[June Update (June 15th 2020)]

I just wanted to send a quick note to all the HAB members,

Update on my health

I have nearly made a full recovery from my homoerotic stroke in late February.  I have a few tests left to complete but the only remaining symptoms are some dizziness and loss of strength.  The dizziness happens mostly when I stand from sitting or if I bend over to work on something then stand back up.  The strength is coming back as I do more and more around the house and doing some yard work.  Again I must say, I am fully aware that I am an extremely fortunate to have come thru this nearly unscathed!  I have since learned that only 26% survive and 60% of the ones who do survive have permanent issues or disabilities.  I thank all of my Balloon Family for their continued support.

Face Masks

Since my return from the “Extended Vacation” (in the hospital).  I have stayed very busy making face masks out in the shop.  We looked at a dozen different designs and chose this version.  They are light weight, comfortable, washable and you can insert additional filter material inside should you wish.  We were selling them about as fast as I could make them.  One balloon ride operation purchased 100 of them to sell to their passengers who show up to fly without a mask.  WELL,,,  My wife stumbled on 100% cotton (all of our masks are 100% cotton) Hot Air Balloon Print.  We sold nearly 100 of them on the very first day we put them up on the site!   Since then we have sold another 100 of them.  Currently it takes me about 8-10 minutes to make one mask.  Production is backed up!  If you have purchased a mask on the HAB site and have not received a shipping email notice, do not fret, you will receive an email in the next few days letting you know we have shipped your order.  We did not anticipate the demand but, we promise you will be pleased with your product.

Equipment 4Sale

Once again I would like all of you whom are looking for equipment or have balloon equipment for sale to have a look at the Equipment 4Sale section on HotAirBalloonist.com.  We have posted about 40 new items as well as created three new categories.  The categories make it easy for you to find exactly what you are looking for. These specific categories also make it easy for you to post your equipment in the correct category for others to find.  Remember, if you are a member you can check the “Notify me of Replies” button at the bottom of your equipment listing. If you check the “Notify me of Replies” button when anyone posts a reply to your advertisement the system will send you an instant email!  (Super handy feature).  But remember you need to be logged in when you create your advertisement to be able to follow the post.  The entire Equipment 4Sale section is also open to the public.  You do not need to be a member on the site to advertise your equipment!  Posting equipment for sale is FREE to anyone.  You can tell us all about your equipment and add all the contact information and your location.  You can also post up to 20 MB of photos!  That is 100 photos if they are less than 200 KB each.  There is a Video Tutorial about posting stuff for sale.  So have a look today and post anything you no longer need for others to see.

Please your membership helps us keep this site going.  If you are not a paid member please consider becoming a paid member today.  A general membership is only $20 for an entire year!

Thank you for all you do for the Balloon World.

Jeff A Thompson

[I am simply speechless. (June 5th 2020)]

OK, those of you whom know me personally may have just laughed out loud, however, I am truly humbled & eternally grateful from the support I have received from the balloon community.  Thank you everyone for your support, prayers, kind words and amazing encouragement as I continue to get my life as close to normal as I can.  I have gone nearly two weeks now with almost no headaches.  My physical abilities are getting much better and the strength is slowly coming back.  I still feel like I am on a pontoon boat in the ocean.  Sometimes the ocean is calm and sometimes I am in rough seas.  I have gone out for a short drive on my own the other day but only a short trip around the block.  The rest of the time my wife Gina is my chauffer.   I have a neurologist appointment on next Tuesday (the brain jokes have already started).  My vitals have been real good the last month.  We have had to make an adjustment in my blood pressure meds since I have lost more than 30 pounds.  Overall I am doing quite well.   I thank everyone for their continued support and words of encouragement.

Equipment 4 Sale

We have made a few changes to the Equipment 4 Sale section on the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  Here is a quick list of the features.

• We have 22 different categories of equipment so you can find exactly what you want quickly.
• Anyone can post equipment.  You do not need to be a member.
• You can add as much text, contact information and up to 20 MB of photos!
• Anyone can post a reply to any equipment. (Ask question’s make offers and more).
• Members can follow their post and get instant email notifications of replies.
• Members can edit or change their listing.
• Anyone can see the equipment listings.

If you have any balloon equipment for sale give the Equipment 4Sale section of the site a try.  Remember we are more than happy to help you and you DO NOT need to be a member to use the Equipment 4Sale section of the site.

New Articles and Blogs.

Since my stroke and with the pandemic I have had some extra time to devote to the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  I have posted some items in the Current News area of the site.  The Current News section has several great pages within it.  When you mouse over or click on Current News on the primary navigation bar.  There are several links that pop up on the top menu bar.

“The Covid Convo” This link will take you to a sub-category inside the Hot Topics forum on the front page.  There are many topics inside “The Covid Convo” category.  Feel free to log in and express your ideas. 

“Ballooning in the News” This page has a headline scrubber that scours the internet looking for any news items about ballooning.   You can find out about stuff before it hits the TV news or even the Reflector.  You will also find out about balloon related stories that you may have otherwise never known. 

Articles and News page.  This page has Articles written by our members and another News Scrubber that may find items the first scrubber does not.  This page also has a very helpful section on the right column that has Balloon Festival News, Upcoming events, Status updates and recently posted topics and more.  You can gain a bunch of information on one single page.  Here is an article I just posted.

The Blogs page.  Members can start their own blog on this page. Create a blog about how you are handling balloon flights and the Covid-19.  Start a blog about your favorite balloon adventure or event.  Tell us a story.  Here is a blog I recently posted about my stroke and commercial passenger flying.

As always the site is for YOU!  The site was set up and made for all things ballooning.  Remember the Members side of the site contains even more stuff to see and do.

Share your knowledge.  Start a club, Create a photo gallery, Look for equipment, Post an event on the calendar, Stick a pin in the member map, Look at the files in the Download Center. Watch some of the many “How To” video tutorials, Spend some time looking over the HUNDREDS of Notable Balloonists Biographies in the Hall of Fame category.  You may learn some history about pioneers you did not know.  Hang out in one of the chat rooms. 

Most of all,,,  TELL YOUR FRIENDS!  The site works best when YOU are involved.  Send us a note if you want to see a new feature added to the site or if you need help using something on the site.

All the best to you all and….

Thank you for all you do for the balloon world.

Jeff A Thompson.

[More new stuff. (May 26th 2020)]

WE have just added another new feature.

As you are aware we are trying to promote our Equipment 4 Sale category on HotAirBalloonist.com.  Not only do we have 13 primary categories in the “Equipment 4 Sale category but we have many Sub-Categories that allow you to fine exactly what you are looking for quickly.  Each ad has pricing, Photos, Equipment Location and the contact information you need to contact the seller.  In addition you can post a reply directly on the site about the equipment and the HAB site will send an email to the seller!  WELL,  We have added a new feature to this fantastic area of the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  We now have a Twitter Promote button.  Once you have created your advertisement you can also promote it on the HotAirBalloonist.com twitter page with a mouse click.  Up at the top of your equipment ad right next to the Follow button is the twitter promote button.  Just click on the button and check the photos you want to include and send!  Keep in mind that this entire process is FREE!  There is a new video for you to watch about the Twitter Promote feature. 

Click here to watch the “How to make an ad” video.  Click here to watch the “Twitter Promote” video

[Thank you! Balloon World (May 25th 2020)]

I hope everyone is doing well. 

I am continuing to recover from my stroke.  Each day I gain more strength and try to stay busy.  I am still suffering some equilibrium issues but overall I seem to be doing extremely well.  I have so far done better than the doctors have expected.  I am currently making washable / reusable protective masks.  They are available in the store on HotAirBalloonist.com.  We have already sold out of the Navy Blue but have added new prints you may like.  They can be purchased online and we send them out in less than 24 hours.  Get yours today, while supplies last.

New Look and New Features.

We know you hate to have to log in all the time so we have addressed the issue of logging in.  All sites like Facebook, Amazon and others require users to log in, and we are no different.  There are private areas of the site for members only.  To help our members we have created a few different ways that may make logging in easier.  Once you have logged in you can select (remember me) and next time you will not need to remember your user name or password.  You can also use your Facebook or Twitter accounts to log into the site!  Even better yet using your phone or tablet you can save any page on the site as a bookmark or save to home screen and our new tablet icon will appear.  Then when you go to the site and log in ONCE and you will never have to log in again!   Here is how you set it up.  Go to any page and save the page to your device.  Then use the new link to go to the site and logged in.  Now just close the browser.  Now click the icon on your tablet or phone and POOF you are back on the site and logged in!  Pretty cool! 

Equipment 4 Sale

I know many of you use the Facebook groups for posting equipment for sale.  I have also looked at many of the balloon groups.  The issue I keep having is where to look? There must be 50 different groups on Facebook and how do you find what you are looking for?  If you need a tank you must look down the page past two dozen other posts to find the first one that has a propane tank and it’s not what you are looking for.  SO, post your stuff on HotAirBalloonist.com  There is NO COST to place an ad.  You can create an advertisement with up to 20MB’s of photos, Contact information and more.  The best part is you can post your item in a category that is relevant.  Tanks go in the Tanks forum and baskets go in the basket forum and trucks…  Well you get it.  There is even a video tutorial on HOW TO DO IT.  No reason not to!  If you need help just send us an email and we will call you and walk you thru the process!

BASKET CURTAINS

I have posted a bunch of stuff on Facebook about the clear vinyl curtains we have been producing for large ride baskets.  So far we have made curtain sets for 4 completely different baskets.  We have posted the Cut Sheets (patterns) online along with a downloadable basket measuring sheet an even a “How To” PowerPoint presentation.  All are FREE for download on the site.  Have a look at them on the HAB site and if you need curtains for your basket feel free to contact us.

Thank you goes out to everyone who has been so kind to me and my family as I have been recovering.  I will continue to be as much of a benefit to the balloon community as I can.  Your support the last few months has been extremely heartwarming. 

Thank you for all you do for the balloon world.

