“Captain’s Blog”

First engagement flight of 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 11:02:00 -0500

This morning’s flight was a very special one. We had onboard our 12th engagement since starting The Lake Geneva Balloon Company in 2002.

Flying with us today was Todd and Tammy. Todd told Tammy they were going to a fishing tournament and had to get up early. Tammy being the good sport went along to see the tournament. She was surprised to find out that she was going for a balloon ride, but that wasn’t the only surprise Todd had in mind.

About half an hour into the flight, Todd popped the question about 300 feet over the Riviera Docks in Lake Geneva and was greeted with an enthusiastic “YES”.

As a pilot, I’ve been witness to a dozen of these occasions and I have to say that it is an honor to be a part of that special moment. Very few engagements are open to an outsider and I feel honored that we’ve been chosen to be a part of so many.

Congratulations Tammy & Todd!

jct

Sunrise over Powers Lake

Mon, 28 May 2007 13:54:51 -0500

Morning flights are my favorite flight time. Today’s winds were light and variable on the surface and out of the NE at 8-9 mph at 500 feet and above. We launched from my children’s school, The Wheatland Center School and landed near Powers Lake in a little under an hour.

This morning’s guests included (pictured above L to R: Ronelle, Paul, myself, Abe & Kris). We enjoy a Champagne toast at The Lake Geneva Pie Company.

jct

Celebrating two couple’s anniversaries

Fri, 25 May 2007 19:57:17 -0500

Our company was founded after I purchased a balloon flight for my wife and I in celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary. Next month, we’ll celebrate 20 years of matrimony and 10 years as balloonists.

We love celebrating wedding anniversaries with couples for obvious reasons. This evening, we celebrated the anniversaries of two couples at the same time.

It was a fitting start to our 2007 commercial flight season to share the skies and the joy of celebrating a milestone with both couples.  
Here’s to many more years for all of us.

jct

2nd Flight of 2007

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:59:01 -0500

One of the truly satisfying aspects of being a commercial hot air balloon pilot involves the training of student pilots. It is also one of the most serious aspects. When a member of my crew is into flying so much that they consider becoming a pilot, I feel an obligation to try to “give back” to the sport by helping someone else achieve that goal.

Training a student pilot is a difficult and time consuming task for both the student and the instructor. There is a overwhelming amount of dedication on both parts to achieve the goal. In addition, the part of instructor has an added obligation to the student and FAA to make sure said student is fully trained and competent.

This morning I took one of my crew chiefs, John, on a flight for his introductory training experience. Essentially, it was an opportunity to introduce John to some of the aspects of a typical training flight. We were able to discuss some of the issues revolving around training and allow John to get some burner time and feel it out.

We launched with John Bullock’s balloon “Bubbles” from the Wag Aero airstrip in Lyons, WI and flew for around 1.5 hours. We landed about 100 yards from my house. I’ve been trying for 10 years to land at my house in the road near my drive way and today we came within 100 yards of our goal.

John did a great job flying and I’m hoping that he does decided to become a student pilot and start his training. While training a student may be a long and difficult process, it also the best way to grow a sport that has meant so much to me.

Bouyantly,

John C. Trione

For more pictures of today’s flight go to the 2007 LGB Photo page by clicking below
<Click here>

1st Flight of 2007

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:10:06 -0600

Winter is one of my favorite times of the year to fly. Landing spots are more plentiful, there are no mosquitos and you can fly for hours because you use less fuel in the winter.

This morning I flew with Private Pilot John Bullock from Genoa City. John needed to complete his Biennial Flight Review. Every two years pilots are required by FAA regulation to fly with a Certified Flight Instructor for one hour to maintain their flight certificate.

John flies an Aerostar S51-A 62,000 cu. ft. balloon called Bubbles. It’s an awesome little balloon built for two people. It has a great orange goldfish on the side of the baby blue and with envelope. It is a favorite of kids around the area and today was my first time flying with John. John has been flying for 3 years and is a very good pilot.

We launched from the Burlington Municipal Airport at 7:20A and flew to the Southeast. The winds were very light out of the west on the surface and out of the north at about 18 mph at 500’ to 1000’. The surface temperature at launch was 0 degrees at launch, but 23 degrees F at 1000’.

Our goal was to fly southeast about 8 miles and fly over my subdivision and land at the school about 1.25 miles from my house. John did a great job of steering the balloon and landed at about 1.2 hours from launch time at the Wheatland Center School.

John did a great job this morning and passed his flight review with flying colors (no pun intended).

What a wonderful way to start the day.

jct

<click here for more photos of this flight>