For 2005 I was given two sponsors; 1. Chino Federal Credit Union from which I met some very nice people at the Sponsor Party. They appologized for not being able to come out to the balloon launch because they had a company picnic scheduled. 2. Deming Headlight from which my old friend Desma (crack reporter) Montellano came out to help us on Sunday. She was busy (as usual) taking photos on Saturday. This is like year 4 for her being with us.
At the Sponsor party they always have forms about input into improvements we might suggest. I was about to write "Don't you dare fix something until it's broken". The Saturday morning flight went with only one hitch. The hare balloon (competition style) had inflation problems as the wind shifted direction and burned a panel or two. Those that got inflated waited to find out who was to be the new hare. When I found out that a replacement was selected I too inflated and launched soon thereafter. Weather conditions were light and variable. I tried to get the appropriate direction but it kept dying leaving me going the wrong way. Soon I gave up and just had fun. I flew all those on my crew who wanted to fly. My two grandsons, Phelan and Rainey, and Sally Allen opted to wait until Sunday. I started with Rudy Mayer, Deb Raynor, and Debbie Hayhurst. On second hop I took Bill Allen and Dick Hayhurst. On Sunday we awoke to a breeze and upon arrival at the launch field it was still blowing. We tried piballs and that confirmed fast air all the way up. We waited about 30 minutes and the wind went calm. The weather report was for similar conditions to Saturday turning breezy by 9:00 A.M. We broke from briefing and started inflations. I noticed Jeanne Gartner had her balloon up and a bunch were cold packed when the wind came up and started turning everyone. We all decided just about the same time to cancel. I had a big dude hanging on to the mouth with about three other people and he got lifted into the air. We went to plan B and went to breakfast.
Deming, New Mexico lights up with lots of party atmosphere during the Great American Duck Races. More than ducks it is Hot Air Balloon Flying, Bottomless boat races, Lawnmower races, parade, vendors, carnival, and lots of entertainment.
The Deming Duck Race Rally was my first rally as a pilot and I'll always remember the friendly people. This year my sponsor was the Deming Headlight, the local newspaper which hires the nicest people. My passenger was the cutest young lady who must take her cues from reporter Ellis Neal in Alamogordo who would do anything to mess up a photograph of him. Last year she put her face in the shadows but this year I made sure she was blinded by the sun.
(Left)Demings Headlight reporter did a great job flying and she even threw her note pad down to get down and dirty packing up. (Right) This guy was A FIRST TIMER. He had a good flight and was a big help during setup and packup.
(Left) The soccer field we use for takeoff. (Right) This is Sally Allen of Deming. She and her husband Bill did a great job of crewing and I hope they come back next year. Bill was gracious to give up his place in line to get a second hop which didn't happen on Sunday. I owe him one.
(Left) Our fourth passenger on Saturday. She and her husband joined us to crew the weekend. Saturday was all elevator rides, nice and calm.(Right) We landed next to this yard. We asked if we could lay out on the grass and were given the nod.
(Left)On Sunday we were expecting light and variable again but got a quick ride about 100 feet up which dropped as we flew. Rudy Mayer moved to Deming in December of 03 and was looking for excitement. I'll explain later. (Right) I'm sorry I forgot some names. Actually I forgot everyones name. Some wrote them down for me so I could refresh my memory. It is nice to have young blood on the chase crew. He was a great help.
This is the result of a perfect high wind landing. We had lots of room, we leveled out and ground tracked for a while and from about 4 foot off the ground I pulled the top out. We lightly hit the ground immediately tipped over and the envelope just layed down after a 30 foot drag. Where was Rudy? Well Bill renamed him Mongoose. Rudy and the other guy were on the bottom of the basket with me on top. Rudy's face was less than an inch from the dirt with his neck arched to keep from eating it. Well done Rudy. We had a long flight due to upper winds being anywhere from 1 to 4 MPH. I dropped down a couple of times to test the ground winds but they remained 14 to 20 MPH.
(Left) Our ceremony from Saturday. (Right) Our ceremony from Sunday.
(Right) We missed a beautifull front yard with a family outside watching us. We landed in weeds beside the grass and asked if we could lay out in the yard. Given the permission we asked if the children wanted to fly on tether and the response was a quick yes.
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Last Updated August 28, 2005 by Jim Hoidahl
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