Balloon Training

[cherokeeflyboy]

Ever since I went to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque,NM several years ago I have always wanted to learn to fly one. I have my PPSEL so I thought it might be fun to add on the rating. Would help to solve my current BFR situation (sort of, I have my 3rd phase of Wings so I am "legal")
Does any one know of an Instructor in my neck of the woods? (Wildwood, NJ)
I have half hearted looked on the Web but a recommendation from someone
would be appreciated........................................KD

 

[SkyHog]

Ever since I went to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque,NM several years ago I have always wanted to learn to fly one. I have my PPSEL so I thought it might be fun to add on the rating. Would help to solve my current BFR situation (sort of, I have my 3rd phase of Wings so I am "legal")
Does any one know of an Instructor in my neck of the woods? (Wildwood, NJ)
I have half hearted looked on the Web but a recommendation from someone
would be appreciated........................................KD

as I'm sure you'd imagine - there are quite a few here in the 'burque. Might be wort a trip out here to get the training at the Mecca for balloons....

 

[Ed Guthrie]

Ever since I went to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque,NM several years ago I have always wanted to learn to fly one. I have my PPSEL so I thought it might be fun to add on the rating. Would help to solve my current BFR situation (sort of, I have my 3rd phase of Wings so I am "legal")
Does any one know of an Instructor in my neck of the woods? (Wildwood, NJ)
I have half hearted looked on the Web but a recommendation from someone
would be appreciated........................................KD

There is a commercial balloon operation at Smoketown. I don't have contact information, but I'm sure if you called Mel Glick (airport owner) via Smoketown Airport/Glick Aviation he would hook you up with the balloon company's owner. If you can't find a Smoketown Airport phone number shoot me a note on the side.

 

[terzap]

I used to live out in NJ about twelve years ago (edited to add--maybe longer than that, old age makes me forget!) , and Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren county had TONS of balloonists. (I even used to be on chase crew for some of them!)

This link has a lot of phone numbers that might help. Any of those places should connect you with a lighter than air CFI. Good luck.

http://www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/Outdoor_Adventure/HOT_AIR_BALLOON_RIDES_NJ.htm

terry

 

[cherokeeflyboy]

Thanks Terry,
Just what I was looking for.
Ed , I just might take you up on your gracious offer.
Nick, I wish now that I had done just what you suggested when I was living there(1986-87) Albur. is a great City!

 

[Ghery]

Back in the late 1970s we lived in Napa, CA. It was not at all uncommon to wake up on a weekend morning to the sound of burners overhead. Don't know if any instruction is available around there.

Looks like my wife and I may get our first hot air balloon ride this October, in South Africa. I've got a standards committee meeting in Cape Town and we're going over to Kruger National Park afterwards for a 4 day safari. A balloon ride is one of the options. I'll take lots of pictures if we take the ride.

 

[sere]

My dad and his wife was supposed to fly in this this everning up in Wichita, Ks. Wind were to high. Now that is a supprise for Kansas.

 

[Henning]

Ever since I went to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque,NM several years ago I have always wanted to learn to fly one. I have my PPSEL so I thought it might be fun to add on the rating. Would help to solve my current BFR situation (sort of, I have my 3rd phase of Wings so I am "legal")
Does any one know of an Instructor in my neck of the woods? (Wildwood, NJ)
I have half hearted looked on the Web but a recommendation from someone
would be appreciated........................................KD

To me, Balooning is the most dangerous form of aviation. You are hauling pressurized tanks of fuel you are not allowed to carry in a plane, and you are shooting flames at a rather thin nylon/flamable synthetic material in order to stay aloft, and if you have a surface wind of over 5 or so knots when you need to land, you're screwed, it's probably gonna hurt. I don't like operating equipment with that minimal of control.