Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/33292
Larry Ratkoviak I became affiliated with members of the ballooning community as a result of a welcome home and awards ceremony recognizing the return home of military personnel from Desert Shield and Desert Storm in December 1991. The intended use of balloons was dashed by early morning thunder- storms, but the ceremonies and associated “tailgating” spawned my continued interest in the sport of bal- looning and a camaraderie equalled by none. Many years of crewing for and later learning to fly from close friends Tony Rivara and Koh Murai — with all due respect to others too numer- Continued on page 14 Terri Ratkoviak My parents introduced me to bal- looning back in 1993 when they spon- sored a balloon at the then “Siskiyou County Balloon Fair.” I took my first ride that weekend and crewed for the next year. Deciding that this was the sport for me, I then decided to buy myself a Christmas present, purchasing my first balloon, Scarlet Ribbons, in December 1995. Five months later I received my Private Pilot Certificate. Living in Bullhead, Ariz. didn’t give me that many options for flying so I packed up and moved to Reno, Nev. in 1995. I met my husband through the ballooning community and now it is a family affair with son Riley, 7. Continued on page 14 Marianne LeDoux My husband, Bob, and I started hot air ballooning in 1980 when Bob decided to swap his beautiful glider for our first balloon. We "paid our dues" with the early morning long drives to launch sites for Bob's instruction and the grueling "how to be the perfect crew chief les- sons." There were the perks of finding new friends the beauty of our colorful hot air balloon, Sundance, the fun of sharing our adventures and learning about this whole, new unknown world. After Bob completed his commer- cial license, it became my turn to learn to fly. I was hooked big time! Bob is a very thorough and demand- ing instructor. Despite all his efforts, Continued on page 14 Gary Peterson I have been flying balloons for 15 years and been to many events around the country. I finished in the money at the Great Reno Balloon race several times in the past several years and had the privelage of giving a wonder- ful lady a ride on her 100th birthday several years ago. I am a retired Los Angeles Fire- man and my wife and I have 6 grand- children and 4 great grandchil- dren. Ken Lehr I got my start in aviation at the age of 15 learning to fly in the family airplane and getting my pilot's license before I had a driver's license. In the late '80s, I got interested in hot air balloons and soon found a few Sacramento pilots willing to teach me to fly balloons while acting as their crew help. My wife, Marianne, and I are still enjoying the balloon as well as the airplane. Frankly, the airplane seems to work out better for arriving at planned destinations. Marianne and I participated in the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for many Gary Michalek Brann Smith I began flying in 1999 after taking a balloon ride in Portland, Ore. After learning how to fly and talk at the same time, I decided to start a Hot Air Balloon Company in Bend Oregon. Beautiful flying but long win- ters of no flying. I moved to Las Vegas in 2006 and have found that what I really enjoy about ballooning is all the nice people you meet at these wonderful balloon events. Happy landings, and if you see a hot air balloon in the air, don't forget to wave and say hi — I'll be looking. Page 8 Tony Rivara I started the bizarre, but fascinat- ing sport of ballooning in 1989 by crewing for Hank Frohlich. He then became my instructor in the art of fly- ing hot air balloons. I have held my commercial license for the last 20 years. I bought my Aerostar balloon, which I still fly today, in 1990. My Family and I have traveled through out the northwest including, Portland, Ore., Boise, Idaho, Yreka, Reno, Nev. and other cities attending small rallies. My ultimate favorite Continued on page 14 Thursday, June 2, 2011 Jay Schuler The love of ballooning has been passed down from our parents, along with our first balloon, Charlie Sky- walker, a 1985 raven 105. We now fly Aquatude, a 90,000 cubic foot FireFly Hot Air Balloon purchased in 2005, based in Reno, Nev. The balloon has a capacity of a pilot and three passengers and good friends. Our faithful crew includes Dawn Schuler, Tim and Kathi Ivens and Monica, Zackary and Elsie Schuler With Aquatude comes altitude with attitude. For information send an email to AQUATUDEHOTAIR@AOL.COM I earned my balloon pilot certificate in 1987 and fly an Aerostar Rally 90 and a 31,000-cubic-foot chair balloon. I fly in 12-14 organized events each year plus other weekends during the summer when weather permits. There have been many memorable flights over the years — scenic flights with Mt. Shasta as a backdrop, intriguing ones like flying over the Altamont Pass or 30- to 40-mile long distance flights in the Central Valley and the Sierras. I'd say the most interesting aspect of flying is the passengers. Whether it's their first or 20th time, everybody takes away a unique experience and the great part about it is that I get to enjoy it with them. Jimmy Long, I have a family history of aviation. My father was an aircraft mechanic and sold his 1927 biplane after the war broke out. He served as a machinist while my mother worked as a "Rosie The Riveter," both for Douglas Aircraft, through WWII. I grew up with a passion for fly- ing, have owned a Cessna C-205 for nearly 20 years and am an instru- ment rated commercial pilot. Besides flying, I farm my small vine- yard and enjoy diving for Abalone on the Sonoma coast. I am the owner of Sonoma Star, a 105,000-cubic-foot Lindstrand Bal- loon. Red Bluff Daily News