The Scoop Volume XV, Issue 8, August, 2002

This newsletter is published by The Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society for its members and interested parties. Portions of this publication may be reproduced if credit is given to the writer and to CLAS. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the organization or mem-bers of this organization (but if they were they’d be damn good ones).

For more information, contact Mick Murphy Editor PO Box 53, Southbury, CT 06488

Fosset Glider forced to Land A glider that American tycoon Steve Fossett hopes to fly to the edge of space made an emergency landing Saturday while being tested by another pilot. The glider, flown by retired NASA pilot Einar Enevoldson, 70, flew just three miles before it landed on a safety strip at Omarama on New Zealand's South Island. "We let go a bit low off the tow (plane) and the lift disappeared," Bill Walker, the second pilot on the project, said from Omarama, 415 miles south-west of the capital Wellington. Fossett, 58, who earlier this month became the first man to fly a balloon solo around the world, was expected to arrive in New Zealand early next week for his attempt at the world glider height record. For the record attempt, the glider will be towed by a plane to 3,000 feet to catch soaring winds and updrafts that will hopefully take it into the stratosphere. The team plans to harness powerful updrafts above New Zealand's South Island to soar 62,000 feet, or about 13,000 feet above the gliding altitude record of 49,009 feet. After being towed back up into the air Saturday, the pair pushed the modified Glaser Dirks DG-505 glider to just under 30,000 feet over a four-hour flight designed to check the plane's systems in the high altitude chill conditions. "Walker said it's minus 8 de-grees outside the plane. I had my drink bottle freeze up on me in the cockpit -- it was quite cold," he said. When Fossett and Enevoldson make their record attempt they will wear space suits similar to those used by U.S. space shut-tle crews. The team wants to get beyond the troposphere at 50,000 feet, which has never been done. If they succeed in setting a record, the pair hopes to return next year with a special pressurized glider and fly to the edge of space at more than 100,000 feet. The test team will try to reach 40,000 feet Sunday to further test the glider and their suits.

FLIGHT PLANNED FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 11 The weather pattern we have been watching for the last week is now due to arrive Sunday afternoon. It is still too early to judge if the winds will be sufficient for an attempt into the Stratosphere or if they will only provide an opportunity for an impor-tant test flight similar to the one on July 20. On July 20, Einar Enevold-son flew with Bill Walker as co-pilot to 30,000 feet but did not make the transition into the Polar Vortex to continue into the stratosphere.

The anticipated Sunday flight is the last possibility during the current al-titude campaign in New Zealand. It is apparent that another campaign will be required to achieve the major objectives of the Perlan project. The best month of the year to fly in the Polar Vortex is June. Discussions are under way to return to Omarama New Zealand for a full month of alti-tude attempts in June 2003. Tuesday, August 6 reserve pilot Bill Walker flew with John Robinson of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Newly installed Ozone and UV sen-

sor systems were tested. Successful data recording was confirmed. Ozone and ultraviolet radiation (UV) data collected in the Polar Vortex will be an important scientific contribution of the Perlan project. Glide tests were also performed. Additional glide tests will be performed today, Wednesday, then steps will be taken to clean up the aerodynamic drag of our scientific sensors.

2002 CLAS Officers

President: Tony Roswell Phone: 203-264-5066 E-mail: Trozwell@aol.com

Vice Pres: Daryl Smith Phone: 860-742-3681 E-mail: Daryl@kbz.com

Secretary: Jim O’Brien Phone: 203-891-8333 E-mail: webmaster@lighterthanair.org

Treasurer: Jack Perry Phone: 203-263-5962 E-mail: Jackp02@sprynet.com

Historian for Life: Mike Bollea Phone: 860-677-0647

Staff Photographer Charlie Perreault Phone: 860-426-0814- E-mail: Worldadvr@aol.com

Webmaster: Jim O’Brien

Phone: 203– 891-8333 E-mail: webmaster@lighterthanair.org

Committee Chair Members

BFA Liaison: Santo Galatioto Phone: 203-397-0521 E-mail: Santo.galatioto@yale.edu

