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© Pacific Coast Aeronauts— August 2016 Downwind Chase

I balloon. Balloon; it’s a noun, a verb and an

adjective. I’m a balloonatic: crazy to put in the amount

of time supporting this sport but I wouldn’t change a

thing. I’ve been asked if it’s my hobby but it’s more of

a life style. Oh you fly? Well, sometimes but I don’t

own a balloon and I’m not a pilot. I could never

convince my Mom she could go on a balloon trip with

us; we get up early, unpack and pack up a balloon, eat,

sleep, eat and sleep. Am I correct or is that just my

experience?

Sorry but I got off my topic. I participated in the

annual inspection of Dana Thornton’s balloon, Free

Spirit last week. No, this is not my first inspection.

I’ve sewed balloon tops, skirts and envelope bags. I’ve

helped Alan Sanderson stitch patches on the envelope.

Is the hole closer to the top or the top or the skirt?

So you find the gore and follow it down to the area

you need to patch. I’m not experienced with tank and

basket inspections but I’ve seen the presentations at

the safety seminar. It’s not very exciting for a crew

member but a necessary topic to cover.

But pilots, I think you ought to drag out your crew

members for the gore by gore envelope inspection.

There are 18 gores on Free Spirit. It takes about an

hour, looking for snags, broken stitches and (oh please

let’s not find any) holes. Experience not necessary but

it will give a better understanding for envelope

handling practices. If you haven’t been there, image 2

people, one on each side of the gore following the load

tape (cloth tape covering the rope load lines in this

case) inspecting each panel and section.

Ever wonder why the

The Official Newsletter for the Pacific Coast Aeronauts

DownWind Chase

View from a Board Member - Linda Walton

In this Issue:

View from the Board 1 & 2

BFA US Nationals / 2nd Women’s World Championship 3

June Meeting Minutes 4

August Tracy Airport Display Day and Fly-In 5

Important Announcements 6

Lincoln Fly In 7

Sonoma County Balloon Classic 8 & 9

Balloon For Sale 10

Tracy Display Day & Fly—IN 11

BFA Balloon Camp 12 & 13

Crewing Essentials and Crew Cards 14

California & Nevada Events / Sunrise Times 15

Greater Northwest Region Events 16

Club Info & Membership 17

August 2016

continued on next page

Please Join Us August 3rd!

7:00 PM Conference Call Meeting

PCA MEMBERS, CREW, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Email reminders about our monthly meetings will contain the Dial-In phone number and conference

call access code.

And you’ll have the opportunity to share in

conversation about the club, flying reports, people’s

experiences, upcoming events, the sport, balloons for

sale, and more!

Participation is growing and YOU can grow it more!

ALL ARE WELCOME! And it’s FREE!


Continued from Page 1, Linda Walton

envelope is twisted in the bag after annual, you’ll understand after seeing the annual. When we put the envelope in the

bag center first, all I could think of was the next morning it was going to come out of the bag on the launch field.

(Note; the section we were sewing was near the skirt and we had to move the envelope over next to the sewing

machine) Honestly Dana, we put it back in your bag skirt first with the vent line on the outside of the fabric. We tried

to keep the parachute lines from getting tangled and the crown line bunched up in a pile but we certainly didn’t add

your usual straps spaced every 6-8 feet. When it was time to close the bag, the three of us, Alan, Dana and I couldn’t

put enough weight it. It took Dana’s experience to get the fabric down in the bag far enough to close the bag.

At the end of the day, the basket and envelope were loaded back into Dana’s truck for the trip home. The necessary

log book entries were made, to last another year. Many thanks for Don and Linda Heisig for opening up their house

for the annual inspection marathon. The current plan is for the PCA holiday party to be held at their house (on the

Sacramento Delta) again this year; date to be determined.

