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United States Hot Air Balloon Team "An adventure to last a lifetime."
October 1st dawned crisp and clear, and I was ready
to partake in an experience to last a lifetime. Even
though I had flown in hot air balloons before, it's a
brand new adventure every time. The launch site
was perched on a county estate just outside of Saint
Peters, PA, and a stones throw from French Creek
National Park. As the sun peaks over the summit to
the east, the crew readies the balloon and basket for
our morning flight. Fall is one of the best times of the
year to take a hot air balloon ride, but this morning
was exceptional. While the experienced and
extremely hospitable crew of US Hot Air Balloon Team makes all the necessary preparations, they'll often ask
if any of the passengers want to help out. This is the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with their FAA
Commercially Certified Pilots and their equally competent crew members.
Even though this was an early morning flight,
everyone was at their best. The air was fresh and
cool, and the only sounds you heard were that of
nature, waking up around you.
The photo on the right shows our Pilot, Stan Hess
(left) and Brian Brown, a student Pilot, who has been
working with Stan for over 8 years -- standing inside
one of the balloons as it inflates.
The United States Hot Air Balloon Team was
launched in 1987 to provide, fly, and maintain hot air
balloons for the purpose of involving pilots,
passengers, and spectators in the sport of hot air
ballooning.
The United States Hot Air Balloon Team has
successfully booked National and International flights
and tours in balloons having custom designed panels
with corporate identification. They are the only
company of this type in the world. They are able to
schedule a hot air balloon flight for individuals,
couples, or groups at their Headquarters, where this flight took place, or from just about anywhere else in the
U.S. or abroad.
In a matter of minutes, the balloon is filled with just
regular air by powerful fans; which is then heated to
provide the balloon with lift. The basket or Gondola is
made of very sturdy material and can weight several
hundred pounds, empty. You get a very secure
feeling when you climb into it, but it never ceases to
amaze me, with a flick of the wrist, a skilled pilot can
lift it and all of us up like we were weightless. The
Pilot always carries more than enough fuel for each
scheduled flight and controls them from his cockpit
position in the basket. These valves control specially
designed gas burners, safely positioned away from
passengers.
The Pilot also has special controls that allows him to
bleed air out of the balloon by releasing it through
special vents - engineered into each balloon. This allows the Pilot to lower, steer, and even gently spin the
balloon to allow each passenger the best possible view. This process also allows the skilled Pilot to take
advantage of air currents and wind directions at different altitudes, virtually allowing him to travel in different
directions and at different speeds. It really is quite a remarkable journey and equally educational.
The Pilot follows very strict safety procedures and
performs numerous pre-flight checks before any
passengers are loaded. And only after they determine
which way the wind will carry them, will the Chief Pilot
give the command to load passengers and lift off. The
Chief Pilot will then instruct the lead balloon to
commence its flight. Carefully watching the direction
and distance of the lead balloon, the Chief Pilot will
then begin his take off, always maintaining a safe
proximity to the other balloon or balloons.
Even though I have been in hot air balloons many
times, and only slightly distracted by keeping my
camera going, I hardly even feel lifting off - that's how
smooth it seems. Also interesting, but an equally
important factor to know about hot air ballooning, no
matter what the wind is doing, you, as a passenger will
rarely feel it. Because the wind is what actually moves
you and the balloon from place to place, you feel like
you're being carried along like a feather.
Even though each balloon is equipped with the latest in
avionic instrumentation, it's always good to have an experienced Pilot that knows the local terrain. Our Pilot,
Stan Hess, was able to guide us through the countryside like we were on a monorail.
He knew where to point us for the best possible views and he was able to point out even the slightest details
of what these gorgeous vistas had to offer. I must add, that when you're so caught up in all the beauty and
marvelous scenery, you tend to forget you are actually flying. It is so quiet and peaceful up there, just floating
along unhurried and free. Now, with that special someone, it would have to be one of the most romantic times
one could ever experience.