Jeff A Thompson

[Medical Second Class (May 19th 2020)]

Do you do rides? 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302, Pub.L. 115–254) is a United States federal law, enacted during the 115th United States Congress, which reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other programs till the end of fiscal year 2023. The bill was passed by Congress on October 3, 2018, and was signed by President Donald Trump on October 5, 2018.

SEC. 318. APPLICABILITY OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS TO OPERATORS OF AIR BALLOONS. (a) SHORTTITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018’’. (b) INGENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise section 61.3(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to second-class medical certificates), to apply to an operator of an air balloon to the same extent such regulations apply to a pilot flight crew-member of other aircraft. (c) AIRBALLOONDEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘air bal-loon’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘balloon’’ in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling)

My overview.

So from what I have read, for a pilot currently, to do balloon rides, you now must have a Second Class Medical.  High blood pressure if medicated is not an issue but diabetes even with medication is prohibited unless you receive a special exception.  We posted an article in the "Walkie Talkie" forum for more information if you wish.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

We have redone our equipment for sale section.  You may now post your equipment for sale with photos, all the information you want to post with your contact email, phone and anything else you want to add.  This is totally FREE to anyone who has balloon stuff for sale.  There is even a Video Tutorial on how to do it.  If you have equipment for sale or know someone who has point them our way.

Facebook and Twitter

You now can log into the site using your Facebook credentials or using your twitter account.  Just use the links at the top of the page and follow the prompts.

FaceMasks

We now have face masks in the store on HotAirBalloonist.com  They are Washable and Reusable.  We have a few colors in stock and they are shipped out to you the very day you place the order.  Have a look and get a few if you need them.  We have one operator who purchased 100 of them to sell to passengers who show up to fly without one.  Great idea!

 

Thank you all for what you do for the balloon world.

Back to sewing.

Jeff A Thompson

[Hi ALL (May 14th 2021)]

Hope everyone is well.

Please take the proper precautions to stay safe.  I know the numbers of Covid-19 cases go up and down about as fast as the stock market.  I do not believe that it is because of our activities as much as it is our method.  Wash your hands!  Don’t touch your face!  Wear a mask!  Use a wipe or bleach water and a towel to wipe off any items you bring into your home.  These are the precautions that will keep us ALL SAFE.

 

Basket Partitions.

We have just completed our first set of clear curtains for the large ride basket.  Looks like several ballooners around the country have done the same.  We heard a few very good tips from other pilots who use curtains.  Be very careful to explain to the passengers that the curtains are not to be used when climbing in or out of the basket.  They can also be a burden to pre-boarding your basket during a windy inflation.  I remember when we first started to use the Go-Pro cameras on a telescopic arm for in flight photos.  There was a learning curve at first and it was difficult, but before long it became a normal part of the routine. 

 

 

 

We will be building curtains for a double T basket next week.

Equipment 4 SALE.

We have made some changes on HotAirBalloonist.com for those of you who have equipment for sale.  Balloons, Baskets, Burners, Envelopes, Trailers, Trucks, Radios and even equipment transport!    We have categories for all things balloon related.   

Unlike other locations you may post your items for sale, our “Equipment4Sale” category has many Sub-Categories and forums so you can search and find exactly what you are looking for quickly. 

As a seller you can also post your equipment in the correct category where it will be found quickly and easily.  There are also locations were you can post a reply or ask a question of the seller. 

This service is FREE for both the seller and the buyer.

All we ask is that when you sell your equipment you remove your advertisement.

We have an online video tutorial about how to add your equipment and how to remove your advertisement when it sells.

As always,  If you need help just send me a note.  The Video Tutorial is very helpful, give it a watch.

 

So what are your new procedures?

We have an entire category on the HAB site dedicated to flying during the Covid-19 pandemic.  We would love to have your input.  There are many questions and if you have an idea, answer or opinion we would like to have you participate.  Here is the link to the category.

As always we welcome your participation and…

Thank you for all you do for the balloon world.

 

Jeff A Thompson

[New Stuff (May 2020)]

Every day things change.

If you have a balloon event and there will be a change of dates or any alteration please let us know.  We will update your information on our events calendar.  We are saddened to hear that the National Balloon Classic will not happen this year but hope that next years event is the best ever.

Balloon Clubs

I have been promising a video on using the Balloon Club feature on the HAB site.  They are up!  Three "How To" videos on the Balloon Club feature on the site.  Have a view and see the cool stuff you can do.  If you are a balloon ride operator purchase a "Ride Operators" membership this month and we will toss in THREE free ground crew memberships so you can start a club for yourself and your team.

The BFA and Covid-19

The Balloon Federation has posted a statement that all balloonists should read.  The very first category on the site is the BFA category.  Check out the forum BFA and you will see the first two topics are Covid-19 topics.   I believe they are well worth the time to read and well written.

The Recovery

I am still progressing each day.  As I learn more about what had happened, I realize each day I am a very lucky man.  For me at least the "Stay at home" order has given me the time to do a bunch of stuff on the HAB site.   I Still am somewhat weak physically but have no apparent impairments.  I still get dizzy from time to time, but take each day as a new chance to do more good things.

Thank you all for what you do for the balloon world.

Stay safe.

Jeff A Thompson

[Are you ready 2-FLY? (April 2020)]

CABIN FEVER

Many of us understand that phrase but unless you live in the Arctic Circle (until now) you may not understand what it feels like.  Seems now, more of us are feeling that way!  The desire to get out and do stuff is nearly overwhelming and completely understandable.  If you do decide to venture out please do it carefully.  Statistics are showing you can catch the Covid-19 about as easily as the flu but it is much more dangerous.  We know of a family where mom caught the virus and passed away in her 30’s during the time the husband spent caring for the mother, the husband became infected and also passed away.  He was also in his late 30’s.  They left two small children behind.  Please be careful.

How do we get back to flying? (Safely)

We have started a topic in the Hot Topics category in the “Walkie Talkie” forum on the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  We are looking for your input into this topic.  How do we start flying safely again?  Have a look at the topic and then post a response.

https://hotairballoonist.com/forum/index.php?/forum/510-hab-walkie-talkie/

Remember you must be logged in to view and respond.

A Great way to use the CLUB feature on HAB.

So you fly a few rides and go to a few events each year.  How does you crew know?  How about starting a club for you and your crew?   Purchase a “Balloon Ride Operators Membership” Then you get a 50% discount on crew memberships.  Then start a club for your Balloon.  Call it by your balloon name.  Make it a private club and invite your crew to join.  Now you have the ability to have a club calendar and a club newsletter and post events on the calendar and even create an RSVP for the events so your crew can sign up for any events you are planning to attend!  Sound COOL?  We will be making some Video Tutorials for exactly this.  The Features are currently available NOW on the HAB site.  If you do not want to wait for the Tutorials to be posted, just send me an email and I will be glad to get on the phone with you and walk you thru the feature live online!

The Member Map

This is still one of the COOLEST features on the HotAirBalloonist.com Site.  If you are a Member of the site you should have a pin in the map.  Imagine being able to find any balloon related service from a Ride Operation to a Pilot to a Repair Station and even balloon Events and even more anywhere in the U.S. and more.  We are now starting to get pins across the world.  Best of all you can separate the pins into one of many categories by simply unchecking the pins you do not want using the category box in the upper right side of the map.  We just finished updating all the Ride Operators, Balloon Clubs, Repair Stations and BFA Board members and HACD Board.  As always send us a note if you see something incorrect and let us know what needs fixed and we will jump right on it.

How’s your website?

This is a great time to give your website a facelift.  The First thing we would recommend is to become a member of HAB.  When you do you can create an advertisement for your Ride Operation on the HAB site in the Balloon Ride Category.  Here is a pre-view of what others have done.

https://hotairballoonist.com/forum/index.php?/topic/710-apex-balloons/

Next we would like to suggest that we help you with your site.  We have looked at almost all the Balloon Ride websites online.  Many are fresh and look wonderful but some could honestly use an update.  We can build a new (up to date) site for you and help you promote the site to get more visitors and increase balloon ride sales.  We can also provide several references of sites we have done for others for you to view.  So think about what you need and then let us know how we can help.

CHAT ROOMS,

Now with the “Stay at Home” stuff going on this is a great time to jump on the HAB site and join us in a chat room!  There are Public chat rooms where you can talk to other balloonists and even just random people or if you want to talk more “Shop” there are Members Only private chat rooms.  We even have a few area specific chat rooms and if you want a chat room for your flying area let us know.  We can create a room just for your flying area or group of pilots and crews.

 

 

 

NEWLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The BFA Hall of Fame committee has been working on a TON of new stuff.  The committee chairman Orvin Olivier has agreed to open one of their many private categories for the public.  Many of you may know that the HOF Committee uses the list of “NOTABLE BALLOONIST BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION” to draw names for possible submission to the BFA Board of Directors for inclusion into the National Balloon Museum Hall of Fame. 

The Hall of Fame committee has many lists of Balloonists, whom have been identified for each list.  The NOTABLE BALLOONIST LIST'S category is now open for your viewing.  If you know a Balloonist whom should be on any of the lists please contact the HOF Committee and submit a biography for the Balloonists Biographical.  To modify a BIO on file or to add a new BIO, please submit information to the BFA Hall of Fame Committee at    Notable Balloonists

Video Tutorials

We have been continually adding new video tutorials to the HAB site.  We have also been re-making some of our old videos from .swf format to .mp4 format so they will play on ALL of your devices.  Have a look around some of the new videos, you may find some cool features you did not know the site could do!

All for now

Please be safe and if you need any help with anything on the site do not hesitate to send me a note.  I am more than happy to help with whatever you need and if you have new ideas for the site we are happy to create something for our fellow ballooners.  Join the conversation in the “Walkie Talkie” on how we get back in the sky.

Thank you for all you do for the balloon world.

Jeff A Thompson

 

[Please Stay Safe (July 2017)]

An Update

As many of you know I suffered a stroke back in late February.  I spent most of March in the hospital; however, I am home now and doing better than expected.  The recovery has good days and bad days but all in all I am a very lucky man.  The current situation with the pandemic is difficult for all of us and the Thompson Family is also hunkered down like many of you.  We send out best wishes and prayers to those of you out there whom are still working daily to take care of the rest of us!  Thank you!