Linda didn’t take any photos

of the annual process, so I

included a couple from one of

my annuals at Bill and Louise

Clemon’s shop in Truro IA

Jeanne Anson


BFA 2016 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship

1st - Rhett Heartsill

2nd - Nick Donner

3rd - Joe Zvada

4th - John Petrehn

5th - Joe Heartsill 6th - Chase Donner

7th - Bill Baker

8th - Andy Baird

9th - Al Nels

10th - Gary Heavin

Rookie of the Year - Keith Lutz NOTE: Youngest average age of the Top 3 = 31.3 years. Though you might find

that 2 of the last names are familiar...2nd generation HAB pilots.

FAI 2017 Young Artist contest—Beyond the Clouds

Does flying make you dream? Yes? Then pick up your pens, pencils or brushes and enter the 2017 FAI

Young Artists Contest to reach for the clouds. The aim is to create a picture that illustrates this year’s

theme “Beyond the Clouds”, and to show us your vision through your eyes!

Youngsters from three age categories: Junior (6-9), Intermediate (10-13), Senior (14-17) are invited to

participate.

For more information check the FAI Website:

http://www.fai.org/news/41424-enter-the-2017-fai-young-artist-contest-and-show-us-your-vision-of-flying

The 2nd FAI Women’s World Hot Air

Balloon Championship in Birstonas, Lituania

took place July 4-10.

Results of the Competition:

1. Nicola Scaife — Austria

2. Anne Herdeqyn — Belgium

3. Cheri White — USA


PCA Meeting Minutes -- July 6, 2016* Submitted by Suzanne Seiler, Board Member

1. Meeting was called to order at 7:03pm Pacific by President Dave Wakefield.

Attendees: Dave Wakefield, Linda Walton, and Suzanne Seiler.

2. Meeting Minutes: Minutes of the June 1, 2016 meeting were not reviewed due to only 3 participants and the

agreed-upon informality of tonight’s meeting (however, if more participants joined in, the minutes would be ad-

dressed if requested).

3. Treasurer’s Report: see #2.

4. Flying Reports:

A. Dave reported on a delightfully insightful cooperative lesson presentation with Cheers balloon and a teacher

at Valley Christian Elementary School in San Jose.

5. Upcoming Events:

A. Tracy Municipal Airport - Aircraft Display Day & Fly-In, scheduled for Saturday July 16: Dave W reported

that Dave Lester arranged with this upcoming event to include and accommodate a sunrise hot air balloon

flight plus he arranged for the event’s start time to change from 11am to 9am, so balloonists could join in

the event’s activities after concluding their flights. Dave W offered that he and Dave L. could write up an

article for the August PCA newsletter.

B. July 23-24 -- Prosser Camping & Fun-Fly: it’s an informal gathering.

C. September 3-4 (Labor Day weekend): Color the Skies, Ripon, CA.

D. September 9-11: Great Reno Balloon Race, Reno, NV.

E. Reminder that WHAMOBASS has moved FROM the last weekend in October (28-30) due to difficulty in get-

ting hotel rooms because of an auto event held annually in the area, TO the second to last weekend Octo-

ber 21-23.

F. Many other events of course, which are always listed in the PCA newsletter.

6. Old Business: None.

7. New Business:

A. Linda discussed musings about balloon themed pillows and tote bags for the club and suggested that some

drawings, samples and the like could be ready by WHAMOBASS.

B. Suzanne suggested that the font size be enlarged in emails sent to the PCA membership. Linda and Dave

agreed to make that change.

8. Dave asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting: Suzanne so motioned, Linda seconded. All agreed. Dave ad-

journed the meeting at 8:10pm Pacific time.

* Note: There was a lot of fun sharing and conversations that weren’t necessarily part of official business, and all three of us

were sorry more people had not joined the FREE conference call meeting. But it’s summertime and some folks are enjoying

vacations and the like (hope you had fun, Jeanne and Tom!).


Would you like to come Fly at the Tracy Fly-IN?

