Forest Park Balloon Race Program 2018

30 The Great Forest Park Balloon Race • Presented by PNC Bank Private Entry – Mike Bien (Chesterfield, MO) Mike began flying airplanes during college and received his pilot’s license in 1972. He was eventually balloon certified in 1984 and now operates Balloonacy, a local balloon ride business. A native St. Louisan, Bien identifies his roots as attending Little Flower, then Bishop DuBourg high school, with Graduate degrees from Lindenwood and Webster Universities. Private Entry – Dean Carlton (Danville, IL) Dean is a commercial pilot from Danville, Illinois. Carlton and the Ca-Zoo crew starting flying balloons in 1997. His local crew consists of a large extended family and a close association of friends (the Danville Balloon Group) that crew together for 6 local balloonists. Carlton’s wife Angela is the crew chief and children Ryan and Kelli crew for this colorful balloon. Carlton and some friends have developed an informative crew training website located at Cazooee.com, which he uses to provide his out-of-town crew some advanced training before rallies. Competitively, Ca-Zoo has won first place at prior Quincy, Lincoln and Peoria festivals in Illinois, and in Muncie Indiana. Carlton is also the founder of the annual Les Nessman Memorial Turkey Drop event held each Thanksgiving in Danville (an homage to the newsman in the TV show, WKRP in Cincinnati). In 2002 Dean had the opportunity to take Captain James Lovell, Jr., commander of Apollo 13, for his first balloon flight. When not in the air, Carlton is a commercial real estate developer for Heritage Development Services Company. Private Entry – Ryan Carlton (Danville, IL) Ryan Carlton is a commercial pilot and flight instructor from Danville, IL. Ryan is a frequent speaker at pilot safety seminars around the country, specializing in the topics of weather and crew training. Private Entry – Tim Cloyd (Runnels, IA) Ballooning has blessed Tim with the ability to bring much joy to a countless number of people. Cloyd has flown 7 balloon flights of more than 100 miles including a 413-mile flight with a top altitude of 17,900 feet and top speed of 83.5 mph. The annual flight is called “Extreme Flight to Find a Cure” which raises money for cancer research. Cloyd flies with the names of people who have dealt with cancer through “Lifting UP a Loved One.” For a minimum $10 donation to his non-profit charity and a designated cancer organization Cloyd will fly the name of a Loved One. Private Entry – Preston Gebhart (Indianola, IA) I am from Indianola, IA and have been a pilot for 10 years. I am a Financial Crimes Investigator for Wells Fargo. This is my 2nd year attending Forest Park as a pilot and am honored to be able to fly at such a wonderful event. I have an 18 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. Private Entry – Greg Hanson (House Springs, MO) Greg began crewing for hot air balloons in 1976. He began taking pilot lessons in 1977. Hanson received his commercial certificate in 1979 and began flying full-time. Hanson has accumulated 2,200-plus hours and has flown balloons such as the Energizer Bunny Hot “Hare” Balloon and the 7-Up Can in 35-states. Hanson lives with his wife Karen in House Springs. In his spare time, he can be found in a fishing boat on a quiet lake, hoping to catch “the one that didn’t get away!” Private Entry – John Hitron (Louisville, KY) John has been a balloon pilot since 1979 and first flew in the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in 1982. Private Entry – David Holmes (Rocheport, MO) Retired minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); married 41 years to Lysa; 3 married children; 4 grandchildren; rides a Harley Electra Glide Classic; ballooning 19 years; participates in balloon events in Canada, Mexico, Missouri, Oklahoma and Indiana (so far). Private Entry – Ben Humphreys (Columbia, MO) Ben was born and raised in Columbia Missouri where the U.S. national championship hot air balloon races were held in the late 1990’s. Ben had always found interest in balloons because many pilots have been in the area since the nationals. Ben and his family would chase and help pack away balloons when they would see balloons flying. Eventually Ben went on a ride which led to him helping with local pilots and eventually started to train to be a pilot himself. Ben has been flying balloons since he was 13 and been a pilot for 5 years with over 200 hours in balloons and countless of hours crewing for other balloons. He has flown in events in Iowa, New Mexico, Florida and Missouri. Ben also enjoys building balloons as he flies two balloons that he sewed entirely by himself. Private Entry – Keith Lutz (Corrales, NM) Commercial balloon pilot, flight instructor, and competitor. 2016 US Nationals Rookie of the Year. Past Flying Events Director for the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, the world’s largest single location ballooning organization hosting monthly events of between 30 and 100+ balloons, President of Top Gun the NM Competition Balloon Club, and Event Organizer for the Rio Grande Classic. Has flown internationally in Great Britain, France and Mexico and represented the United States at the reenactment of the first balloon flight in the birthplace of ballooning, Annonay France. Private Entry – Joe Nusrala (Defiance, MO) Joe has a love for flying. He flies both hot air balloons and helicopters currently. He is just now getting into powered paragliders. Joe has been flying balloons since 1987. He has flown over 600 flights. Joe took second place at the Great forest Park Balloon race in 2011 and won 1st place in 2013. He lives in Defiance Missouri and owns an internet business that sells luggage, backpacks, briefcases and shoes. He just recently opened the Quarry Wine Garden in New Melle with some partners. Private Entry – David Rapp (St. Louis, MO) David is a licensed balloon, airship, glider and airplane pilot. He is an FAA designated examiner, Director of Balloon Federation of America, balloon ground school instructor at St. Louis Community College and author of the BFA’s Flight Instructor Manual. He is most often seen training student pilots in St. Louis. He has come in 2nd and 3rd in the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.