Balloon Fiesta 2008

A place to discuss all activities related to the Great Outdoors & Camping
User avatar

Topic author
Smiliesafari
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2667
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by Smiliesafari »

Here ya go. This is more fun than the law allows.


Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

nitropyro
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 177
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:00 am

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by nitropyro »

thats sweet looks like fun i want to be in the cow ballon. lol was that the chikfila ballon?
Danny
Danny im 21 year old with an 89 astro bbc 9in bagged 20's & 18's
User avatar

GEJ
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
Location: Rochester,NY

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by GEJ »

Just the best,very,very nice.I enjoyed each one.Thanks,Gary.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.

midnighthunder89
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: Birmingham, MI

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by midnighthunder89 »

That is awesome I have never seen any different kinds besides the basic balloon looking ones. I like the cow other fun balloons. thanks for sharing. where is that located?
99 sle awd safari
Another addition to cash for clunkers.
Image
User avatar

SoCalli V8
Retired
Retired
Posts: 1209
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by SoCalli V8 »

Awesome pictures.... Loved the Cow!

I have witnessed Skippy`s Smilie "sport balloon" in person, when I visitied Florida this past April. He built it himself, and it is highly manoverable, zippin` up and down and all over the sky....
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc

astrozam
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2770
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:57 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by astrozam »

Nice pics skip, thanks for sharin :cheers:

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

trybe13
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 410
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:53 pm
Location: Artesia, NM -a beautiful desert oasis
Contact:

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by trybe13 »

Thanx for sharing your pics Skip. Prayerfully I get to meet you and Cherie next season. My wedding anniversary occurs during that week, and the wife and I are making plans to be there. I was saddened to hear about the tragedies that occurred this year, but was relieved to know you and your wife were safe.
Image
90 Safari XT Hi Top
Lead guitarist for The Jericho Effect
Click the link to bang that head! http://www.ilike.com/artist/Trybe13
Image
User avatar

dunedog
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 686
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Pioneer Valley WMass

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by dunedog »

No strings attached !! Very cool Skip =D>
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
User avatar

astronut74
I sleep in my van
Posts: 287
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:37 pm
Location: Melbourne, FL

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by astronut74 »

Skip, have you had the opportunity to pilot any of the other balloons? I'm curious how much more difficult, if any, it would be to manuver one of those funky shaped balloons, say for instance, the bumble bees or the cow.
Image
I'd have to say, this is my favorite right here. Having never seen a balloon in flight after dark, I can only imagine it's got to be pretty cool.
Steve O

94 2WD Astro EXT
179,000 miles and counting
Going from an 8 seater to a 4 seater
User avatar

Topic author
Smiliesafari
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2667
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by Smiliesafari »

The cow is "Airabelle". She belongs to Creamland Dairy. The envelope alone weighs 910 lbs. The envelope is the fabric part of the balloon. She's very popular with the crowds.
This event is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It's held in October. It started in 1972 and has grown from the original 13 balloons to more than 850. I currently own one of the original 13. (Not the Smilie).
As Darren said, the Smilie is a home built. I and several friends pooled our skills and built the entire system. Since it is a home built it falls into the "Experimental" category of VFR aircraft.
Hey James, Sorry we couldn't meet up. That week is also our anniversary. Lets celebrate together next year.
On a more serious note, the accident was a tragedy. This is two years in a row that there has been a death. Both were powerline strikes. In our on going training and safety seminars the hazards of powerlines are a never ending topic of discussion. You just don't go near them. PERIOD!! We all know the end result.
I have not flown any of the special shapes. They do fly a bit different. The real reason I stay clear of them is the amount of work that's involved. The largest special shape is the Energizer Bunny. The envelope weighs 1600 lbs. It has a crew of 12. By comparison, my little Smilie envelope weighs only 140 lbs. and my crew is Cherie.
An interesting story about the Eagle. This is the second one. During the first inflation of the first one, in a field of very dry grass, the grass was ignited and the flame got out of control and the Eagle went up in flames. The owner said, "Oh Well, lets build another one." That's probably a $100,000 balloon.
Thanks for the responses. There's more pics at BalloonFiesta.com.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
User avatar

GEJ
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
Location: Rochester,NY

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by GEJ »

Skip,Do you have to do continuous training for the FAA or are there any FAA rules that apply to ballons??.What you have to do to fly one??.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
User avatar

Topic author
Smiliesafari
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2667
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by Smiliesafari »

Gary, all aircraft are regulated somewhat by the FAA. In order to obtain a balloon license you must take training in a balloon, pass a written exam, pass a check ride with a designated FAA examiner. It's done in steps. Student license, private license and then a commercial license. The balloon is also required to be inspected once a year or every 100 hours by an A&P licensed inspector. Balloons are also required to be registered with the FAA and they must carry an airworthiness certificate. A log book is also required. The log book contains all flight time, all maintenence records and the annual inspection. Once you pass the initial FAA training and obtain your license you're good to go. We have an annual safety seminar here in central Florida. You are not required by the FAA to attend but it is a real good idea. It's good to keep up with all of the new info available and to brush up on all of the old stuff. You can never be too safe.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
User avatar

T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by T.Low »

Wow! Great pics! I like the arial shots that show a lot of balloons in one photo. What a blast that must have been. I like the ones on the ground to, taken as they were filling, with the Tacoma in between them. You really get a sense of their size that way. Brilliant colors, fun shapes. Thanks for posting them. That must have been a great time.
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

GEJ
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
Location: Rochester,NY

Re: Balloon Fiesta 2008

Post by GEJ »

Smiliesafari wrote:Gary, all aircraft are regulated somewhat by the FAA. In order to obtain a balloon license you must take training in a balloon, pass a written exam, pass a check ride with a designated FAA examiner. It's done in steps. Student license, private license and then a commercial license. The balloon is also required to be inspected once a year or every 100 hours by an A&P licensed inspector. Balloons are also required to be registered with the FAA and they must carry an airworthiness certificate. A log book is also required. The log book contains all flight time, all maintenence records and the annual inspection. Once you pass the initial FAA training and obtain your license you're good to go. We have an annual safety seminar here in central Florida. You are not required by the FAA to attend but it is a real good idea. It's good to keep up with all of the new info available and to brush up on all of the old stuff. You can never be too safe.

Thanks for the info.Honestly the closest I have ever come to seeing one is like at a fair and thoses where tied down.Those colors are just outstanding.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
Post Reply