Contact the airport director Nancy Earhart for information and gate codes at: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Calling All Members!!

WANTED PICTURES AND ARTICLES FROM YOU!

Many of you are traveling to and participating

in balloon events. There are a lot of stories and

pictures out there (we know -- we see your

posts and photos on Facebook, Instagram and

the rest of social media)!! Reports may include:

Event details -- who was there, special

shapes, weather, what you did, etc.

Road trip stories (that is, what happened

on your way to and from the event)

And of course, photos

If you can share your stories verbally and on

social media, you can share here too! Just send

your written thoughts via email to

[email protected]. We’ll even help with

writing and editing and THEN …. more

balloonists will get to share in YOUR adventures

too!

THANK YOU !

“Pacific Coast Aeronauts”

Find out what’s happening with the PCA

and other flying adventures!

NOW

Do YOU need to Get Current?

Don’t let your membership float away!

Look at the last page of this newsletter for a form to mail.

Contact us at [email protected] to arrange payment

WHAMOBASS 52 (LII)

Historically, WHAMOBASS was held the

weekend before Thanksgiving because this time frame was closest to the anniversary of

man’s first flight aloft in 1783 in France. In recent years, increasingly wet weather

threatened the event. As a result, it was moved to the last weekend in October.

Same location:

Coaling Station A in Pleasant Valley (Coalinga), CA

WHAMOBASS 2016 will be held

October 21 - 23!

Important Reminders

PCA Monthly Meetings

via FREE Conference Call

Watch your email for the phone number and connect code

Wednesdays, August 3 and Sept 7 @ 7PM PACIFIC TIME


Photo Essay from Dave Wakefield’s FB Page

Photos by Brian Ziolkowski via a Drone


There was some unsettled weather in the forecast for the

2016 SCHABC event. Some rain was moving in from the

north but was not supposed to get as far south as Win-

dsor. Well, so much for weather forecasts.

The Friday morning Media Day started out with an over-

cast sky of about 1800'. At the briefing, the launch was put

on hold to see if the conditions would improve. As we

waited, the ceiling slowly descended and it starting to

sprinkle lightly. As the minutes passed, it continued to get

worse and everyone started putting their equipment away

to keep it dry. The flights were finally canceled and it

ended up raining

lightly throughout

the day and into

the evening. Time

for an early

breakfast.

A Dawn Patrol

flight was planned

for both Saturday

and Sunday. Getting up dark and early to head to the field

on Saturday morning, we found that the ground outside

was still damp from rain. At the field, the skies were

mostly clear with some scattered fog to the southwest

and damp grass. We decided to inflate and eventually

lifted off for a late Dawn Patrol.

As we ascended, the only direction was to the south with

an eventual turn to the southeast. That was good for us,

since we discovered that the fog bank was very thick on

the west side of the airport. All three balloons made it to

the airport or just east of the airport in clear conditions.

As we returned to the field, the day flight had been put on

hold due to that wonderful fog. As it started to burn off,

the field was opened and I waited my turn on the

crowded field.

I finally inflated and took the skies at 8:15am, over 2 hours

after sunrise. Most of the balloons landed at the airport

after some short flights. I continued on and found the con-

ditions starting to change into light and variable with some

light thermals starting to form. I ended up finally landing

after an hour and 45 minutes in an open field about 13

miles south of the launch field. I was not alone with this

long flight. Three other balloons were in the same general

area.

Returning to the field, we were treated to late morning

brunch, instead of the traditional dinner. Plenty of food,

fun and socializing was had by all.

Sunday rolled around with much better conditions. The

skies were clear but the winds were still to the south and

southeast. The Dawn Patrol once again flew to the air-

port. As I waited for my crew to be escorted onto the

airport, a commercial flight was loading their passengers

about one hundred yards away. I gave them a little light

show with Fire2 as they boarded and eventually taxied by.