Welcome

Welcome to our new members on the site.  Welcome goes out to Greg Miller, Austin Aeronauts and Phil Glebe.  We encourage all balloonists to become at least a Registered Guest on the site.  We encourage everyone to become a paid member on the site since paid members have even more features of the site available to them.   The areas available, on the member’s side of the site are more than worth the modest membership fees.  Members also benefit from being able to download ANYTHING in the Download Center for FREE!  This feature alone can pay for your yearly membership.

THE MEMBER MAP

As many of you know I am working on the Member Map on HotAirBalloonist.com.  The Member Map is available to anyone who visits the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  The Member Map makes it easy to find balloon related services anywhere.  Just zoom in on the map, to any area and you will find pins marking balloon related services.  You can even remove pins you are not looking for by unchecking the box for the group categories you are not looking for.  Another fantastic feature of the Member Map is that any event listed on the HAB calendars automatically gets a pin stuck in the map.  For example if you have a Jr. Balloonists camp or have a safety seminar, post the event on the appropriate calendar and the calendar will place a pin in the map for you.  These pins have a calendar Icon on them and they are green in color.  You can see them currently on the member map in different locations all over the map.  You can also customize your pin in the map.  Here are a couple of screen shots of different pins with Logos or Photos added to the popup. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR SALE

Don’t forget we have a section on the site were you can post stuff for sale.  There are forums for just about anything you have to sell.  After I have finished with the Member Map I will be clearing out the old items that are no longer valid and looking to post new stuff for sale.  If you are a member on the site you can post anything you have for sale.  Best of all you can add contact information and photo’s and more.  You can also go back and edit or change anything you have posted.  We do ask please that you take them down when you have sold the items.

New Stuff

Stay tuned for new features being added to HotAirBalloonist.com and tell your friends to get involved.  Help us by posting a link to HotAirBalloonist.com on your site or balloon club or anywhere balloonists go.  Come join us in the chat room if you are on the web and looking around.

All for now. 

We wish to say Thanks to all those whom have sent best wishes to us either by mail or on Facebook or by email.  Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me and my family.  I will continue to post updates on Facebook as time permits. 

Thank you all for what you do for the balloon world.

Jeff A Thompson.

 

[Just a quick note (March 2020) First Post Stroke Newsletter.]

Thank you is simply not enough,

 

 For those who did not know,  I suffered a stroke.

 

I am home now. I wanted to send a note to say Thank you, and to give you a short update on my recovery and progress.  I am told the recovery from a stroke like mine could take months.  I am still a little light headed and get some headaches now and then.  I also suffer from dizziness and it is difficult to concentrate on things that have several steps involved.  BUT, there is good news.  My Neuro surgeon says these symptoms are all normal.  My last CT scan shows a normal healthy brain!  No permanent damage!  I have also suffered no physical impairments at all from my stroke.  So a full recovery is most likely.  I was very lucky that my wife changed her plans that morning and stopped back at the house and found me.  I am also extremely fortunate that my wife and mother got me medical attention right away.  Otherwise the outcome most likely would have been very different.  Now that I am home I am under the watchful eye of my wonderful (Amazing) wife Gina.  She is keeping me in check.  Each day I make progress.  Working some on the computer and taking walks outside.  Progress is slow and does not happen fast enough for me, but I am told it is happening.  I never had much use for Facebook till now.  Now Facebook seems like the best way to stay in touch.  We are all held up in our home, very much like many of you.  I certainly can use the time to heal.  (AGAIN) Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Please be safe.

Jeff & Gina (Wonder Woman)

 

ON another note.  Many of you have been to Indianola Iowa.  I do not care when you were there because the man I am going to tell you about has been there working behind the scenes for 50 years!  That is correct!  Arlan Brown has been a volunteer at the Indianola National Balloon Championships as well as the National Balloon Classic!  He will be turning 85 years old in a couple of days.  Please take time to send him a card or just send a happy birthday email to this email lab79@wgu.edu

They will make sure he gets it on his birthday.  He has voulenteered his time for 50 years and god knows how many thousands of hours.  Please take a moment and THANK HIM for his amazing dedication to an event that hundreds of pilots and thousands of ground crew love.

 

All for now. 

Jeff A Thompson (Still alive and kickin)

 

 

[Looking for a few good Members (Feb 2020) Just before my stroke.]

 

This newsletter was written and sent out on Feb 16th 2020.  This was the last letter before I suffered a Hemorragic stroke that put me into a coma for 5 days.  I spent most of the month of March in the intensive care unit.

 

We are going to have an open house!

Have you ever wondered what is inside the HotAirBalloonist.com  on the “Members” side of the site?  Did you know that at last count we had 45,000 files?   Hundreds of biographies, Hundreds of downloads,  Hundred’s of balloon related topics,  Public and Private Chat rooms, Balloon Clubs, Photo galleries, calendars,  Member Map and so much more.  So,  to provide a look into the site we are going to have an open house.    Starting today all areas of the site will be open for viewing to any guest who visits the site.  Come have a look at how big the site is and the fantastic content available to our paid members.

Are you on the MAP?

Take a moment and stick a pin in the Member Map!  Our Member map makes it easy to find a lost friend or a Ride Operation, Ground Crew….  BUT ONLY if you stick a pin in it.  Take a moment and have a look at the Member Map.  There is even a Video Tutorial on HOW TO PUT A PIN IN THE MAP.  Even if you are NOT A MEMBER of the site.  We have more than 700 pins in the map but with all the different categories we should easily have four times that!  Please help us create the best and easiest directory to balloon related people everywhere. 

Chat Rooms

We have said this before and will again.  We have several chat rooms on the HAB site.  Some of these are for members only but there are also PUBLIC chat rooms.  If you are involved in ballooning and would be willing to answer questions from the general public, then please stop in and hang out in one of the chat rooms and answer a few questions from the public.  Heck you may even be able to chat with an old friend or make a new one.  If you scroll down to the bottom of the Forums Page you will see a bar that shows how many members are logged in and how many guests are wandering around the site.  On average there are 100-200 people looking at the site.  We have had as many as 1300 people on the site at one time.  So come and chat a while when you have time.

Balloon Clubs,

First of all if you are a balloon club we want you listed on the Member Map.  Balloon clubs do a fantastic job of bringing new blood into the sport.  We want to help promote balloon clubs in any way we can.  We also want any balloon club to create an advertisement we will run on the site at no charge to the club.  Create an ad and we will link it directly to your website in hopes of sending a few new members your way.  For those who do not have a club but always wanted to start one HAB is your best friend.   You can create a club for FREE on the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  Best of all, your club can have all the same features of the HotAirBalloonist.com site!  You can have your own calendar,  Chat Room, Events calendar, Blog, topics, Photo Gallery and MORE.  You can create a club that is private, or invite only or open to all.  Check out the balloon clubs feature on the HAB site.

All for now.

It is my sincere hope that the HAB site can be of value to everyone.  Please keep in mind that the dues paid by our membership allow us to maintain this resource.  We would like for everyone to help support this site.  A General Membership for an entire year is only $20. You can also donate on our main page if you wish.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Jeff A Thompson.

[A New Year (Jan 2020)]

Welcome to 2020!

CALLING ALL BALLOONISTS.

Whether you are a BFA member or not we would encourage taking their survey.  The Balloon Federation is working with the FAA to help with the new regulations coming down the pipe.  We need as much data as we can to help them help us.  Please take the time to answer a few questions that can be a huge help to all of us.  Here is the link.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFA2020

The survey is very well done and does not take a tremendous amount of time.  Please help with your input!  The link is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week but will end in about a week.  So don’t forget about this.

 

Chat Rooms,

We are not seeing much in the way of activity in our chat rooms.  We have several private chat rooms and a few public ones.  When you are on the computer working on something, take a moment and log into a HAB chat room.  You may find yourself in a fantastic conversation with a fellow balloonist or even being able to pass on your passion to a curious potential crew member or future balloonist!  You just never know.

 

New Tutorials,

As many of you know there are dozens and dozens of video tutorials in the Download Center of HAB.  These videos can be super helpful with teaching how to use the site.  These tutorials explain how to use many of the features of the site.  When we first created them we used the Flash format.  This format has been phased out on the web and on many other platforms.  We have begun the process of making new tutorials in the MP4 format.  This allows for them to be played on any device at any time.

 

New Downloads

We have a new feature on the main forums (front) page.  This feature will show you, at a quick glance, the most recent additions to the download section.  For the near future this will be mostly the new video tutorials we are creating but we are also uploading new maps and other items as well.  This is a great way to keep up on what downloads are new on the site.

 

Advertisers

We are looking for a few advertisers for the site.  Do you sell balloons?  Do you sell a product that balloonist’s use?  Do you know someone who has products you have used?  Check out our banner advertising on the site.  Showcase your product to all balloonist’s.  Sign up is easy and available in the store.  You can have a banner up and running on the site in just moments.  We can even help build an ad for you if you wish.

 

Seminar Season,

Yes in deed it is Safety Seminar Season.  If you have a seminar and would like to have it placed on our calendar please send the details to me at Info@HotAirBalloonist.com and I am more than happy to post a listing for you!

 

All for now,

but THANK YOU all for the continued support for this site and all YOU DO for the balloon world.

 

O by the way, we have not seen you on the site since. {member_last_visit}

Jeff A Thompson.

Administrator for HotAirBalloonist.com

 

[Flying MAPS (Oct 2019)]

Flying Maps 

Imagine if you could click on a download link and import all your launch and landing sites into your iPad or other Apple device. Imagine receiving an email notifying you of a new launch and landing site!  For those of you who fly using a GPS or an iPad running HOTAIR you will love this new section in the HAB Downloads center.

HotAirBalloonist.com > Downloads > Launch and Land > Disney

We are currently working on maps for our flying area in the Disney World Florida area.  These maps are downloadable by any member of HotAirBalloonist.com when you are logged in.  Feel free to log in and download them and have a look at what we are building. 

