One of the greatest things about Balloons Over Vermilion is the variety of people you meet, and that includes the balloon pilots themselves. Mark Woodard grew up in St. Joseph, pursued his interest in airplane flying while a U of I student, changed his major from Engineering to Business and Aviation, and became a pilot. But when he was supposed to go to Charlotte for training on the 767, they had no room for him. The rest is ballooning history.
AUDIO: But the simulators were full there, so they sent me to Phoenix for the simulators, three weeks in the simulators. So I took a (balloon) ride with a guy out there, and just fell in love with it. The next day I started taking lessons. So I was in the simulator between 10 PM and 2 AM, then I’d go back to the hotel, sleep for like an hour and a half, meet these guys and fly balloons every morning. Three weeks later, on a Friday, I checked right in with the FAA for my balloon certificate.
Mark Woodard
Then there’s Tony Sandlin from Fishers Indiana. He’s been doing ballooning full time for 17 years. And one thing he’s known for is providing rides sponsored by AMBUCS with his special balloon that has the door that allows wheelchairs to come in. And the door is clear, so they can see right from their chairs.
AUDIO: So they’re in a harness system so even if we have a rough landing, they’re as safe as can be. People just enjoy it; it’s just something different, they don’t know what to expect. And once they get up there, it’s just a whole different experience than they thought it would be. No, I’ve never had anybody really nervous. I’ve had a few people after the fact that wish they hadn’t done it because they just don’t like heights. But most people are pretty good about it.
Tony Sandlin
What makes events like Balloons Over Vermilion so special? Well let’s hear from Walter Rudy, the “Hour Big Bundle of Joy” pilot from Wadsworth, Ohio.
AUDIO: Ballooning is such a….it’s a giving activity….it’s a giving sport. We bring a lot of joy to people wherever we go. And it’s amazing. It’s such an uplifting community activity; and to get the public out and enjoy what it is that we have to offer to show them.
Walter Rudy
Another big story was this year’s Balloons Over Vermilion Ambassador Class; Abby Carlton’s third graders from the now closed Garfield School. As she had told us after her class was chosen, this led to some great science and art Bprojects this past semester, such as their making of their own paper mache hot air balloons.
AUDIO: It took about two months to make, a two month process to get through all the kiddos. But we used packing paper, and used special paper mache glue and put it all on a latex balloon that I blew up. And then they did like three layers of that; and then they had to paint them, and then they had to add their basket…..
Abby Carlton
And over Balloons Over Vermilion weekend, kids from Abby Carlton’s class had the task and the privilege of being on site for the event at Vermilion Regional Airport, even having made some decisions about on-site attractions.
(BELOW) Balloons Over Vermilion took place Friday and Saturday at Vermilion Regional Airport. Although the balloons were unable to fly due to weather conditions, pilots gave demonstrations and were available to talk to BOV visitors Saturday evening.