Sonoma Balloon Classic

June 17, 18 & 19 By Dana Thornton

Photos by Dave Wakefield


The daytime launch was much earlier than Saturday's

with no delays and everyone headed the same direc-

tion as Saturday. Many of the balloons decided to land

at the airport again. As I passed the airport, I climbed

up to about 2,500 feet and found a wind heading back to the north. This was not there on Saturday. I kept

with it and slowly worked my way north and unfortunately east, away from the launch field. As most people

know, they call me "Boomerang" for a reason. It was not to be for this flight. I made it back to just north of

Shiloh road and as I dropped, I ended up in a nice open field just south of Shiloh. It was another wonderful

and uneventful flight.

While the conditions varied over the weekend, the flying turned out to be fun with a little bit of challeng-ing thrown in. I will be looking forward to the 2017 event.

Sonoma Balloon Classic

June 17, 18 & 19 continued

Photos by Dave Wakefield

Photo from Sonoma Balloon Classic FB Page


Flown with Great Care, Joy and Love

90,000CF

BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY

This envelope (and its matching

predecessor) has flown in the

Great Reno Balloon Race

Dawn Patrol for 22 years,

Sonoma County Hot

Air Balloon Festival

and others.

FOR SALE It’s been long bittersweet decision for us …

… for many reasons, it’s simply time.

90,000cf envelope has double spiral stair-step pattern, Nomex skirt, Kevlar cables. Built in 2001,

with only 178 hours (logged immediately following each flight). There is one small patch and a

couple of round sticky patches.

4.5 basket with suede trim has T-3 burner, 4 Worthington 10-gallon padded aluminum tanks

with heaters, carpeted floor.

Last annual in August 2015.

Always stored in an enclosed 6’x10’ Wells Cargo trailer with full rear and side access doors, floor

runners and block for easy movement and anchoring of basket in trailer.

Trailer and all contents included: 2 built-in enclosed cupboards, assorted storage containers for

supplies, glove pockets, fan with Tecumseh engine has always been reliable, envelope bag, large

envelope tarp, safety release tie-off, helium cylinder with pibal inflator valve, dropline with rewind

wheel, tether ropes, 2 Motorola radios.

Includes Dawn Patrol light system fully certified by FAA.

Price $12,000.00

Contact LARRY SEILER

[email protected]

209-403-6208


Gary Michalek and balloon below

RE/MAX Tether with Bob Locklin Piloting

Tracy Airport Display Day and Fly-In By David Wakefield

On July 16th, Tracy Airport held its first ever Display Day and Fly-In. The event featured three balloons launching in the morning with Dave Lester, Bob Hobbs, Gary Michalek, Bob Locklin giving RE/MAX tethered rides and David Wakefield with Amelia Airship. Many great planes and helicopters were on display with formation fly-bys and spectators enjoyed plenty of food from the SactoMoFo Food Truck group. The event was a great success! Nancy Earhart, the airport coordinator said that they had no idea what to expect but were encouraged by the social media involvement in the weeks leading up to the event. On “game day” they estimated over 3000 people came to the show. There will be another Tracy Display Day and Fly-In on August 20th. If you would like to fly contact the airport director Nancy Earhart for information and gate codes at: [email protected]

ABOVE: The line awaiting Tether Rides

Right: Dave Wakefield and Crispin Williams working on

Amelia Airship.



Albuquerque Balloon Camp By Ryan Schneider


2016 BFA Albuquerque Balloon Camp By Ryan Schneider

First I would like to thank Don Boyer and every-one that made the 2016 Albu-querque Bal-loon Camp possible, and what an amazing

camp it was.

Venturing off to any camp over the summer is an ad-venture all on its own. Especially for those of us that came from a few states away or an ocean to come participate and learn about a sport not known by most people. That being said, the camp this summer was truly an experience. Whether it was learning about balloon system on the field or in the classroom, there was never a dull moment, except for the ses-

sion on FAR’s. . . no one wants to sit through that.

