March 8, 2010 

Welcome to the CTBA's Website. 

Member's Page   Check in here for CTBA Newsletters, Roster, etc.

Balloon flight planned for this weekend. Check 512-479-9421 Friday afternoon.

Safety Seminar ReCap 

March 2010 General Meeting

Monday, March 8, 2010
Program Topic: Navigating New CTBA, FAA & BFA Websites
Plus special balloon movie clips. 

By Lloyd with Gary's magic wi-fi box. 

 Tidbits

In the movie Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges, there is a short hot air balloon scene. The pilot is John Lewis, former Texas pilot who moved to Sante Fe and has a balloon business there. The scene looks like it was just stuck in there to me. Has no relevance to the story in my opinion, but Bridges did an excellent job. — Rusty

March 8 is the Centennial of Licensed Women Pilots.  The first woman worldwide to receive a pilot certificate was a French balloonist named Raymonde de Laroche.  On Monday, March 8, women all over the world will be attempting to set a record for the most women pilots introducing a woman/girl to flight on that day. http://www.centennialofwomenpilots.com

Balloon Cops

 

 

Vernon, BC, Canada

 

I just flew back from Vernon, BC, Canada. It was great flying in the snow and over the frozen Lake Swan. They had a Hare and Hound competition and a Key Grab and all were in the middle of the lake. If you have not experienced flying in the middle of winter up north, it is truely different. We first of all didn't start our briefing until 8:00am and flew around 9:30am. My wife would love not getting up so early. Then, the afternoon was flying at around 3:30pm. Becasue we are in a valley, the winds are always light and variable. My first time landing on the lake made me cautions. Never had done that before. But, when I saw chase trucks on the lake, I realized that my balloon wasn't going to be a problem. I flew a 70,000 cu ft. balloon with two people and myself at a 173 degrees. The Canadian pilots were wonderful and full of laughter.

Ron Frusher
Manager of Balloon Operations
Curves International Inc.

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 1984 CTBA Newsletters have been scanned and uploaded.

 

 

 

 

Members can download all the PDF files from the Member's Page.