Competition: Mike Bollea Phone: 860-677-0647

Education: Daryl Smith Phone: 860-429-9462 E-mail: Daryl@kbz.com

FAA Liaison: Robert Zirpolo Phone: 203-250-8441 E-mail: robertzirpolo@attbi.com

Flight Manual: Penny Christy Phone: 860-638-3803 E-mail: pmchristy@earthlink.net

Membership: Ellen Dressel Phone: 203-272-6116 E-mail: Edressel@99main.com

Nominating: Open

Products: Cindy Smith Phone: 860-429-9462 E-mail: Daryl@kbz.com

Refreshments: Carlos Kebe Phone: 203-639-4883 E-mail: tato@aol.com

Sunshine: Terri Rollinson Phone: 203-264-5066 E-mail: Trozwell@aol.com

Winter Dinner: Al Theodore Phone: 860-658-0228 E-mail: abttheo@aol.com

Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office

Tele: (860)654-1000 or Fax: (860)654-1009

Kenneth D. Roach Manager Bob Martens, Safety Program Manager Robert.Martens@faa.gov (860)654-1002 Peter Lindberg, Safety Program Manager (860)654-1033 Peter.Lindberg@faa.gov

www.faa.gov/region/ane/flight_standards/index.htm

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2K2 CLAS Meeting Schedule

January 17 Business

February 21 Education

March 21 Business

April 18 Education

May 16 Business

June 20 Education

July 18 Business

August 15 Education

September 19 Business

October 17 Education

November 21 Business

December 19 Party

July 19-20, 2002

Green River Music and Balloon Festival Greenfield, Ma.

July 26-28, 2002

Wakefield Rotary Balloon Festival Kingston, RI

July 26-28, 2002

NEW JERSEY FESTIVAL OF BALLOONING Read-ington, NJ Solberg Airport

Aug 2-4, 2002 Pittsfield, NH Aug 17-19, 2001 ?

Greenville NY

Aug 16-18, 2002

Great Falls Balloon Festival - Lewiston/Auburn, ME

Aug 17-19, 2001 ?

Waldbaum's Balloon Festival - Brookhaven, NY (LI), Brookhaven Airport

Aug 23-26, 2002

Plainville Fireman's Balloon Festival - Norton Park, Plainville, CT

Aug 31-Sep 3, 2001?

New York State Festival of Balloons - Dansville, NY

Sept 20-22, 2002

Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival - Glens Falls, NY County Airport

Dec 6-8, 2002 ? Mt. Washington Balloon Gathering - Schuler Park, N. Conway, NH (N. Conway Chamber of Commerce)