Going to the top of Sandia Peak and experiencing

Hypoxia after learning about it before hand was a

good example of practical application.

The dorms were hot, but it’s not that unusual if

you're at an event and the hotel you're staying at isn’t that great. It seems to be one of those things you get

used to as a Balloonist.

We spent a little time on propane and how to re-

fuel the tanks, which is kind of important.

Seeing all the different systems, and getting to

crew for each of them is definitely something you wouldn’t be able to anywhere else. As-sembling the sys-tems where you're allowed to make mistakes, so then the next time you’re crewing, you actu-ally have some idea

of what to do.

Fire suppression is always fun at balloon camp, and the fire at this year’s camp was the largest yet. Using up expired fire extinguishers is practi-cal in learning how to use the tool, and knowing how the tool works (or doesn’t) if it is allowed to

get old.

With this year being able to fly in Albuquerque, the balloon capital of the world, I have had some truly great flying experiences, and met some great friends from all over the US (and Poland). I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend the BFA camp. Thanks to everyone who puts on the camps, and to the clubs

and businesses who sponsor campers.


The PCA has the Crew Safety quick

reference guides,

also by Schwontkowski & Murray,

available for

$3.50 each including postage.

(Contact us for quantity discounts)

Here N O W!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION: “Crewing Essentials”

This is an excellent, well-organized

book with great details about all

aspects of crewing, authored by

Gordon Schwontkowski and Alyson

M u r r a y . C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 8 ,

Paperback. Cost is $18 each or 2

for $35.

If you are interested in

acquiring these resources,

please contact Linda Walton

at [email protected] or

[email protected].


Sunrise Chart for Tracy, CA (Morgan Hill will be approximately 1 minute later)

SIX MONTH SUNRISE CALENDAR

Jul 2016 3 5:49 Aug 2016 7 6:15 Sept 2016 4 6:39

10 5:53 14 6:21 11 6:45

17 5:58 21 6:27 18 6:51

24 6:03 28 6:33 25 6:57

31 6:09

Oct 2016 2 7:03 Nov 2016 7 6:38 Dec 2016 4 7:06

9 7:10 13 6:44 11 7:11

16 7:16 20 6:52 18 7:16

23 7:22 27 6:59 25 7:19

30 7:30

Ballooning Events for 2016

Below is a list of ballooning events for this year. Keep in mind that there may be more events not included

here and dates may be subject to change. Check the links and respective websites for the most current

information.

September 3-4, 2016 (Labor Day weekend) - Soaring Over Ripon (Color the Skies) - Ripon, CA

September 9-11, 2016 - Great Reno Balloon Race - Reno, NV

September 17-18, 2016 - Alturas Balloon Fest - Alturas, CA

September 23-25, 2016 - Montague Balloon Fair - Montague, CA

September 23-25, 2016 - Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival - Elko, NV

October 1-9, 2016 - Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Albuquerque, NM

October 1-5, 2016 - Women’s National Championship ABIF - Albuquerque, NM

October 21- 23, 2016 - WHAMOBASS - Coalinga, CA > NOTE the NEW DATE <

October 28-30, 2016 - ClovisFest - Clovis, CA

December 2-4, 2016 - Red Rock Balloon Rally - Gallup, NM

You can learn about more events by visiting the Balloon Federation of America website at:

http://www.bfa.net/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=categoriesdetailed&Itemid=88889110

If you know of other events or receive

news of changes to these events ...

please email us at [email protected]

with pertinent

information.

THANK YOU!

Check the next page for upcoming events in the

Greater Northwest Region

http://www.riponchamber.org/chamber_foundation/color_the_skies.aspx

http://www.renoballoon.com/

http://www.alturaschamber.org/balloon-fest.html

http://visitsiskiyou.org/events/annual-festivals-events/montague-balloon-fair/

http://www.rubymountainballoonfestival.com/

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

http://www.pcaballoons.org/whamobass2014.htm


Events in the Greater Northwest Region Thank you to the Willamette Aerostat Society for the list below

Event information in this newsletter is not to be considered as an endorsement by either the PCA or the WAS, their respective

officers or respective members. Contact the respective events for their most up-to-date information.