That all said, you still may want to fully charge your camera's batteries and make sure that you bring plenty of
film or storage cards. But, if this trip is supposed to be a romantic one, let her use the camera, if you know
what I mean... The only thing that you should be concentrating on is HER!
After about two hours of flying and basking in this sun-drenched Fall morning, I can now see, the "chase
vehicles" are in pursuit of us, below (actually, to the right). As I fear, the end of this joyous occasion is way too
near. Damn their efficiency.
But all good things must end, right? What
more could one ask for? The trip was
fantastic, the weather couldn't have been
better and it was all due (even the weather) to
the extra efforts and work done by the great
folks of The United States Hot Air Balloon
Team, their Pilots, their crew members, and,
of course, to all of the great passengers that
attended today's flight.
It was a perfect landing to end a perfect flight.
An experience that'll be tough to beat, but not
tough to book again and again.
Here's wishing that you become as smart as
we were and book your next life long memory
aboard any of the good ships of The United
States Hot Air Balloon Team. Farewell from
(passengers listed left to right) Iris Gestram,
Gil Bland, Jeff and Irene Mann, Jane, slightly
buried, Gehret, and Keith Konell, along with
the crew, (Stan's daughter, Angie Frame and
his grandsons), plus, of course, the best
person of all, the Pilot, Stan Hess (far right).
And no, I am never in the pictures, but this is Fred Blesgraeft, the faceless guy behind that camea, saying
good bye and take it from me -- a guy that has taken several hot air balloon trips -- in several different places
in California, this was the best, the smoothest, the most organized, and most rewarding flight that I ever had
the pleasure to go on.
Oh, by the way, if you book a flight with these guys and don't mention this article. Well, let's just say that the
next time I'm up there, you better park your car in the garage.
(As of this posting, USHAB is still going strong - kudos to Stan Hess and his team!)
© Copyright 2011, MainLineBiz.com. All rights reserved.
...makes cruisin’ The Main Line easier!
United States Hot Air Balloon Team "An adventure to last a lifetime."
October 1st dawned crisp and clear, and I was ready
to partake in an experience to last a lifetime. Even
though I had flown in hot air balloons before, it's a
brand new adventure every time. The launch site
was perched on a county estate just outside of Saint
Peters, PA, and a stones throw from French Creek
National Park. As the sun peaks over the summit to
the east, the crew readies the balloon and basket for
our morning flight. Fall is one of the best times of the
year to take a hot air balloon ride, but this morning
was exceptional. While the experienced and
extremely hospitable crew of US Hot Air Balloon Team makes all the necessary preparations, they'll often ask
if any of the passengers want to help out. This is the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with their FAA
Commercially Certified Pilots and their equally competent crew members.
Even though this was an early morning flight,
everyone was at their best. The air was fresh and
cool, and the only sounds you heard were that of
nature, waking up around you.
The photo on the right shows our Pilot, Stan Hess
(left) and Brian Brown, a student Pilot, who has been
working with Stan for over 8 years -- standing inside
one of the balloons as it inflates.
The United States Hot Air Balloon Team was
launched in 1987 to provide, fly, and maintain hot air
balloons for the purpose of involving pilots,
passengers, and spectators in the sport of hot air
ballooning.
The United States Hot Air Balloon Team has
successfully booked National and International flights
and tours in balloons having custom designed panels
with corporate identification. They are the only
company of this type in the world. They are able to
schedule a hot air balloon flight for individuals,
couples, or groups at their Headquarters, where this flight took place, or from just about anywhere else in the
U.S. or abroad.
In a matter of minutes, the balloon is filled with just
regular air by powerful fans; which is then heated to
provide the balloon with lift. The basket or Gondola is
made of very sturdy material and can weight several
hundred pounds, empty. You get a very secure
feeling when you climb into it, but it never ceases to
amaze me, with a flick of the wrist, a skilled pilot can
lift it and all of us up like we were weightless. The
Pilot always carries more than enough fuel for each
scheduled flight and controls them from his cockpit
position in the basket. These valves control specially
designed gas burners, safely positioned away from
passengers.