2002 Balloon Festivals

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CLAS Business Meeting: July 18, 2002 Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present: Daryl Smith, Tony Roswell, Terri Rollinson, Cindy Smith, Lisa Huck, Al Theodore, Charlie Perrault, Erwin Dressel, Ellen Dressel, Mike Bollea, Santo Galatioto, Jim O’Brien Minutes Minutes were read from the last 2 meetings, a business meeting in May and an education meeting in June. Accepted unani-mously. Treasurer’s Report Checking account: $2,059.08. CD’s: $5,300 The detailed report of the audit committee, promised at the last business meeting, can not take place this evening since the rele-vant members were unable to attend. We will do this at the next business meeting, in September. Accepted unanimously. Correspondence No business. Sunshine Tony Roswell read a letter from Mrs. Arlene Griswold, a “thank you” for the get well card we sent her as she recovered from her recent stroke. Also we sent a card to Judith Ushchak. Products Merchandise on hand: $2,035. Current sales: $0 On hand value includes calendars valued at $1, but calendars are probably not worth even $1 at this point. Tony wondered if we should pursue trading products with other clubs. Cindy wondered if we should try selling stuff on eBay (we have 97 mugs in stock, e.g.). Erwin suggested we could sell product at the Meriden event in September. [Santo was trying to sell 2 unneeded (and unsanctioned as club product) GPS’s. Erwin swears they’re “hot.”] Membership Current number: 66 There are three new members since the last meeting. We still have 16 from last year to follow up on. Santo suggested it was time to change the Scoop password on the website, which was agreed. We need to get the up-to-date membership list to JO’B so he can set up a separate mailing list for the Scoop. All current and past members should probably continue to get e-mails about meetings, fly-outs, etc. Santo suggested limiting monthly club fly-out to members. Daryl suggested that we should welcome all to fly, but only members to participate in competition, which seemed reasonable to the attendance. It was agreed that we need an active outreach effort to get people more involved, both current members and former ones. Santo suggested we try to get a couple of meetings a year to bring out the old-timers/senior club members, perhaps a founders meeting, a reunion or some such event. [I’m sure Santo wishes we had more members, as potential buyers of his GPS’s for sale.] Flight Manual Tony wanted to know if there were any new red zones. Penny will bring flight manuals to the Ushchak fly-out on Saturday and Ellen will have the by-laws insert. [Santo didn’t mention, but I’m sure was thinking, that a GPS, such as the ones he’s selling, is very helpful in avoiding the red zones in the flight manual.] Education Daryl received a letter from the BFA, approving the May 2002 SafetyFest. We have not yet had a bill for any expenses for the speakers. We expect an expense report from Sid Conn. (We should make a memorial contribution, or at least send a message of condolences, to the family of Charlie Gardner, of Firefly, who recently passed away). Daryl said we should begin discussion of next year’s seminar, which we should colocate with SafetyFest. It is helpful for bal-looning to be represented, but perhaps we should have a one-day seminar also. Another idea would be to do an annual inspection on some balloons, but we’d have to investigate the BFA approval for such a “single-subject” seminar. We could try to invite a couple of repair stations. There was additional discussion of allying with the NH “Iron Butt” seminar. Another idea is to get a featured speaker. Santo, wearing his FAA hat, will write Steve Fossett to see if he’d speak at an FAA seminar. That would certainly guarantee attendance. The bottom line is that we should ensure our contin-ued commitment to safety and training. Santo reported that Kathy Wadsworth said we could use her field for our August meet-ing, an open-air basket comparison and cookout. The date is August 15 at 6:30pm. We’ll need a tent if it rains. We organized volunteers for the different types of basket. Everyone should BRING BUG SPRAY! We should ask the newsletter editor to pro-duce, by August 1, an abbreviated August “Scoop” with information about the meeting, these minutes, etc. It was agreed that we would pay for the food (hamburgers and hot dogs) out of the CLAS education budget. Daryl will draft the announcement. [Santo would probably agree that GPS’s, such as the ones he has for sale, are very educational in learning the flying area.] Competition Erwin reported on Litchfield, description in the Scoop. Fly-out scheduled for Ushchak’s field this Saturday, July 20. Usual rules, > 6kt at MMK, FD 3000 > 25kt at BDL. [Santo mentioned that his GPS’s for sale were very useful for competition fly-ing.] FAA Santo received a thank-you letter from the FSDO for our contribution to SafetyFest. [Santo says that some GPS’s are FAA-approved for instrument approaches.]

(Continued on page 4)

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Education Meeting and Club Cookout This Month

The August Education Meeting will be held at Katy Wadsworth’s launch field in Farmington on Thursday, August 15th starting at 6:30 PM. This month’s educa-tion topic will focus on assembling and rigging differ-ent manufacturers systems. We will have 4 different balloon systems on hand for the training: Aerostar, Lindstrand, Cameron and a Firfly system. We will go over the technique for assembling the baskets, up-rights, burners, fuel lines and systems, instruments, and attachments for the envelope to the basket. We will also learn about any special preflight checks re-quired by the manufacturer and review the preflight and in-flight checklists for each system. This is a good opportunity for crewmembers, pilots and prospective new members, to see how these different systems go together as well as a chance to sample the fusstidi-dyness of each of the owner/pilots. This months meeting will start one hour earlier, 6:30 PM, in order to have time to complete the differences training on each system and still have plenty of time for a pot luck cookout supper and club social time. The club is providing hamburgers and hot dogs; members should bring a dish or paper product contribution for the cook out. Please Please Please do contact Ellen Dressel by August 8th to discuss what is needed to make this a balanced pot luck supper and what you can bring. Don’t wait until the day before to ask what you can bring. The success of this kind of meal and club outing is advanced planning, or we’ll all end up eating chips and pretzels for supper. If you don’t know how to get to Katy’s launch field contact one of the club officers or one of the members in the Farmington valley. Please don’t drive up onto the launch field, park on the side of the road or in the crew parking area and walk up to the launch field. Other items I would highly recommend to bring are: a folding chair, bug spray, and a new prospective member. Hope to see you all there, Daryl Smith