Currently there are two files in the Disney sub-category. 

• Disney Area GPX file for Motion X
• Disney Area KML (HOTAIR App)

The HOTAIR app file.

Here is a photo of what the maps look like when viewed in the HOTAIR app.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the HOTAIR app, the launch and landing sites are color coded.  Airspace is placed over area. Waypoint pins are placed in the map with location information.  Location information can include: Owner name, phone, email, gate codes, directions or owners requests and more.

The Motion X file.

The Motion X file can be used in a couple of ways.  First it can be imported directly into the Motion X app on your tablet.  Second, it can be downloaded into your computer and then uploaded to your GPS.  We use the EasyGPS program for uploading to our GPS devices.

 

 

BEST OF ALL,

We have 24 pilots in the area using the FOLLOW feature on the site.  This means that any time a new file has been uploaded ALL the pilots in our area get an email notification with a direct link to the new files.  So the very moment that a map has been changed everyone is notified. 

Feel free to send me comments or suggestions or let me know if you would like something like this for your flying area.

Jeff A Thompson.  Info@HotAirBalloonist.com

 

[End of Summer (Sept 2019)]

How have you been?

Making some changes,

Since the beginning HotAirBalloonist.com was designed so “WE” balloonists could share anything and everything with each other.  HotAirBalloonist.com has a public face as well as a PRIVATE members only section.  HotAirBalloonist.com has something for everyone! HAB. is a storehouse of Information, Files, Photos, Documents and Presentations and so much more. 

We also created a membership called the Registered Guest Membership.  This was a FREE membership that allowed Balloonists from all over to participate in areas of the site that were for members only and to participate at no cost.  This system worked for nearly two years till some enterprising spammers got into the site and started posting thousands of junk postings.  We cleaned out more than 10,000 files in one folder alone. 

SO…  We have altered the registered guest program.  It is still possible to register on the site and to see some of the “Members Only” sections without paying for a membership.  To become a Registered Guest on the site you must register and we must approve you.  A Registered Guest will still be able to see areas of the site that are not open to the public but will no longer be able to create new posts on the site.  For example, if you have equipment for sale you will need to register and be approved then let us know you want to post equipment for sale and we will give you a temporary membership to do so.  We still want Balloonists to have the ability to post items for sale at no cost, but we must balance that with keeping the site “spam free” and SAFE for our members. If you are currently a Registered Guest on the site the only thing that has changed is that you no longer can post new topics where in the past you could.  As this evolves we may make even more changes to keep the site free of spam and safe for our members.

Of course you can bypass all of this simply by purchasing any of the regular memberships on the site.

NEW DOWNLOADS

 

We now have a new information slider on the front “FORUMS” page.  This new slider shows the latest downloads posted in the Download Center.  This is an easy way for you to find new stuff that you can download. This slider will show the 10 latest files that have been uploaded to the site.  These file could be anything from photographs to presentations to map files and more.  Some are free for download and some are for purchase.  Remember ALL FILES are free to paid members of HotAirBalloonist.com.  This new feature is an easy way to stay up to date on the latest files available for members.

Video Tutorials

We have started the task of creating new Video Tutorials on the site.  These new videos will be a step by step guide with complete narration on how to preform many of the common tasks on the site.  In the past many of these tutorials did not play on some devices.  ALL of the new tutorials will be saved in .mp4 format so they will play on any device.  In addition we will be creating a new forum on the front page where you can see the new additions to the Video Tutorial Library.  The new forum on the front “FORUMS” page will simply be called “HowTO”.  Each time we post a new “How TO” video the system will post a new topic in the new forum category.  Log in and go to the new “How TO” category and click the “Follow” button and you will be notified via email each time a new video has been uploaded. 

CHAT ROOMS

This is one of the greatest new features added to the site.  CHAT ROOMS!  Not only for the public but for members as well!  The entire scope of this benefit (feature) may be a little hard to grasp at first.  We have a Public Chat rooms and we have a private members only chat rooms.  We can create a chat room for your area! (Public or Private)  Imagine all your local pilots being able to chat and talk about launch and landing areas, Weather, Crew and more.  Even better yet is that if you have a CLUB on HotAirBalloonist.com you can create a chat room for your CLUB!  No Kidding!  Imagine creating a club of your area pilots and crews and then having the ability to create your own private chat room!  Yes we continue to make HAB better and better….

MAP FILES

Did you know that HotAirBalloonist.com creates map files for balloon events?  Our files are created for use with the HotAir app and for the Motion X app.  If you have not used these applications we suggest you have a look at them.  Both are great applications for use in pre-flight planning and inflight navigation.  These files are FREE for download and you can download the file directly into your phone tablet or any device you are using the HotAir app or Motion X app on.  There are also FREE Tutorials on how to download the files into your device.  All available on HotAirBalloonist.com

Thanks for your support!

As always we thank our paid members who allow us to create and maintain this fantastic site.  If you have not been on in a while and have a membership please log in to look!  There is so much more on the Members side of the site that you will be amazed.  Those of you who do not have a paid membership, we suggest you get a membership and see the 1,000’s of things on the member’s side.  A crew membership for an entire year is only $20 and a general membership is only $20 a year.  Pilots can also get a membership for as little as $4 a month.  Please consider supporting the site.

We were Lucky

As many of you know we are located in the central part of Florida.  In fact we are just behind (west of) Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  The recent hurricane took a turn to the north and spared us.  Our hearts go out to the Bahamas as they were totally devastated by the storm.  If you are in a position to donate please do.  We know firsthand here in Florida the unbelievable power of these storms.  Irma hit us and we still have visible damage 2 years later.

All for now, more soon.

Jeff

[Migration is Complete (July 2019)]

Hi Friends and Fellow Ballooners.

It has been a while since our last newsletter.  We have been very hard at work on the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  The biggest accomplishment of the last few months has been the Migration to a new hosting platform.   Our old hosting location was not upgrading our server to meet our expanding needs so we moved.  As you can imagine the task of moving a site the size of HotAirBalloonist.com was daunting to say the least.  We moved more than 4.6 Gigabytes of data in over 5500 folders and 43,500 files including all the member information for over 900 members!  I am happy to say we did not lose a single file.  We are also happy to say that the entire migration took place with very little front end disturbance.  We basically did it smooth enough it was hard for the users to know it had been done.  Our new hosting provider and server environment gives us faster load times, more site security and many more options for expansion of the site and has enhanced the user abilities.  We now can move forward on things that were restricted before.  Go and have a look around the site when you have time.

Balloon Camps, 

Once again we were privileged to be the provider for the BFA Kids Camps Name Badges.  A super shout out goes out to the Camps, Directors, Staff and Kids who make those balloon camps such a fantastic event in the lives of our future balloonists.   “Creating priceless memories is a priceless endeavor”

Maps, Files and Apps.

We recently did a post for the Orlando area pilots and realized that this would be helpful for all balloonists where ever you are.  Here is a link to the post in the Orlando Pilots Exchange.  NOTE*

Do you use Motion X?  Do you use the HotAir App?  We have files for BOTH!.  Here is a screen shot of the National Balloon Classic flying area as seen on the HotAir App.

 

We can create these types of maps for your flying area too!  Do you have a GPX file of your flying area?  Do you want to share it with your other pilot friends?  Send the file to us.  Tell us a little about your area and we will create a download for your fellow pilots to download directly into their phone or tablet.  We have also created some fantastic KML files for use with the HotAir App.

 As a member you can download all the files on the site for FREE.  Log in and go download the HotAir App tutorial.  If you have never used the HotAir app you will be surprised by all the features of the app.  Even if you currently use the HotAir app you may learn something.  The app is free for download for members.

Many do not realize the huge database of downloads in our Download Center.  Keep in mind that there are areas of the Download Center are not for the public.  If you go to the download center and you are not a logged in member of the site you are missing most of what is there.  Log in and go back to the Download Center and you will see entire categories that you did not see before. 

Chat Rooms,

We have now added Chat Rooms to the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  Some of them are public chat rooms and some of them are private (Member Only) rooms.  We have found them to be very useful for pre-flight chatter among the pilots in our area.  Many smart phones and tablets now have a dictation feature.  So you can go to the chat room and just talk.  The nice part of this is that you do not have to text several people at one time.  Just have them all go into the chat room and talk as a group.  If you wish to have a chat room set up for your flying area just let us know.  As a member on the site you can also set up a flying club in your area.  You can create your own PRIVATE chat room for only the members of your club.  Keep in mind there is NO EXTRA charge to start a club on HotAirBalloonist.com so start one for your flying friends today!

The Follow Feature.

I know I have touched on this in past newsletters, but, I cannot express how fantastic a feature this is on the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  You can choose what you want to hear about.  Imagine there are 5 topics you see posted in one category.  Three of those you could care less about but two of those topics are about things you would like to know more about or things you have questions about as well.  The “Follow” feature allows you to check the items you want to hear more about.  Then when an answer or comment is made about that topic the HAB system will send you an instant email!  You can also UN-Follow when and if you choose.  Currently we have a forum inside the Hot Topics category called “HAB Walkie Talkie”.   This forum will send out 267 emails to balloonists all over the world when any new topic is posted.   Have a question you want answered?  Post it!  ** Remember you must be a logged in member to create new topics in any of the forums. 

HalfOff

From now till the end of this month, you may purchase a membership and get half off.  Choose any of the following memberships.  Ride Operator, Pilot, Ground Crew, Equipment Seller, Manufacturer, General Membership, Event Organizer or Student Pilot.  Choose the Yearly option and during checkout use the coupon code HalfOff and receive a 50% discount on the membership of your choice.  A General Membership is only $20 a year!  So from now to the end of this month you can get a General Membership for an entire year for only $10.  Don’t wait.  This offer will expire at the end of this month.

I will try to hang out in the chat room as often as I can to answer questions and connect with fellow balloonists.  If you have time come visit in the HAB Chat rooms!  Only a logged in member can go into the HAB Member chat room.

All the best.  Please fly safe.

Jeff A Thompson.

