Up, Up and Away! 

Hot air balloons have been around for a long time. The first one took flight in 1783 in France. The Montgolfier Brothers were responsible although they did not pilot the balloon.  It is not certain which of the three on board was the actual pilot. It was either the sheep, the duck, or the rooster.

 It was a full year later before a human soared in a balloon. They were used during the Civil War to enable the North to spy on the South. 

 Early balloons were filled with hydrogen. This, being easily ignitable was later replaced with hot air.

 Today we love the romance and adventure of ballooning. To be that high up and away from all our day to day cares gives us a feeling of euphoria.

 This morning out at the Warren County Airport, the bustle of balloonists could be seen with last minute preparations for flight. Balloonists are a seemingly carefree group of individuals who are really very dedicated to their art. Yes, ballooning is an art form.

 It is also a carefully planned scientific operation.  Everything must be checked and double-checked to insure a safe and pleasant flight. 

 Wind is very important factor. Balloons usually take off at sunrise and sunset because it is then that the wind currents are at their slowest. A ten-mile per hour wind is best because it allows for better control of the flight.

 Once everything is checked, a crew is assembled to inflate the balloon. Arms with strong muscles, and fans are required here to inflate these huge balloons. Cold air is blown inside the balloon to raise the whole thing up.  Once the balloon is filled the propane burners are used to heat the air causing the balloon to rise.

 Care must be taken to insure that the balloon doesn’t leave without it’s pilot. This is called tethering. Now the balloon is ready for lift off.

 During flight there are many things to be avoided. Steering a balloon is not impossible, but requires expert handling of both the ripcord and the burner. Letting small amounts of hot air escape will allow the balloon to land safely, while firing up the burner will cause it to rise. The air currents at different levels alter, allowing a pilot who understands these currents to control his or her craft.

 On the ground the chase crew follows carefully alerting the balloonist to possible dangers such as power lines. In the air these are invisible. Some teams use a G.P.S., a Global Positioning System to track their balloon. A balloon usually does not rise any higher than 1000 feet. The maximum is 12, 500. At this point it is necessary for the passengers in the gondola to use oxygen in order to breathe.

 Balloonists come from all over the world to participate in the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Balloon enthusiasts flock to the airport and nearby roads and fields, cameras at the ready to record this awesome event. If their photo is selected as the best, the photographer wins a ride in a balloon piloted by Dick Young.

 Walt Grishcot, organizer of all this beauty, tells us that there are over one hundred balloons here this year. Among them will be teams from the Netherlands and Switzerland. In particular is the team from the Netherlands with a balloon that flies upside down. This is a real treat to watch, as are the many specialty balloons.

 Aviation Mall is represented by a 150-foot tall balloon in the shape of a daisy. Miss Daisy is bright eyed on one side and winking on the other.  Her pilot is Kenny Weiner from Tampa, Florida.  The balloon was built in South Dakota, by Aerostar Int. Co..

 Many visitors and crews were present for the Flying Farmers Breakfast in the airport hanger.  Several other events, including kite-flying demonstrations, a balloon are show, as well as various military aircraft were on display.

 This morning at 6:30 AM, 100 balloons took to the skies in a few minutes of pure delight to the spectators on the ground. At 5:00 PM they will repeat the performance again, with a final liftoff of 15 taking off from Lake George tonight at 8:00 PM accompanied by a both noisy and colorful display of fireworks. The event is free to the public with modest charges for food and souvenirs.