Fly into another world with a balloon ride
Bv Ros McPaul
Special to the Kansan
The sky is cloudless, and a soft breeze carries the hot air balloon across the sky. Only the squeaks of the rattan wicker basket are heard as the balloon soars soundlessly through the sky.
"Ballooning is very exciting, but it is also very relaxing as there is no feeling of movement," said Sandra McDavid, who first flew in a hot air balloon while a student at the University of Kansas. "It's like floating."
As well as being a hobby, a balloon ride can also be an unusual gift for birthdays, anniversaries, romantic valentines or even weddings.
Costs for balloon trips depend on the number of people who are ballooning and where the balloon is flying. A balloon trip in the Kansas City area through the club costs about $150, but only members can fly.
Petrehn, who has been ballooning since 1972, also is president of The Balloon Club of Kansas City, Kan., which has 75 members. Although there is no fee to become a member, an application form must be completed.
McDavid, who graduated from KU in 1990, became a balloon enthusiast after her boyfriend, Andrew Petrehn, took her to fly in a balloon. Today, the couple is married and owns Aeronautical Adventures Inc. in Kansas City, Kan.
Members can learn how to crew the balloon as well as how to fly it. If a member is part of the crew, then the ride is free. A quarterly newsletter ensures that members are informed of any events, such as the Kansas City Balloon Championships, which is held
in Shawnee Mission.
McDavid travels all over the country to go ballooning with The Balloon Club of Kansas City. As long as the weather conditions are favorable, the couple makes about 300 flights a year through Aeronsautical Adventures.
"If the wind is more than 10 miles an hour then it is too difficult to land," McDavid said. "There is also a danger that the balloon will be tossed off course. In winter it is often too cold to balloon for long."
The average height for floating in a balloon is between treetop level and 1,000 feet.
"At treetop level I can hear dogs barking and people talking," McDavid said. "This makes the trip more interesting."
The highest manned flight was in 1956 when a balloon reached 123,800 feet.
Most balloons can carry from two to four people and the pilot, who is called an aeronaut.
But Steve Streiker's two balloons each can carry up to seven people. Streiker owns Abracadabra Hot Air Balloon Adventures in Kansas City, Kan.
Rides must be booked two weeks in advance with a $50 nonrefundable deposit. If the weather prevents ballooning, then the ride can be rescheduled.
A trip for two people costs $239 for a one-hour trip. The pilot guides where the balloon floats, but altitude and wind conditions play a large part in determining the route.
"It tend to cover Grand View, Olathe, Long View Lake and Johnson County, which are more scenic," Strelker said.
Up,up and away!
Sandra McDavid/Andrew Petrehn
Aeronautical Adventures Incorporated
P.O. Box 7232
Overland Park, Kan., 66207
Telephone: (913) 649-0004
Steve Strelker
Abracadabra Hot Air Balloon Adventures
4938 Holly Street
Kansas City, Kan., 64112
Telephone:(913)384-3737
KANSAM
He said that he was not familiar with any health problems that restricted people from riding in balloons.
"Obviously if someone is concerned about a health problem, then they should get permission to take a balloon trip from their physician," Streiker said.
"Ihavehadsomepeoplein their90staking a balloon trip,"Streiker said.
The only age restriction is that no children under the age of 9 may ride in the balloons.
Although young children are not allowed to take balloon trips, they are permitted to crew. Gavin Bruce, Topeka junior, crewed for balloon enthusiasts at a young age.
"I was only 7 or 8 years old, but I liked to crew," he said. "Although I didn't get to fly, I hung around and helped to put the balloon into the envelope at the end of the day."
The envelope is a large protective bag, which is used to cover and store a balloon when it is not inflated. The balloons are
inflated with propane gas, which is thinner and lighter than atmospheric air. This allows the balloons to rise and soar into the sky. As the gas is contained in small cylinders there is only enough fuel to last for approximately one hour.
Fine straw and manure were used as fuel to inflate balloons in the 18th century balloons.
Annual balloon rallies exist all over the country. One of the largest rallies, The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, simultaneously launches 700 to 800 balloons each October.
The Great Plains Balloon Club in Topeka administrates the "Huff an' Puff" balloon rally every September, and The Balloon Club of Kansas City, Kan., plays host to the Kansas City balloon championships on Father's Day weekend in June.
"Over 100 balloons are launched simultaneously at the championships," McDavid said. "It's quite a sight to see."
The official name for a hot air balloon is an aerostat. The earliest recorded balloon flight was Aug. 8, 1709 in Portugal - two hundred years before the Wright brothers' first airplane flight. Rags and silk were used for 18th century balloons, while fine straw and manure were used as fuel to inflate them. Straw and manure were thought to have magical properties.
Today, there are two types of balloons: gas and hot air. Gas balloons usually are more expensive and are used for competitions, since they can fly for several days without refueling. The hot air balloons are used for both commercial and fun rides.
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February 11,1994 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN •THE GUIDE TO GOING OUT