August 26-28, 2016 Northwest Art & Air Festival Albany, OR http://nwartandair.org August 30 - September 4, 2016 Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic Boise, ID For more information http://spiritofboise.com This is a “By Invitation Only” rally September 2-5, 2016 The Alvord Playa Rally & Campout Contact: Cheryl Isaacs 971-226-7239 [email protected] September 9-11, 2016 The Great Reno Balloon Race Reno, NV For more information: http://www.renoballoon.com September 9-11, 2016 Quincy Valley Balloon Festival Quincy, WA Contact: Kent/Kim Bacon http://www.partiesonthegreen.com September 16-18, 2016 Alturas Balloon Fest Alturas, CA Contact: Alturas Chamber of Comm. 530-233-4434 September 17, 2016 Hop & Heritage Festival Independence, OR Contact: Mark Trujillo [email protected] September 23-25, 2016 The Great Prosser Balloon Rally Prosser, WA For more information: http://www.prosserballoonrally.org

Montague Balloon Fair September 23-25, 2016 Montague, CA Check out their Facebook page for more information October 12-16, 2016 Walla Walla Balloon Stampede Walla Walla, WA For more information:

http://www. wallawallaballoonstampede.com

Photo by Jeanne Anson


Board Member Position End Term Year

Pat Moore: Chairman of Board 16

David Wakefield: President/Board Member 17

Tom Sharpee: Vice President/Board Member 17

Linda Walton: Treasurer/Board Member 16

Jeanne Anson: Secretary (volunteer)

Jeff Haliczer: Board Member 16

Bob Locklin: Board Member 16

Suzanne Seiler: Board Member 17

PCA Board Members and Officers

Disclaimer

Information contained within this issue of

the DOWNWIND CHASE is the most up-to-date

and correct information available at the

time this newsletter was issued. The PCA,

its Officers and Directors are not

responsible for the accuracy of the material

enclosed herein. Opinions expressed in the

Downwind Chase are solely those of the

individual authors and should not be

perceived to be those of the PCA, the

Editor, Publisher, or its leadership.

Membership & Shirts: Cost:

Pilot or Crew: $ 20.00

Family Membership: $ 30.00

For Postal Delivery of the Newsletter: $ 5.00

PCA Pins: 1 for $3.00 or 2 for $5.00

WHAMOBASS #50 Pins: $ 10.00

Shipping: $ 1.00

Please make checks payable to:

Pacific Coast Aeronauts

Mail to:

Linda Walton—Treasurer

Pacific Coast Aeronauts

14938 Camden Ave., Suite 76

San Jose, CA 95124

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Awards: “Magic” Bob Locklin

Education: Jeanne Anson

Montgolfier Dinner: Volunteer Needed

Junior Balloonists: Jeanne Anson/David Wakefield

Newsletter/Facebook: Linda, Suzanne & Jeanne

Safety Seminar: Linda Walton & David Wakefield

Website: Jeanne Anson & Dave Wakefield

WHAMOBASS: Pat Moore

Winter Party: Linda Walton & friends

Pilot Briefing: Tools to Plan Your Flight

Tracy AWOS 209-831-4335

San Martin AWOS 408-918-7724

Flight Service 800-992-7433

If you have your favorite flight planning resource, send

us a note at [email protected] and we’ll publish it

here.

2016 Committee Chairs:

Please print clearly. You may use this form to update your contact information as well. _____Pilot _____Crew

Name (s): _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________ (Number) (Street) (Apt) (City) (State) (Zip)

Phone — please check preferred: (Home) _______________________ (Mobile) ________________________

Email: _______________________________________________________________________________


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