Headed West...

Once again, I have been quite delinquent in keeping up the blog. Below are a few pictures of my solo flight from a little over a week ago. Thanks to the photographers Max and Carol, they both did a great job!!

Landing Spot

The crew did a great job of inducting me with cold beer, cold champagne, and cold water. Did I mention it was cold?

Over the past few days I went to Northwest Iowa for a good friend's party celebrating 50 years in the same house. Quite an accomplishment, way to go Grandma Pat!!

After a summer chalk full of adventures with over 7,000 miles covered, I am nearing my last scheduled trip of the season. In a few days I am headed to the Black Hills and Devils Tower to spend the holiday weekend with good friends (oh yeah, and fly too). Because of the extreme terrain and mountain flying conditions, my balloon will be staying here and I will be flying with more experienced pilots. Should be a great time, check back on the blog for pics. Right now, the weather is looking pretty good for the most part.

Also on the balloon...still have not got the call that the trailer is done yet (ARRRRRGGG). Last word was the trailer was now going to be done by the end of the month, so stay tuned. Once the trailer is done and up here in Sioux Falls, I will be eager to get back in the air and do some soloing.

Busy Week

I apologize for not having more entries this week, but there were a lot of late nights and early mornings with mother nature really not cooperating.Last Saturday night we were hoping to fly over the fair but a good ole thunderstorm developed with a nice shelf cloud so we kept our feet on the ground.


Last Sunday morning had a nice long 17 mile flight from the balloon field to Norwood IA (south of Indianola). Once you get off the classic map, there are tons of cattle down there. Then last Monday evening I flew from Otter Creek to a field just north of the balloon field. Thereafter I was grounded for a few days but I was able to get my written test completed. Flew Thursday morning from the balloon field down to a hay field just north of Lake Ahquabi. Visibility that morning was far from ideal, but was still able to maintain at least a mile and a half throughout the flight. On Thursday night had a slow flight from Woodruffs farm north and east of the filed to a house on the southwest side of town. Friday morning the visibility was down in the soup, but after waiting it out Jon Shelton and I flew and had a nice hour and a half long flight. Friday night I soloed, taking off from near Sandyville with the field as the target landing spot. Was able to get a south push early in the flight, but lost it and ended up in a neighborhood just north and east of the field.
I would like to thank my instructors: Bill Clemons, Jim Fromm and Jon Shelton for volunteering their time to help me out. I would also like to thank all my crew this week: Louise, Ashley, Missy, Bret, Brandon, Tyler, Max, Carol, Branden B, Cal, Missy B, Kirk, Thad, Janice and Bob. Of course, all of this would not be possible with out Joel Blankers allowing me to borrow his trailer!!

So, the goals for this fall are to work towards becoming a more competent pilot and take my check ride with the FAA. Once that is completed, I should have my license.

So close yet so far

Back on the road again to continue what has been a very busy summer so far. Made it to Des Moines last night and am attempting to squeeze in some flights as mother nature allows. The weather looks less than ideal, but will try to work with what I have. This morning went down with Jim Fromm to Lake Ahquabi (~20 miles south of Des Moines for those that are not Indianola natives) to try and fly into the balloon field. It was fast aloft but though we could make a quick flight out of it anyway. Got the balloon unpacked and ready to go, and the winds really started to gust up. After re-evaluating, ended up bagging the flight this morning. Hoping for less wind tomorrow morning...

Continuing to Fly

Last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, I was able to get a few great training flights in down at the Classic. I would like to publicly thank Matthew Grote and his crew for all their help in making this possible. On Thursday, I had the opportunity to fly my balloon in Sioux Falls for the first time. Thanks goes to Duane, Mike and Sue for their help in getting me in the air!

I am planning on heading back down to Des Moines this weekend and next week for more flight training. Hopefully mother nature will cooperate.