(Continued from page 3) BFA Nothing. [It’s not clear that the BFA has any position on GPS’s like Santo’s, but recent arti-cles in Ballooning and Bal-loon Life magazines suggest that most pilots are now using them.] Winter Dinner Tony suggested that the cur-rent committee think about booking last year’s venue. [Unfortunately for Santo, this means we won’t need GPS’s since we already know the way from last year.] Other Business The town of Meriden is hav-

ing a street festival event, “Festival on Main,” on Satur-day, September 21. They are looking for a couple of bal-loons to fly out of a down-town location, as well as a commercial balloon to do tether rides. Apparently the initial downtown location suggested is not appropriate. Respectfully [although per-haps not as respectfully as usual, particularly to Santo] submitted, Jim O’Brien, Sec-retary.

A Testy Branson Flirts With the Market Again

LONDON - IN 1988, nearly two years after selling shares to the public in one of Britain's most hotly sub-scribed initial public offerings, the Virgin Group, the music and entertainment company founded by Richard Branson, was struggling. A looming recession had begun taking a toll on profits and the 1987 stock market crash had left Virgin shares trading at slightly more than half their offering price. So Mr. Branson, frustrated by what he deemed the shortsightedness of the public markets, took the company pri-vate again.

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Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society

2002 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Twelve photographs will be featured in the CLAS 2003 Calendar Deadlines 7:30 pm, Thursday, September 19, 2002.

• Subject: Any ballooning related subject, pictures of balloons, pictures from balloon, etc. Hint, the judges generally favor pictures of local balloons and events. • Contest is open to all CLAS members and their family. • Limit 3 entries per person. Members may submit photographs by non-members, however, those

photographs count toward their limit of three entries. • Please submit 8 x 10 photographs with your name, address and phone number on the back. • Photographs will be judged by members present at the September 19th meeting. • All entries will be returned to owner. • Send entries to Jack Perry, 206 Railtree Hill Road, Woodbury, CT 06798.

PRIZES 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and 9 Honorable Mention

Photographs will be featured in the CLAS 2003 Calendar. 1st Place: four CLAS 2003 Calendars. 2nd Place: three CLAS 2003 Calendars. 3rd Place: two CLAS 2003 Calendars.

Our next competition will be held at the Plainville Balloon rally, on Saturday morning Au-gust 24 with a backup date of Sunday August 25. We'll probably go for judges de-clared goal and see if we can get it right this year. Most of you should remember the K-Mart parking lot last year; most of us flew West of the target by at least 1/4 mile! Pilots that plan to compete should get their Balloon laid out and report to Mike Bollea's truck for the Pilot's briefing at 5:45 AM. They also need to sign in. Crew can sign in anytime at Mike's truck. We had a great flying day, (a little haze) out of the Ushchak Aerodrome Saturday June 22. Three Pilots showed up and we started the competition with the coffee walk. Each Pilot needed to fly 60 feet tied to their crew person with six feet of crate paper. That crew person also walked with a full coffee cup. Unfortunately, it was so calm on the surface that other crew members needed to push the basket along. Second place went to Penny Christy; her crew person spilled some water. First place went to Mike Bollea and Erwin Dressel since our crew people made the walk with full cups. We will defiantly try the coffee walk again since it was great fun. I really don't want to talk about our judge declared goal since we vacillated on the location of the target after we got into the air. However, based on that experience, we will not be changing the location of the target again unless there is some safety factor involved.

