By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
“There’s one coming up behind you! Careful, there’s one under you coming up fast!”
I took my job as spotter very seriously – especially at 1,000 feet! Besides, it is not a good idea to upset the pilot.
In anticipation of the opportunity to meet up with old acquaintances, Ingrid and Steve Martell of Sparks, Nevada, and currently new snow birds in Mesquite; and taking advantage of their soft hearts, looking forward to once again being on their balloon “Obsession’s” crew, I arose at 4 A.M. on Saturday, January 23, and headed for the 5th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Casablanca Resort in Mesquite.
According to event coordinator Christian Adderson, there were thirty-three balloons registered for the weekend’s event. The pilots come from all over the west including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming as well as Canada. This is the fifth year this event has been held. There were approximately 10 balloonists who have attended for all five years and three were new this year.
You might wonder what type of person gets up before the sun to take part in this event.
Perhaps it would be someone like Herb Calhoun of Mesquite who has done it for 4 years. This year his daughter Susie Brown came from Walla Walla, WA. to visit and was volunteered to help!
Or, perhaps, like Keith Evans of Santaquin, Utah, who was on the crew for 15 years and has been flying for 3 years. His balloon: ‘Smiley’s Dream’ has become a family affair.
Or, maybe, like Eldridge Johnson of Henderson who recently retired after 35 years as a 747 pilot at United Airlines. He is currently training to become a balloon pilot and follows the events to obtain more information.
The event is supervised by the Balloon Meister who is in charge of the pilots and Flight Operations and all the ground details. This year that job fell to Gayle McCoy. Then there is the Safety Crew headed by retired Lovelock, Nevada Sheriff, Richard Machado. He and his crew try to educate the attendees on the hazards associated with balloons and what to watch out for….keeping the crowds back….and keeping an eye on smokers. The balloon and its operation are in the hands of the pilot and their crew. The pilot is FAA licensed with a ‘lighter than air license.’
A pilot briefing of weather conditions is held, the pilot balloon – or pi ball – is launched and watched intently to obtain the wind direction – the lead balloon (this year “Moonshine’ piloted by Don Stockley of Murray, Utah) launches carrying the American Flag to the strains of the National Anthem and the crews begin to assemble their balloons.
So, exactly what does the crew do? The first step is to wrestle the giant tarps into position on the ground so that the balloon, or envelope, material – which is ripstop nylon – can be spread out over them – all 260 pounds of fabric. The cords must be kept straight and at the correct angle, then the wicker basket, which weighs a mere 350 pounds, is set up. A fan blows 3,000 pounds of cold air into the envelope to inflate it while the crew wrestles with the cords to keep the balloon in the proper position. Then the burner is turned on and the balloon slowly begins to rise as the hot air fills it.
Soon the pilot and a few members of the crew climb into the basket. This year Ingrid Martell allowed me the great pleasure of riding in her balloon “Obsession” which explains her passion for the past 14 years! Instructions are given on proper stance when landing – hold onto both sides of the basket, knees bent. Don’t fall over. And never, ever exit before the pilot gives the order.
And we launch!
It is the most amazing sensation as one rises into the atmosphere and people change into ants, cars become toys and balloons become bright pebbles. As the earth grows smaller, a new perspective of the significance of everything is gained. Too soon we begin to watch for high electrical wires as we look for a large enough area in which to land at the speed we will be going. The chase crew has been tracking the balloon and is there as soon as we touch down. We immediately begin to ‘tear down’ the whole system in exact reverse order.
Soon we are loaded into the chase truck and head back to the headquarters to prepare for the next day’s flight. But our souls and spirits remain aloft in the wonder of the greatness of this small globe.
