolyn Pauze reports on Hershey
Festival…good food, generous pilot packs,
landowners’ goodies bags, great accommodations, excellent weather briefings by
Dr. Richard Clark.
What was GEBA's role during /after the closure of
airspace as a result of the 9/11/01 events:
Once the Commercial Aircraft were allowed to return to the skies, sans their General Aviation (GA) counterparts,
we followed the events and supported the AOPA and BFA initiatives. This was accomplished via writing letters
to various government officials (congressmen, senators, FAA officials, National Security Council, etc). Note:
Internet sources of information listed below were very helpful in keeping abreast of the developments.
GEBA will continue to work with the various groups to protect our ability to fly.
What is GEBA's position on keeping members informed on changes to the NOTAMS?
GEBA defers to the sources listed below, along with your telephone calls to flight services, to provide the most
up-to-date information on Flight Restrictions to the ballooning community. Excellent sources of information on
current conditions are available on the Internet (see listing below), Flight Services, your local
FSDO, etc.
As the NOTAMS continue to change, PLEASE make sure you receive the LATEST information prior to flying.
Rick Jones (BFA President) sums it up nicely: "All pilots need to religiously abide by the restrictions, and not to cut any
corners. Our ability to return to unrestricted flying as before is dependent on our ability to be good citizens and
fly responsibly. Please be absolutely sure that your particular flight is authorized before taking off."
Internet Information Sources:
Websites:
1. AOPA's website - http://www.aopa.org - excellent source of information on the latest NOTAMS conditions
and the interpretations of it based on direct discussions with the FAA.
2. BFA website - http://www.bfa.net - shows what the BFA is doing to help, along with showing the information
on the NOTAMS that are balloon related (this site is not updated as quickly as
AOPA)
3. FAA's website - http://www.faa.gov - a little difficult to navigate (did you expect otherwise?)
4. DUATS website - http://www.duats.com - read the notes and you can download the
NOTAMS, along with your
weather information.
Global E-Mail list set up for balloonists:
Balloon Reflector (an e-mail based list for broadcasting an e-mail to everyone that has subscribed to
the list). -- The list generates a lot of e-mail, which one needs to weed thru for relevance. Rick Jones, BFA
president has been using this medium to keep the ballooning community up to date, in addition to posting the
information on the BFA website. Other members of the list have posted excerpts direct from the AOPA website.
(instructions on subscribing can be found within the GEBA website).