Red,White & Blue Balloon Festival

[1gary]

I am going to watch Skip(Smiliesafari) fly this weekend.Anyone want to join in here is the info and a good time to meet up.This is a great family event.

Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival in Letchworth State Park

[1gary]

Once again as I have met Skip once before at this hot air balloon event two yrs ago,for me the main thing about going to it,is spending time with Skip and his wife Cherrie.Both of them are two of the nicest most giving people you would ever want to be with.Skip has been flying hot air balloons for ten yrs that is a licensed expert I learn about flying balloons that I learn from each time I see him.Understanding air currents,mechanics of the balloon, seeing landing areas,makes flying one of this balloons tons more than you would think.This is a 30 balloon invitation only premiere hot air balloon event where no where in the country has air currents that provide those currents to clear the tree line and then drop into the gorge having the air currents push the balloons through out the length of the gorge.There is two launch times because of the air currents.Also regulations because this are fly by vision of one hour after sunrise and back on the ground one hour before sunset.

Cherrie is also very knowledgeable in flying these balloons because of her driving the chase Safari van and needing to know where the landing site might likely be.

To be continued..............

[1gary]

So I got to the park too late to see the launch.I also bought some cheap batteries to power the camera which I got three shots off them and then the cheap batteries died.Here is a shot of some of the balloons coming out of the gorge and some spotting a possible landing site.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon329-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon330-1.jpg

This is the launch site:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon336-1.jpg

Across from the launch site is only one of many views of the gorge:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon337-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon338-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon339-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon340-1.jpg

The local land owners know about the balloon fest.It's the ballooner's and chase crews responsible to maintain good relations with the local people.The ballooners pick a safe landing site with the air current being the primary factor in the end result.

[http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon331-1.jpg

The burners use propane for fuel.Skip's balloon uses two 10 gallon tanks.Which he said depending on the weather conditions he can fly just over 2 hrs.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon334-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon332-1.jpg


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon333-1.jpg

Here is Skip and the chase Safari which has a Mustang R & P that ends the replacement of idler arms which Astro's/Safari's are know for and a custom mounted 12 bolt rear end.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon335-1.jpg

[1gary]

I have redone the pics so they are more the size to see.

[34_40]

Looks like the weather was great and some wonderful scenery! Thanks for sharing them.