AUGUST

SUNRISE SUNSET SUNRISE SUNSET 5:47 AM 8:10 PM 1 6:19 AM 7:26 PM 5:48 AM 8:09 PM 2 6:20 AM 7:24 PM 5:49 AM 8:08 PM 3 6:21 AM 7:23 PM 5:50 AM 8:07 PM 4 6:22 AM 7:21 PM 5:51 AM 8:05 PM 5 6:23 AM 7:19 PM 5:52 AM 8:04 PM 6 6:24 AM 7:18 PM 5:53 AM 8:03 PM 7 6:25 AM 7:16 PM 5:55 AM 8:02 PM 8 6:26 AM 7:14 PM 5:55 AM 8:02 PM 9 6:27 AM 7:12 PM 5:56 AM 7:59 PM 10 6:28 AM 7:11 PM 5:57 AM 7:58 PM 11 6:29 AM 7:09 PM 5:58 AM 7:56 PM 12 6:30 AM 7:07 PM 5:59 AM 7:55 PM 13 6:31 AM 7:06 PM 6:00 AM 7:54 PM 14 6:32 AM 7:04 PM 6:01 AM 7:52 PM 15 6:33 AM 7:02 PM 6:02 AM 7:51 PM 16 6:34 AM 7:01 PM 6:03 AM 7:50 PM 17 6:35 AM 6:59 PM 6:05 AM 7:48 PM 18 6:36 AM 6:57 PM 6:05 AM 7:46 PM 19 6:37 AM 6:55 PM 6:06 AM 7:45 PM 20 6:38 AM 6:54 PM 6:08 AM 7:44 PM 21 6:39 AM 6:52 PM 6:09 AM 7:42 PM 22 6:40 AM 6:50 PM 6:10 AM 7:41 PM 23 6:41 AM 6:48 PM 6:11 AM 7:39 PM 24 6:42 AM 6:47 PM 6:12 AM 7:37 PM 25 6:43 AM 6:45 PM 6:13 AM 7:36 PM 26 6:44 AM 6:43 PM 6:14 AM 7:34 PM 27 6:44 AM 6:42 PM 6:15 AM 7:33 PM 28 6:46 AM 6:40 PM 6:16 AM 7:31 PM 29 6:47 AM 6:38 PM 6:17 AM 7:29 PM 30 6:48 AM 6:36 PM 6:18 AM 7:28 PM 31

SEPTEMBER Balloons Over Plainville

Did you miss the 17th annual Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival in Plainville, Connecticut? The event was held on a perfect summer weekend in August, 2001, and the balloon launch at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 25? The first "Balloon Rally" in Plainville was held in honor of the Plainville Fire Company's 100th anniversary. Now, 17 years later, the free event has grown to feature dozens of vibrantly colored hot air balloons, fireworks, a crafts festival, an auto show and children's activities. This year, there were three balloon launches--at 6 a.m. on Sat-urday and Sunday and at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Needless to say, I didn't drag my carcass out of bed early enough to make either of the 6 a.m. flights, but luckily the Saturday evening weather was perfect for a balloon photography expedition. If you decide to attend the next annual Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival, defi-nitely plan to arrive early, and bring a lawn chair or blanket. The traffic en route to Norton Park, the balloon festival location on Route 177 in Plainville, was dense, and many of the bal-loons were already airborne by the time we ar-rived and parked.

