Forest Park Balloon Race Program 2018

34 The Great Forest Park Balloon Race • Presented by PNC Bank Private Entry – Daniel Salters (High Ridge, MO) Daniel has been around ballooning all his life. His father, Larry Salters, a pilot since 1978, has shown the family how ballooning can be a fun activity shared with others. Together, they enjoy local flights with family and friends as their primary flying time. Making ballooning a low-key recreational activity has kept it fun for everyone involved. Private Entry – Ralph Senn (Champaign, IL) Ralph (Ralph Tomato) is the better half of the two world famous Flying Tomato Brothers (who’s Joe?) Commercial pilots and instructors of balloons and fixed wing aircraft since 1974, the tomato brothers (age 28) fly the tomato balloon, the first special- shaped balloon ever licensed in America, over their Garcia’s PIzza in a Pan restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, & Texas. With over 4000 flight hours, the tomato brothers are skilled at safely executing high wind take-offs and landings, since much of their experience is ballooning over Big Ten football games on windy afternoons. Ralph & Joe are honored to be the longest continuous attendees of The Great Forest Park Balloon Race (42 yrs.), and to often be selected as the Hare Balloon. Private Entry – Gary Sines (Columbia, MO) Gary Sines has been flying balloons for 43 years. He and his wife Janice still fly corporate contracts, train pilots,fly rides and compete in balloon competitions. They have 8 balloons including 2 Special Shapes. (Coco the Clown and Buzzy Bee). Private Entry – Janice Sines (Jefferson City, MO) Janice has been ballooning since 1972 when she took her first balloon ride with Tracy Barnes, founder of The Balloon Works. That year she earned her commercial balloon rating and traveled with her husband, Gary, throughout 15 states flying balloon promotions, selling rides and giving instruction. In 1974 Janice received the BFA Distinguished Aeronaut Award. Ballooning highlights include flying over the Pyramid of the Moon north of Mexico City, placing second in the 9th Ladies World Cup held in Chez Charon, France, and flying in the first balloon race in Inner Mongolia, China. Other memorable flights include, adventure flying over the rain forests of Costa Rica, and racing in Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. Her most adventurous racing was with Bill Woodhead in the New Mexico Challenge in Albuquerque where one year they placed second, one year first, and one year had to be helicoptered off a mountain. Private Entry – Wayne Standefer (Italy, TX) Largest balloon ride operator in Texas, over 23 years as a commercial pilot, Fixed wing, multi- engine, instrument, helicopter and Lta, more than 50 years of flying experience total with 3600 total time. Private Entry – Denis Sutter (Hallsville, MO) Denis became a pilot in 1996 and has flown in several states and Mexico. Private Entry – Brian Trapp (Oregonia, OH) Brian’s professional ballooning career started in 1980 using his borrowed grandmother’s balloon in St. Louis, MO. Over the years, Brian has accumulated more than 4,500 flight hours, mostly in lighter-than-air aircraft, including hot-air airships. Currently, Brian is co-owner of Gentle Breeze Hot Air Balloon Company, Ltd. (www.HotAirBalloonRides.com ) and owner of the maintenance facility, R4BR027N. Having flown throughout the United States, he has also flown in multiple counters, including running a balloon ride operation and repair facility on a small island in the South Pacific, Fiji. Balloon maintenance has been an integral part of his career and has returned to service hundreds of aircraft over the last 30 years. Trapp’s formal college education earned him a Bachelor degree (1989) in the Management Information Systems through the Business Administration College of the University of Cincinnati. Private Entry — Travis Vencel (Bloomington, IN) Travis has been flying balloons for 30 years, flying corporate balloons, passenger flights and providing instruction. Travis lives in Bloomington, Indiana. When not flying balloons Travis is in Real Estate Development with a national company to provide multi-family housing. Travis travels the United States during the ballooning season and always loves coming the the Great Forest Park Balloon Event. Private Entry – Donna Vish (Danville, IL) Donna says ballooning gives her an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and make friends all over the world. Every flight is just a little different and a new experience each time, but one thing that is a constant and for which we need no language translation and that is the large smile on everyone’s face as they get to crew and/or ride. Ballooning has always been a family event in the Carlton Clan. Donna started crewing at the Danville Balloon Classic, where her family sponsored a husband and wife balloon team. Donna tallied over 15 years of crewing experience before she realized her dream of becoming a private balloon pilot in 2001 and a commercial pilot in 2006. Donna and her husband Don, crew chief travel all over North America flying. She has flown Leon, Mexico for the largest Mexican balloon event, Festival Internacional del Globos, L’international de montgolfieres de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec Balloon Festival held near Montreal and various events throughout the USA. While most of the ballooning events they attend are in the Midwest Donna has gone to Albuquerque to crew or fly for the last 18 years. Private Entry – Mike Wade (Lexington, KY) Private Entry – Mike Wadley (Weldon Springs, MO) Mike is a second generation hot air balloon pilot. Both of his parents are lighter-than- air pilots and he has held his commercial certificate for fifteen years. Together, his family has over 1,200 hours of ballooning experience. Wadley is a past president of the Gateway Aerostatic Association in St. Louis and recipient of the Balloon Federation of America Directors Award. His piloting experience includes a flight to 12,000 feet and participation in events throughout the country, including the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.