NOTE* You must be logged in.  If you are not logged in you will see an error page when you click on the links in this email. 

[Two Birds (Sept 2018)]

The more I think about this the more I become energized.  Please forgive me for sticking another note in your email box but we must act as a whole or we may be doomed.  I want to fly and not sit and talk about the good ole days when I did fly.

The following is what I have sent my two senators about the "Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Re-authorization Act of 2017."

You may use this if you wish.

Dear Senator Nelson,

While I appreciate the intent of the bill, the wording requiring the Air Balloon section (585) does nothing to promote safety and does have the real possibility to seriously harm the industry.  Please allow me to elaborate.

You cannot regulate pilot Judgement.  Your bill regulates the health of the pilot via a medical exam yet there has never been an accident with a balloon that has been attributed to a pilot health issue.  So what is it exactly you think you will fix with the medical requirement?  This new regulation will not fix or stop any incident that has ever happened in a balloon.

Do you understand why a Hot Air Balloon was exempt in the first place?  In the early days of ballooning (I was there and a pilot) a balloon was a small aircraft and generally only carried one or two passengers and was not considered a likely commercial aircraft.  In those days there was no consideration about a balloon that would carry a dozen or more people, it was just not even imagined.  But today there are balloons that carry 12, 14, even 18 to 20 or more passengers.  The balloon insurance companies have realized that those balloons do carry more risk and should require more stringent requirements on the pilots.  I as well have no issue with more regulation on the larger balloons.  They require a higher level of skill and vigilance to operate in a safe manor and some sort of medical exam may indeed be appropriate.  To just throw a general blanket of regulation over the entire industry would harm the world of ballooning in ways you can not envision.  There was a reason the industry was exempt in the first place and that has not changed.

If you are seriously interested in creating regulation that would make the industry safer you should address the FAR 91.119.  This regulates the altitude balloons can operate.  Let me quote one line from that regulation.

§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a)Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

Think about this statement.  On a hot air balloon the “POWER UNIT” is the burner on the balloon.  If the burner goes out the balloon is going to fall to the ground.  There is no glide slope like a plane.  There is not steering or altering the course of the aircraft.  There is no slowing the balloon down or banking left or right.  YOU ARE GOING TO FALL TO EARTH and the higher you are the faster you will fall.  So does it make sense to have a balloon at such a high altitude?  Lets put this in some different terms.   I have a pickup truck and a mile long hill.  You are at the bottom of the hill and I have tied you into a chair so you can not move.  Where do you want me to be when I put the truck into neutral and let it go?  If I am at the top of the hill you will get hit by a truck doing 50 MPH and surely be killed.  Or…  If the truck is near the bottom of the hill then you will be bruised and live.  A balloon down low is a safer aircraft then a balloon up high when you apply 91.119 (a).

So here is the amendment I would suggest you place in section (585) of the the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2017.

Amend the section 585 to say this.

585.Applicability of medical certification standards to operators of air balloons

(a)Short title

This section may be cited a the Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018.

(b)In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise section 61.3(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to second-class medical certificates), to apply to an operator of an air balloon (capable of carrying more than 12 passengers) to the same extent such regulations apply to a pilot flight crew member of other aircraft.

(c)Air balloon defined

In this section, the term air balloon has the meaning given the term balloon in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling).

ADD THIS SECTION

(d)

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise section 91.119 section (1) to read as follows. (1) An Air Balloon or helicopter may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, provided each person operating the Air Balloon or helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for an Air Balloon or helicopters by the FAA; and

 

The first part of 91.119 states

Sec. 91.119 — Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

Since we navigate by wind layers at different altitude we use our ability to change altitude to navigate, Hence we are always in the process of landing from the time we lift off?  Where I fly here in Florida we have thousands of square miles of swamp and Forrest.  We are in the process of landing from the time we leave the earth and every altitude we fly at is used to carry us to our landing area.  So I believe you could interpret that first sentence as an exception for balloons.

I look forward to your input.

 

 Jeff A Thompson

 

 

[ATTENTION BALLOON EVENTS (Late Jan 2018)]

Hi Everyone.

I am looking again for a little help.  First of all THANK YOU to all who helped me get in contact with many safety seminars all over the country.  We have 10 care packages going out to these seminars with 100’s of giveaway goodies for all the attendees and some extra gifts for some lucky winners.  You may see some of the HAB stuff at your seminar soon.

Here is my next project.

I am looking for Balloon Events.  More specifically I am looking for the event organizers or those persons whom are responsible for the event, or on the events committee. In past years I have spent my January filling the HAB event calendar with as many events as I could find.  No matter how hard I tried, I still missed many events or did not have the complete or most up to date information.  This year I would like set up an account for each event, so they may post their own information on the calendar. 

So if you are involved with the planning of a balloon event or you know someone who is please have them contact me privately so I can set up an account and they can post their event information for everyone to see and use. 

If you wish to see what an event looks like go to the Calendar page and look at MARCH.  There are two events you can view.  “My Balloon Event” the first weekend of the month (Sample Event), or the FAVIA 225 (REAL event) starting on the 22^nd posted by Tony Saxton.

There is a video tutorial available for viewing in the download center under the category Video Tutorials

Located at:

Downloads > Tutorials & Presentations > Video Tutorials >How to Create a Calendar Event  

<SIDE note>.  The BFA Hall of fame “NOTABLE BALLOONIST BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION” forum is now open for public viewing.  If you have time have a look.  If you know of someone who should be listed contact the BFA HOF committee.

 

Located at:

Home > BFA > BFA Hall of Fame Committee > NOTABLE BALLOONIST BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

 

Thank you all again.

Jeff

HotAirBalloonist.com

 

[Welcome to 2018! (Jan 2018)]

It’s a new year!

Safety Seminar Season,

Each year many safety seminars happen all over the country.  HotAirBalloonist.com encourages everyone to attend a seminar if you can.  The ideas expressed the topics covered and the general discussion; even during the breaks, is helpful to all of us.  We as a whole must continue to strive for 100% safety.  Each year we hear about silly accidents that simply should not have happened. Each year we watch other pilots do stuff we all know is done in poor judgement or just simply WRONG.  Each year we promise to do better but honestly, we do not!  HotAirBalloonist.com is trying very hard to help.  This year we will be donating Pilot and Crew checklists to many safety seminars.  These checklists are printed on 80 Mil PVC (Same as most credit or debit cards). They can be found and customized in our store online if you wish to have your own. These checklists will come with a plastic luggage strap so they can be attached to a flight bag, a tank, basket handle or anywhere the pilot finds handy.  We will also be producing Crew Checklists as well. 

Things we NEED to talk about.

Another item at HotAirBalloonist.com is the new “Things we NEED to talk about” forum. This new forum is inside the Safety Seminars category on the HAB site.  This is a private forum for members only.  If you go to the site as a guest (Not logged in) you will not be able to see the forum.  Once you have logged in to the site you will be able to find the Forum “Things we NEED to talk about” inside the Safety Seminar category.  When you go to this new Forum you can select the “FOLLOW” button on the right side of the page. When you ‘Follow” a topic, the system will send you an email any time a new topic has been posted. This will keep you informed about what is currently being talked about in the safety arena.  ONLY MEMBERS, who are logged in, have access to this.  If you have a “Registered Guest” membership you will need to upgrade to see this new forum.  Just go to the store and select the membership that is right for you and upgrade your account.  Then feel free to talk about problems you have seen and potential ways to solve.  If we all contribute we all can gain!

Things you DON’T see.

We still have a hard time getting people to realize the stuff you don’t see.  I know that does not make a whole bunch of sense but if you are just visiting the site as a guest and you are not logged in, you are missing more than half of the site!  This is what makes our site so fantastic!  We have a window for the general public to learn about ballooning and find service providers, festivals, Instructors and more on our “OPEN” or public side but as a member when you “LOG IN” the site becomes a HUGE resource for everything!  Clubs, Services, Supplies, Instruction, Power Point presentations, Files, Events, and more, all  at your fingertips with a click of a mouse. We monitor the site many times a day.  We encourage participation and look forward to creating solutions to your needs.  But, No matter how good we are and what we have to offer if you don’t participate we might as well sit in a closet!  We can have the library of congress for ballooning at your fingertips but if you don’t use it then what good are we?  When you log in, anything that is new, items you have not seen or read will appear with a DARK icon.  Items with a faded out icon are things you have already seen.  We have tried to make it as easy for you to keep up with what is new as we can.  Did you hear about the Court case in California that states a balloon ride is not to be considered under the Common Carrier laws?  How about whether or not you are operating a commercial vehicle when you take your truck and trailer to a balloon festival?  Would you like to be able to download a Propane technical pocket guide or how about a diagram for an inflator fan frame?  These are all things that are available on the site for our membership.  If you do not log in or you do not have a membership you don’t know what you’re missing.  Go and get a paid membership.  Support HotAirBalloonist.com.  A general membership is only $20 for an entire year!  The HotAirBalloonist.com site is not only a very useful site for ballooning, but it is easy to use and a great benefit to ballooning in general and worthy of your support!  GET INVOLVED, GET A MEMBERSHIP, and help us help ballooning.

WHO ARE WE?

Some of you know me and many may not.  My name is Jeff Thompson.  I live in Florida.  I have just shy of 7,000 flights and about 5800 flight hours.  I am a BFA level DA-8 on the PAAP (pilot achievement award program) I am also an Ed Yost Master Pilot award recipient.  I had my pilot’s certificate before I had a driver’s license for a car.  I purchased my first balloon in 1976 and took my parents Jim and Connie Thompson for their first flight at the age of 17 years old.  I have been a member of the BFA since 1977. 

You may ask why I am telling you this.  I love, live and breathe ballooning.  I want to leave this sport better off than when I came into it.  I created the HotAirBalloonist.com site so we could all work together and share our talents, passion, experiences and tricks, tips and failure’s together for the benefit of all.  Unlike other ballooning sites HotAirBalloonist.com is user interactive.  What I mean by this is that YOU a member can post things for others.  WE CAN ALL SHARE with our fellow balloonists and talk about the things we need. Not only can you share our opinion, but you can share files, presentations, photos, and more for others to view and learn from YOU. We are creating a HUGE database of knowledge accessible by all balloonists for all our benefit.  