1987 Cameron DP-70 Airship.GBNXG, 22TT.Complete w/box trailer, 2/10-gal.alum.cyls.,2-cylce/4-cyl.Konig radial engine 570cc,banner areas 2 sides, all very good/excellent condition, one private owner.$25,000. Contact 860-678-7921 or delano120@aol.com

1999 Firefly AX-8.N7053Z, 45TT.5.basket,dual Mirage,DT-21,turning vent,two master tanks 25,000. 1997 FireFly AX-9.N3085Z,140TT.5.5.basket dual T3s,DT-21,6 tanks, $27,000. Both can be viewed at www.Berkshireballoons.com

1992 Cameron V-77 Envelope (300tt) with Single Mark lV Burner and 42x48 Basket with 3 ten gal. tanks, annual 9/10/01. $3500.00 or Best Over. Call Bill Colyer Tel-203-255-1929 or cell 203-257-4242 and via e-mail ayankeeballoons@aol.com

Miscellaneous Items

Wanted

Collectibles: If you are looking to sell or just get rid of any LTA memorabilia or unique collectibles please contact Mick 860-567-3448 or Blarney007@aol.com.

Garmin 3 plus GPS with local area map loaded, great for ballooning $190 (new cost about $300). Magellan 2000 gps, gives basis GPS info such as direction and speed $100. Call Santo 203-432-9873 day or 203-397-0521 eve.

ADVERTISING RATES FULL PAGE $20.00 8” X 10” 1/2 PAGE $15.00 5” X 8” 1/4 PAGE $10.00 4” X 5” 1/8 PAGE $ 5.00 (business card)

CLASSIFIED RATES Classified ads are $3.00 per line. Each line is approximately 50 spaces. “N” numbers and Total Time are required for all listings. Classified ads are free to CLAS members in good standing!!! If you have an article or advertisement for the “Scoop”, please submit it to the PO Box Address or send via E-Mail to: Blarney007@aol.com. by August 1st for the August Newsletter.

Scoop Advertising Rates

CLASSIFIED

CLAS Merchandise Sale

CLAS Club Pins 5 for $20 Landowner Pins 15 for $15

CLAS Mugs 6 for $25 CLAS Decals 5 for $1

CLAS Short and Long Sleeve T-Shirts. Buy one get the 2nd at ½ price. The higher price prevails.

Short Sleeve Long Sleeve Medium $12

Large $16 Large $18 XLarge $16 XLarge $18

XXLarge $16 XXLarge $20

To place your order call Cindy Smith at 860-742-3681 Or e-mail at cindyjayne@mindspring.com

1992 FF 7 N2573B 77,000 cu. ft. 268 hrs flies pilot and two nice and tight. Nomex skirt. "4.5" 3 tank basket with T-3 burner, 3-10 gallon tanks with heated covers. Ball instruments. Sold with new hoses installed (good for another ten years), recon-ditioned and re-laced scuff leather, new stainless floor to wicker cable and fresh an-nual inspection 5/02. $6,250

CONNECTICUT LIGHTER THAN AIR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society is a club for anyone interested in learning about, participating in and improving the sport of ballooning. Pilots, crew, and enthusiasts alike are welcome and ALL can contribute to the safety, enjoyment and education of the sport. Meetings are scheduled during the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec on the third Thursday of the month at the Plainville Municipal building at 7:30 pm. For more information, contact any of the officers listed inside this newsletter.

CLAS 2001 dues are $20.00 for new and renewing members.

Newsletter Subscription $ 15 Pins $ 5. ($3 for members) Decals $ 2 ($1 for members) Landowner pins(members only) $ 21.90 (15 pins) CLAS T-Shirts $ 12. And up-Various Styles (Add $3.00 for shipping) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NAME________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________ TELEPHONE Home__________________Work_____________________DATE OF BIRTH__________________ New member Renewing members Single $20____ Single $20____. Crew____ Student Pilot____ Private Pilot____. Commercial Pilot ____ BFA CAAP: Level __________ BFA PAAP Level__________ FAA WINGS Level______ Newsletter only___________ Pin _____Decal_____ Landowner pins _____T-Shirts. (S) ___(M) ___(L) ___ (XL) ___ BFA#_______________ Pilot Certificate # ____________________ E-Mail_______________________

Make checks payable to and Mail to: CLAS, PO Box 53, Southbury,CT 06488-0053

The Scoop / CLAS PO Box 53 Southbury, CT 06488-0053

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