The Pilot also has special controls that allows him to
bleed air out of the balloon by releasing it through
special vents - engineered into each balloon. This allows the Pilot to lower, steer, and even gently spin the
balloon to allow each passenger the best possible view. This process also allows the skilled Pilot to take
advantage of air currents and wind directions at different altitudes, virtually allowing him to travel in different
directions and at different speeds. It really is quite a remarkable journey and equally educational.
The Pilot follows very strict safety procedures and
performs numerous pre-flight checks before any
passengers are loaded. And only after they determine
which way the wind will carry them, will the Chief Pilot
give the command to load passengers and lift off. The
Chief Pilot will then instruct the lead balloon to
commence its flight. Carefully watching the direction
and distance of the lead balloon, the Chief Pilot will
then begin his take off, always maintaining a safe
proximity to the other balloon or balloons.
Even though I have been in hot air balloons many
times, and only slightly distracted by keeping my
camera going, I hardly even feel lifting off - that's how
smooth it seems. Also interesting, but an equally
important factor to know about hot air ballooning, no
matter what the wind is doing, you, as a passenger will
rarely feel it. Because the wind is what actually moves
you and the balloon from place to place, you feel like
you're being carried along like a feather.
Even though each balloon is equipped with the latest in
avionic instrumentation, it's always good to have an experienced Pilot that knows the local terrain. Our Pilot,
Stan Hess, was able to guide us through the countryside like we were on a monorail.
He knew where to point us for the best possible views and he was able to point out even the slightest details
of what these gorgeous vistas had to offer. I must add, that when you're so caught up in all the beauty and
marvelous scenery, you tend to forget you are actually flying. It is so quiet and peaceful up there, just floating
along unhurried and free. Now, with that special someone, it would have to be one of the most romantic times
one could ever experience.
That all said, you still may want to fully charge your camera's batteries and make sure that you bring plenty of
film or storage cards. But, if this trip is supposed to be a romantic one, let her use the camera, if you know
what I mean... The only thing that you should be concentrating on is HER!
After about two hours of flying and basking in this sun-drenched Fall morning, I can now see, the "chase
vehicles" are in pursuit of us, below (actually, to the right). As I fear, the end of this joyous occasion is way too
near. Damn their efficiency.
But all good things must end, right? What
more could one ask for? The trip was
fantastic, the weather couldn't have been
better and it was all due (even the weather) to
the extra efforts and work done by the great
folks of The United States Hot Air Balloon
Team, their Pilots, their crew members, and,
of course, to all of the great passengers that
attended today's flight.
It was a perfect landing to end a perfect flight.
An experience that'll be tough to beat, but not
tough to book again and again.
Here's wishing that you become as smart as
we were and book your next life long memory
aboard any of the good ships of The United
States Hot Air Balloon Team. Farewell from
(passengers listed left to right) Iris Gestram,
Gil Bland, Jeff and Irene Mann, Jane, slightly
buried, Gehret, and Keith Konell, along with
the crew, (Stan's daughter, Angie Frame and
his grandsons), plus, of course, the best
person of all, the Pilot, Stan Hess (far right).
And no, I am never in the pictures, but this is Fred Blesgraeft, the faceless guy behind that camea, saying
good bye and take it from me -- a guy that has taken several hot air balloon trips -- in several different places
in California, this was the best, the smoothest, the most organized, and most rewarding flight that I ever had
the pleasure to go on.
Oh, by the way, if you book a flight with these guys and don't mention this article. Well, let's just say that the
next time I'm up there, you better park your car in the garage.
(As of this posting, USHAB is still going strong - kudos to Stan Hess and his team!)
© Copyright 2011, MainLineBiz.com. All rights reserved.
...makes cruisin’ The Main Line easier!