I know each newsletter I ask over and over for you to become a member.  Please understand that I have personally funded this site for a very long time out of my own pocket.  RIGHT NOW we are preparing packages for safety seminars all over the country.  The dollar value of the items we are donating is in the thousands!  Is it too much to ask that you get a pilots membership for $45 a year? (Thank you to those who have) How about a general membership for $20 a year?  There are dozens and dozens of useful features built into HotAirBalloonist.com and more being added all the time.  Get your crew a membership for $20 a year! The site has thousands of features and files.  We were presented a BFA Directors award for our work with the BFA Hall of Fame committee.  Soon you will be able to view the Notables category the HOF uses to select the nominations for the Ballooning Hall of Fame.  There is simply something for everyone on the site.  Go to the store, select a membership and support HotAirBalloonist.com, please.

Fly safe

As always I am available

Jeff A Thompson.

info@hotairballoonist.com

407-421-9322

[Tis the Season (Dec 2017)]

Merry Christmas Everyone

As another year comes to a close we wanted to say Merry Christmas to all.  Please be safe and enjoy this wonderful time of year.  Life goes so very quickly, take every opportunity to make a few special memories with those we may not see often.  Take the time to tell those who are in your everyday life what they mean to you as well. 

For those who will fly on Christmas Day. 

Get a bunch of bells and fly low over the houses and ring the bells as hard as you can.  Practice yelling “HO HO HO” as loud as you can.

For those who have snow! 

Land in someone yard and cool the balloon down.  Have someone get out one side of the basket and make a snow angel.  Then climb back in and get out the other side and use your feet to make a bow.  Then take off and look back.  You just created a Christmas gift and a snow angel with no tracks to or from it.  (It’s a balloonist form of crop circle)

Hope you all get what you want this year and remember that “Every DAY is a gift”

ATTENTION LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS,

You can go to the store on HotAirBalloonist.com and get a gift card.  You can choose any amount or you can give someone a membership to the site. 

See you all in “18”

Jeff A Thompson

[Winter is on the way. (nov 2017)]

HI Everyone.  I hope you are all doing well.  Lots of items to cover in this newsletter so please bear with me on the length of this.  Hopefully you will gain some great information.

Winter Flying.  One of the things I miss living here in Florida are those Frozen Flights from up north.  The earth covered in a fresh blanket of snow and the extreme visibility of that cold clear air, are simply amazing.  BUT there are a few items you should keep in mind.  We have written an article with some tips and created a poll for you to take in our Balloon Owners & Operators category.  Look in the Winter Flying forum.  (REMEMBER YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO SEE THIS CATEGORY) The “Balloon Owners & Operators” category is for members only.

BFA to LINK to HAB.

Many of you may know that the HotAirBalloonist.com site has an entire section set aside for the Hall of Fame committee. (If you did not know you know now!)  HAB created category that is completely private just for the HOF committee to do its work when choosing the potential candidates for the National Balloon Museums “Hall of Fame” each year.  There are several sub-categories and forums inside their section of the site.  One of the forums is the Notable Balloonists Biographical Information forum.  There has been great support for this section to be made available to all balloonists.  Currently it is private for viewing only by the BFA Hall of Fame committee.  During the general meeting in Albuquerque a motion was brought forward to make this section of the site public.  That motion passed!  Soon you will be able to see the Biographies that are currently on file.  We hope that this will not only be used as an educational resource but it will also promote the submission of new information as well.  We will let you know when this link has been posted on the BFA site and when the forum has been opened for public view in another newsletter.

CLUBS & THE EXCHANGE

So do you have a group of pilots and crews you hang with?  Do you have a way to communicate with your local pilots?  Ground Crews?  Landowners?  START A CLUB!  Our new Club feature allows you to have your own site within the HAB site.  Start a club with a fun name.  Then invite your local pilots and crews to join.  Create your own club calendar, Forums, Topics, Photo Galleries, Blogs and more..  Everyone in the club can use all the features of the HAB site and all the features within your club.  Sound like too much work?  Then use “THE EXCHANGE” This is a category with sub-categories for major areas around the country.  Each exchange has 4 forums.  1) Pilots forum. 2) Crew forum. 3) Passenger Exchange. 4) Landowner Relations.  

The exchange can be found in the Balloon Rides category (you must be logged in)

In BOTH the CLUB feature and THE EXCHANGE, members following will be sent an instant email of any topic posted.  This means if you need crew you post a topic in the Crew Forum in your exchange and all the crew following will be notified.  Post an event on your club calendar and all your club members get an email.  This feature is included with your basic membership.  Other programs like this charge as much as $20 a month and YOU are the only one who can send mail.  The CLUBS feature and THE EXCHANGE allow all members to post new items and the system automatically sends out the emails for you!    You are welcome to try the exchange on your own.  Or call me and I will walk you around the features.  START A CLUB TODAY and be instantly in touch with your area by tonight.

SAFETY SEMINARS

We are entering that time of year again.  WE URGE ALL OF YOU to attend a safety seminar in your area.  Every year the seminars get better and better.  I don’t care how long you have been flying balloons you can learn something.  Great discussion’s and new ideas are fantastic for all of us.  If you are involved with a seminar anywhere this year please post in on the calendar.  Log in and go to the calendar page.  Click on the link “All Calendars” and a drop down menu of calendars will open.  Select the safety seminar calendar and post your event.  You can insert text and times and locations and links and contact information and more.  If you do not want to try this for yourself just send the information to Info@HotAirBalloonist.com and we will post it for you.  Or better yet call us and we will take you thru the process so you can edit and/or add to the event at any time on your own.

Congrats to Mom and Dad.

On a personal note.  Those of you who know my parents will agree with me that they are true ballooning jewels.  I am so proud of what they have done for me over the years and what they have done for the entire ballooning community.  I was informed by the Awards Committee chairman that during the general meeting this year BOTH my parents would be receiving awards.  Father won a directors award for his work with the HOF and my mother won the crew of the year award for more than 40 years of chasing three generations and four family pilots.  I could not be happier for both of them.  If you wish to read her nomination please click here Connie Thompson.  You do not have to log into the site to see her nomination.

EQUIPMENT for sale

Don’t forget we have a complete category for Equipment for sale.  If you have stuff you want to sell POST IT!  THERE IS NO FEE!  Go on the site and register as a guest.  Then go to the proper forum for the equipment you are selling and start a topic about your stuff.  Don’t forget to click the FOLLOW button when you are done.  This way if someone wants to ask you a question they can post it right on the site and you will get an instant email.  Then you can answer the question and then add that information to your listing!  When you have sold the equipment you can delete your topic with a couple of mouse clicks.

Become a paid member.

If you have not logged in lately you should!  The site is growing every day.  More and more great information is being added and new features all the time.  The membership dues help pay for the site and the time it takes to keep it up.  Please contribute.  If you have forgotten your log in information you can use your email to retrieve the password or just send us an email at Info@HotAirBalloonist.com.  Tell us the user name or email you had on the account and tell us what password you would like to use and we will reset it for you and send you an email.

Your assignment.

·        Go read the article on cold weather flying. LOG IN AND CLICK HERE

·        Go take the poll on tank pressure.

·        Check out the Exchange feature found in the BALLOON RIDES category.

·        START A CLUB

·        Get your safety seminar listed.

·        Tell someone about the site and get them to join!

 

 

All the best to everyone.  Please fly safe. 

Jeff A Thompson

[Post IRMA (Sept 2017)]

Well, we lived! 

Overall we were very fortunate .  Many were not and our hearts go out to all whom have suffered devastation, loss and heartache in their life from this storm.  We were affected and you can read all about our story here. http://hotairballoonist.com/forum/index.php?/index.html/equipment/post-irma-r49/

Once again we want to express our sympathy and prayers for those who have been severely affected by the hurricane.  We experienced it first hand and have heart felt and real respect for your trialing times.

New Banner Locations!

Do you have a club?  A Balloon Event? Even a product you want to promote.  We have new banner locations and they are very inexpensive.  For as little as $20 a month you can promote your product to thousands of balloonist and people interested in the world of ballooning.  Just go the store and click on Banner Advertising.  Select the placement were you would like your banner to be.  The Banner Description area will explain the size and format your banner needs to be.  The literally upload your banner and pay with a credit card and POOF you’re up and running.

MAP FILES

A HUGE thank you goes out to Rob Nutting for his contribution to our map files.  Rob uploaded 14 map files from some very popular balloon events in the Midwest.  They can be found in the Download center under the category “Launch and Land” map files.  Once again I must point out one of the fantastic features of HotAirBalloonist.com is the Download Center.  We all can share all sorts of files from historical records, How To manual’s, Guides, Forms and Documents as well as MAP FILES.  It has long been our goal to be able to provide downloadable files for flying areas all over the United States.  Many of these files can be downloaded directly into your device and used almost instantly.  If you use the Hot Air App, TwoNav or Motion X you can download directly into your tablet and use the files in seconds.  There are literally dozens of reasons to support this site and this one is one of the most compelling.  Become a member and help us create a database for all pilots everywhere!  Go on, Give it a try. There is no cost do download map files.  Just remember to thank a paid member for your ability to do so.

CLUBS

We have talked about his before but I do not believe it has sunk in.  Many of you are familiar with the Balloon Reflector.  For those who are not it is a program that allows you to send out an email and the system then rebroadcasts that email out to hundreds of followers who then can comment back about that topic.  It is a great way to stay in touch.  It does have some drawbacks.  You can’t send photos, you can’t review all the comments, (unless you save each email and go back and review one at a time) and a few other items.  The NEW HotAirBalloonist.com “CLUBS” feature does all that and MORE.  When you start a club you choose the type of club.  Your club can be a Public (Open to everyone) Private (People must request your permission to join) or a CLOSED club (Only people you invite can join and NO ONE can see the club except your members.  In each club you have the ability to create your own Forum of Topics, Gallery of images, Calendar of events, even a Download Center to share files.  It’s like having a complete website with all the features you could want. 

BEST OF ALL every module of your club has the Follow Feature.  On every item on the site has a follow button.  Click on that button and you can follow that item.  Just like the reflector you get an email when someone makes a new event or creates a new topic or any item you want to be notified about.  So imagine you have a group of pilots in your area.  You can create a club with your local pilots and crews.  Then you can share events, files, Maps and more via your club.  Post one topic about a sensitive land owner and everyone in your area gets an email!  Think how valuable that could be.  Imagine you need more crew or are heading to a balloon event and need more crew.  Post a topic in your club and all your members get an instant email.  If you are interested in this feature please give me a call.  It is very hard to explain all the benefits in a newsletter.

Going to the BIG ONE.

Those of you old schoolers will understand “The Big One”  I still have very fond memories of Sid.  It’s better known as “Fiesta” or Albuquerque.   This may sound funny but those of you who get these newsletters are some of the best.  Many of you have been given memberships to HotAirBalloonist.com because of your contributions to the sport. Your contributions are what earned you a free membership.   I have two things to ask of you.  First tell people about the site.  Talk about it while you are spending time with pilots and crews who may not be aware of HotAirBalloonist.com.  AND YOU please support the site.  If you get a membership in the store and use the Coupon code “BFA at checkout you get a HUGE 75% discount!  Think about that.  Surely you would contribute, a buck a month to this site?  A ground crew membership is even less.  Log in and purchase a membership then USE the new club feature!  Use the download center to share or download maps.  Currently members do not pay for any downloads in the Download Center.  Just a couple of free downloads and you have paid for your membership.  Sell your photos online! Learn the tricks to GoPro video on your flights and so much more. 

 

On a personal note.

The hurricane Irma has hurt my ride business.  Many of you know I foot the bill for HotAirBalloonist.com out of my own pocket and with my own time.  I sure could use some support right now.  Get a paid membership or make a donation of some sort.  I have spent many years giving to the sport.  I am now in a position to need some help from my friends and fellow balloonist’s.  Please do not misunderstand, I am not asking for a handout.  I honestly with all my heart believe that the benefits of a paid membership on HotAirBalloonist.com are an incredible value and way beyond the price paid.  But it sure would be nice to see some support for the site.  As a personal note I want to thank again Rob Nutting for his map file’s contribution to the site.  Sure wish I could get other balloonists to follow his lead.

Final Thoughts

If you are going to Albequreque please fly extremely safe.  Don’t take chances.  Fly when you are comfortable and please please be sharp.  Our industry NEEDS an incident free fiesta.  You are all special for what you do and remember we ALL represent each other.

FLY SAFE, Have fun.

Jeff

[IRMA (Sept 2017)]

Dear Friends and Fellow Ballooners

Looks like the Thompson Compound (Our Home) is going to be in the Eye of (or very close to) Irma.  We are prepared as much as we can.  We have a generator that is wired into the home and will provide minimal electricity.  Radio, TV, Lights, Fans and a few other small items.  It is not strong enough for our AC or Well pump.  (That Generator is on the way but will not get here till after the storm passes.)  We have food, water, Radios, Batteries, Ice, Gas, Propane and more.

My Parent’s Jim and Connie Thompson are also preparing at their home just two miles down the road with the assistance of my brother Jon Thompson.  I lived here in this home when hurricane Charlie hit central Florida in 2004.  The damage from that hurricane was amazing and pretty severe!  We were without power for 7 days.  Irma is several times larger and just as strong if not stronger, we are expecting 80 to 90 mile per hour winds for 6 to 8 hours.  The worst part is that the brunt of the storm will pass here in the middle of the night.  We will be able to hear the destruction happing but not know for sure till daylight what has happened.  We received an email from our insurance company letting us know they are preparing and expecting 50 to 75 thousand claims just in our area.  This is not a joke.

I have a live weather station at my home.  You can view it here.  www.thompsonaire.com/TAweather.htm  there is also a link for the ThompsonAire twitter account if you wish to follow our postings during the storm.  I have also mounted GoPro cameras on the Radio/ Weather Tower here at the house.  We will be posting short video clips as long as we can till we lose power or internet.  The weather station is mounted at the top of the 50 foot tower and should provide great information till our power goes out.  The weather station is live.  It updates the information on the web every minute.

The local power company will be shutting down the power ahead of the storm.  This will be the first time they have done something like this but I do understand.  When the trees come down and lines get shorted it blows the transformers.  If the power is shut down the transformer does not explode.  This way all they must do is clear the line and then fire back up the power.  It will make things miserable during the storm but it should make power restoration much faster on the back side of the storm.

Over the last few days we have heard from many of our ballooning friends and must tell you all that we are so very lucky to be part of such a wonderful community as the balloon world.  THANK YOU ALL.

Best wishes to all.  If you are some of our past passengers or friends living here in Florida take this storm serious.  Have a safe room in your home and make sure everyone knows where to go. 

Thank you! 

Jeff A. Thompson

[Fall Foliage! (August 2017)]

Fall Foliage!

This is a time of year I sincerely miss.  Living here in Florida, we do not get the spectacular colors of the fall as you do in many places up north.  The fall season is some of my favorite flying.  I remember when flying in Michigan the fall color tours were a very busy time.  That is also the time of year when the weather can be somewhat tricky as the cold fronts begin to invade from the north.  I wish you all great flying weather, fantastic colors and most of all safe flights.  Share a few photos with us on HotAirBalloonist.com

CLUBS

This is a new feature that is not well understood on HotAirBalloonist.com

“Clubs” simply is a FANTASTIC addition and has great potential for EVERY MEMBER.  As a member you can now start a club.  Your club could be just you and your ground team, or if you want, the pilots and crews in your flying area or even friends across the country.   For example:   You and a couple of your pilot friends want to start a club.  So you create a club.  You choose the type of club!  You can create one of 4 types of clubs, (public, open, closed or Private Club).  You invite your pilot friends and their crews to join your club.  Inside your club you can create several fantastic areas.  You can create a forum for topics of discussion.  You can create a photo gallery for your club.  You can create a download center for file sharing and you can even create a club calendar!  That’s right an online calendar just for your club.  BEST OF ALL each of your new club areas include the “FOLLOW’ feature.  This means that if each member of your club selects to follow a forum or a calendar the system will send them an instant email whenever something has been added!  So you can enter an event on the calendar or post a new topic in your forum and the system will automatically send out emails!    BOTTOM LINE, creating a club for your flying area or friends is a great way to keep in touch with local pilots and crews and share local information quickly and easily with just a few mouse clicks.  Log in and take a look!

DELETING A TOPIC

Deleting a topic or any item you have started has now become much easier.  One of the new additions to the site is the ability for any member to easily find all the items they have started.  When you are logged in go to the menu bar at the top and mouse over “Activities & Interests” then click on “Content I Started” This will then pull up a list of all the activity associated with your account from the entire site.  There are many items such as reply’s or Status Updates that you can delete directly from this page.  Topics are also easy to delete.  Just click on the topic.  Just below the Topic Title over to the right you will find a gray link called “topic moderation” Just click on that link and hit delete.    

NEW NAVIGATION

We have new and improved navigation on HotAirBalloonist.com.  The top four navigation links are now mouse over links.  This means you do not have to click on them.  Just hold your mouse over them and the links will appear in the line below.  By doing this we have made navigation quicker and allowed us to add even more items to the site.  Have a look at the new navigation bar and the many new features and links.

HALL OF FAME

Do you know a noteworthy balloonist?   Do you know someone who has made a huge impression on you in the world of ballooning? Do you know someone who could possibly be someone who is worthy of being in the National Balloon Museum “Hall of FAME”?  Currently the Hall of Fame committee has 200 biographies on file but there are many more balloonists who deserve to be on that list.  If you know someone whom you believe should be considered as a notable balloonist?  Please help the Hall of Fame committee by providing information about a notable balloonist or someone involved in the world of ballooning whom you believe should have information preserved for future balloon enthusiasts.

If you wish to see the names those on file navigate to the forum below.

·  Home

·  U.S. National Balloon Museum

·  Ballooning Hall of Fame

·  Notable Balloonists with Biographies   

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

We have a new section on the site called Activities & Interests.  This is where you will find a link to the new Club Feature on the site. If you mouse over the link “Activities & Interests” you will see many other new options.  REMEMBER LOG IN…  If you do not log in you will see very few options on the site.  When you log in the site doubles in size.

UPGRADE

Our upgrade on the site is almost complete.  We are still working on a few page layouts but for the most part the site is running well with all the new modifications.  We have a few new pages in the works but will talk more about that in a future newsletter.  We will be thinning the heard in the next few weeks.  We have many members that have not logged in in a very long time or have never used the site.  If we delete your account please remember you can always go back and create a new account.  If you have the chance to log in in the next week or so please do.  If you have forgotten your password just use the password recovery system on the site.

MAPS!

PLEASE PLEASE if you have a map of your flying area or if you are involved with a balloon event we want your files!  We want to share them with all balloonists.  There is a section in the Download Center just for map files.  We would like to create a complete database of maps from all over the country and the world!  Imagine how nice it would be to simply download a map from local pilots anywhere!  Imagine the ability to avoid land owner relation problems just by providing a file for pilots who are unfamiliar with your area?  PLEASE if you have files, help us achieve this goal.

All for now!

I know I get somewhat long winded in these emails.  I hope you get some benefit from them and if you log into the site and find some benefit there then I have achieved my goal.  HotAirBalloonist.com is meant to be a site where we can all participate, share, and benefit from the HUGE knowledge of balloonists like you, everywhere.  You are receiving this email because you are a member.  PLEASE PARTICIPATE.

 

 

Fly safe and enjoy the cooler temps and beautiful vistas.

Jeff A Thompson

Fall Foliage.docx

[August Newsletter (2017)]

Almost August!

It’s been a while

I have not sent out a newsletter in a couple of months.  As some of you know we have done a complete revamp of the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  This has consumed a bunch of my time and there is still more to go.  When you get the chance have a look around.  Remember LOG IN!  If you go to the site and are not logged in you are considered a guest.  A guest does not see the entire site.  In fact a Guest is not viewing even HALF the site.  So make sure you log in to see the entire site.

START A CLUB

We now have a new feature called simply “Clubs”.  If you click on the Activities & Interest’s tab you will see the first link is called Clubs.  This is a new area where you can start a club! You can create a club That is completely private or you can make a club that you invite members to join or you can create an open club for all.  Within your club you can create a caleander, Club topics, Photo gallery and even share files with your club membership.  This is a fantastic feature and one you should check out when you have a chance.

Member Map

We have even done an upgrade with the Member Map.  We have included Calendar Events on the member map.  When you place an event on the events calendar a pin will automatically appear on the member map.  The member map is now scalable.  If you click the small icon just below the +/- the map will become FULL SCREEN on your computer.  The Markers on the map now contain links and other information so you can click directly to the item even if it is outside the HotAirBalloonist.com site.

Activities and Interests

This is another new area on the site.  Here is where you will find the link to balloon clubs as well as other helpful links.  On the Activities and Interests tab you will be able to find all the items you have created and topics you have started as well as find all the items you choose to follow in one place.  There is also a very powerful search bar as well.  If there is an item you once found that you want to find again this is where you would go to search for it.

SUPPORT

There is now a new support tab on the main menu bar.  Here you can find staff, See who has been posting stuff, the leaders of the site as well as follow a specific member.  The ability to follow a specific member is also another new feature.  Also on the support tab you can see who is online.  Generally at any given time there are about 30 to 40 people roaming the site.  You can also see what members are online.  Of course the Support Tab is where you would go to get support as well. Click on Support and start a new request.  We want everyone to get the most out of the site so please if you have any problems submit a support request and let us help you.

MOBILE READY!

Did you know we now have a mobile ready version of the site?  Go ahead and use your phone or tablet to go to HotAirBalloonist.com  The site will automatically scale for your device.  Using the site is easy on any device. 

LOG IN > LOG IN> LOG IN.

REMEMBER most of this site is not viewable by a guest.  More than half of this site is only viewable by members who are logged in!  So when you have the time to visit the site please remember LOG IN.  If you do not remember your password just click the sign in button and use the password recovery system.  If all else fails just send us an email with your name and we will send you your account credentials so you can log in.

New in the STORE

There is now a tab on the store menu called “My Details”.  Here is where you will find all your purchases, print receipts, manage purchases, put a credit card on file or change a card, shipping address and more.  REMEMBER YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN to see this.  That is the only way the system will know what information to access for your account.

MAP FILES

Once again we would like to ask if you are involved in a balloon event.  Please provide your event maps.  More and more pilots are using Phones and Tablets to fly with.  We have a section in our Download Center just for maps.  Currently we have maps loaded for the National Balloon Classic in Indianola Iowa.  Pilots can go into the maps section and download files directly into their phone or tablet for use during the event.  We would love to provide this service for other events too but, we can’t if you don’t give us the files.

SO MUCH MORE

There are so many new features I could go on and on but fortunately for all of us I need to start loading the van to go fly.  REMEMBER this site is run by the Dues members pay.  Once again THANK YOU to the members who help support this site.  If you are not a paid member please at least get a “General Membership” it’s only $20 a year but helps us in so many ways.

As always, All the best to you.  Fly safe, have fun and if you need anything please drop us a note.

Jeff

 

Almost August.docx

[April showers and May Flowers. (April 2017)]

Hi everyone. 

Each month I try to insert information that you the members of HotAirBalloonist.com will find helpful and interesting as well.  The one thing I do keep asking is that if you have a FREE membership we sure would like you to become a paid member.  Sites like HotAirBalloonist.com take time to keep up to date and effort to continue to add more content as well as, provide support for the public and the membership.   We all know many balloon sites that have faded away, like Fireside, Everything Ballooning, Aunty Monkey and other sites like hotairballooning.com and Aerostatz that have become nearly stagnant in recent years.  The big difference with HotAirBalloonist.com is that we have a private members side and a public side and the membership like YOU control the content.  YOU can ask for anything you want to see on the site and we will make it happen.  You also have the ability to log in and start new topics, upload equipment for sale, create a calendar event, spend some time in the chat room, Share files, photos, drawings and more with your fellow LTA aeronauts.  Please if you are not a paid member become one.  Tell your friends to get online and become a member. 

The word of the month for April 2017 is “Participate”

CHECKLISTS

Last month we touched on the need for using checklists.  We have Pilot Checklists and Crew Checklists and even passenger pre-flight briefing cards available in the store.  If there is ever a question about your procedures having a checklist is almost like insurance.  It carries some weight as to your overall diligence as a pilot and your crew, for that matter.  As we mentioned all of our checklists and briefing cards are customizable. 

WELL, We have gone one step better.  We now have a form in our Download Center where you can download a file in Word Format.  Open it up on your computer and you literally can fill in the blanks. You will find on the left side of the page is a sample.  On the right side of the page are blank areas where you can write your own text.  Honestly you can make a completely customized checklist for yourself in just minutes.  Go to HotAirBalloonist.com and go to the Store.  Click on the Pilots Flight Bag category and you will find the checklists.  There are links to the download center in each product.  You can also go to the Download Center and go to the Balloon Related Resources to find the downloadable files.

 How’s your BTU?

Over the years the old debate about my burner is better than your burner and so on has gone on and on.  Here is how you can rate your burner and how you can rate someone else’s burner.  Next time you are at a balloon rally you can challenge your fellow pilots to do the same.  Keep in mind this is not a perfect way to rate a burner but it’s pretty close and if done at the same location and at the same time you will get very comparable numbers. You can purchase a scale at any Walmart for under $20 that will measure to 10^th’s of a pound.

 Propane has 21,600 BTU’s per pound.  So,  Take a tank of propane.  Weigh it.  Hook it up to your burner and light it up.  Turn it on for 30 seconds.  Now weigh the tank again.

How much propane did you use?  Let’s just say you used 3.9 pounds.  So here is the formula,

(UsageX2)X60= hourly usage.  Hourly usage X 21,600 = BTU/HR

3.9 pounds of propane used in 30 seconds.  X2 = a minute.  So 7.8 pounds a minute.  X60 = 1hr  so 7.8X60 =468 pounds in an hour.  468 X 21,600 =10.1 Million BTU per hour.

Now, Here are a couple of SERIOUS notes..  FIRST.  Be protected.  Hands, Arms, Head and your location! A 30 second burn is a very very long burn.  Things are going to get hot and no pun intended.  Make sure you are protected from the radiant heat and make sure bystanders are well back.  Also make sure you are in a very open well ventilated area.  We don’t want you setting the neighbors trees on fire.  Make sure you light the burner.  Believe it or not some burners are rated without lighting the burner.  You know the expansion of liquid propane to a combustible vapor slows down the flow and lowers the BTU rating.  The burner must be lit as if you were using it in flight to get a proper result.  Doing this at a balloon rally will give you results on a level playing field (also no pun intended) since all the propane will be at the same temperature and you will be at the same altitude.  Almost all smart phones have available applications for Decibel rating if you wish to measure that as well.

GoPro and Ballooning.

Many more pilots are now flying with GoPro and many more are thinking about it.  We do have a presentation in our Download Center on GoPro and Ballooning.  Go to the Video and Tutorials page and download the presentation for FREE.  It is a great beginner’s guide to what you will want to have for using GoPro Video cameras in ballooning.  One of the suggestions we have is using Ram Mounts.  We have been using them for several years and they are fantastic. You will find photos and links to the products we use.  Ram also makes a clamp on mount I used on my Father’s balloon works basket last summer and it worked fantastic.  Many of the mounts can be used on Uprights, Burner Frames and Tanks as well.  We will be writing an article for the Current Events page featuring many of the mounts we have tried over the years and what we think works best.  We are also experimenting with an easy clamp on mast attachment so look for details on that coming soon.

 

 

 

Tablet Flying.

 There are some fantastic programs available now for your tablet and for use while flying.  Some of these programs can be used for competition and be much easier to use than the big clumsy Map Boards the Good ole boys use.  We all have seen them, the big flat board where they have a laptop and cell phone and two GPS units and more with a clip for maps and so on.  Some even have straps and different attachments to mount onto the basket.  Some look like they could be used to torture the crew after the flight.  There is a very nice power point presentation in the Download Center on Tablet Flying.  It shows many of the programs that are out there and extremely useful for not only flight planning but inflight navigation as well.  The Download is free so have a look when you have time.  This presentation is also located in the “Tutorials & Presentations” category

Pilots Goodie Bag.

Some of you are involved in balloon events from a planner or organizer standpoint.  At almost every balloon event the organizers are looking for things for the Pilots goodie bag.  Don’t forget we have many items that would make great pilot gifts in our store.  Many of them are only a few dollars.  How about a Shoot-A-Lite sparker or a sighting compass.  What about flashlights or custom checklists like we talked about above. What about custom ID badges for the pilot with a color photo of the balloon on the badge.  What about Crew badges with the balloon photo on them.  There are so many items available and best of all many can be customized for the participating pilot.  HEY!  What about a membership on HotAirBalloonist.com?  Give us a call and we can work out special pricing for your event.  Heck we would even print up a special membership card for them to find in their goodie bag.

Well there is no doubt I have rambled on way to much again.  Honestly it is my sincere hope that you enjoy these newsletters each month.  Please patronize our sponsors and if you have a product or service you would like to promote remember we offer banner advertising all over the site and many memberships allow you to upload items in the 4Sale section of the site. 

Remember this site was built for YOU!  Tell us what you think.  Imagine if each of you started a topic about something or asked a question on the site or uploaded a file or drawing or presentations of some sort, how quickly we would have a HUGE resource for future balloonists.  Remember your local map files are wanted in the Download Center!

The summer festival season is on us!  Please fly safe and have fun but make your own choices!

Jeff A Thompson.

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