Upcoming Club Events

IN THIS ISSUE: From Chairman of the Board 1-2 Board Election Details 2 PCA Holiday Party 3 PCA November Meeting & Board of Directors Minutes 4-6 Happy Holidays from Moffett Field 6 WHAMOBASS 2017 / Early Ballooning Pictorial 7-9 Fires Affect Balloonists 10 Balloon Article Writing Template for Your Use 11 Junior Balloonist 2018 Camp Dates 12 PCA Awards and Committees 13-14 Passages ~ John Terry / PCA Website Update 15 Event Updates 16 Balloonist Resources / Sunrise Calendar 17 Club Information & Membership 18

View from the Chairman of the Board by Patrick Moore

Greetings from the Chair, good year for pilots and crews documenting their ballooning activities. Pilots have done some very Well, WHAMOBASS has come and gone and we are innovative camera mounts and given us some birds- now heading into the fall flying season. eye views of their flights and adventures. WHAMOBASS was a great success as we all gathered to share life's experiences and memories of great friends no longer with us. Deke was the quintessential Balloon Meister and consummate professional at anvil firing. In case you haven't seen the Anvil Firing UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS Farewell in John Terry's honor, follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/bob.locklin/ videos/10212257742712848/ > DID YOU VOTE? - MORE INFO ON PAGE 2 <

We are definitely seeing the affects of climate change, no matter your opinion on the scientific merits of the data. Rain in mid to late October? I have lived in SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 - NOON TO 4 California for 98% of my life and I truly believe the WHISKEY BARREL TAVERN - STOCKTON weather is getting stranger by the year. We moved WHAMOBASS to October to get away from the > MORE INFO ON PAGE 3 < unpredictable weather of the last decade. Did we move it far enough? Oh well, that is a discussion for a rainy day.

It looks like from all the stories, Facebook postings, and plethora of pictures I have seen floating around that many people attended lots of rallies and had bushels of fun. I have seen some great pictures and have enjoyed the Facebook "LIVE" links that were sent sometimes a bit too early in the morning … Dave. It has been a very

View from the Chairman of the Board, continued

The weather turned colder in just a very short period of time this year. There was frost on the pumpkins near and far much earlier. That brings to mind a reminder that PCA Elections are upon us. By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have received your ballots in your snail mailbox, and we earnestly hope you cast and returned your vote. Ballots will be counted at our special, year-end club meeting on December 6th. This is a good time to remind you to renew your club member-ship as well. Thanks to those that did it as part of WHAMOBASS registration. It is through your membership and a few of the events the club puts on over the year that we can do things like WHAMOBASS and the Club Sponsored Safety Seminar. Speaking of the Safety Seminar, the planning is underway and tentatively set for March 17, 2018.

Next year the club may also bring about another local rally in Gustine, CA. Three of our own club pilots flight-tested the landscape at the request of the local airport manager and community. I have been told it's a fun area in which to fly. So stay tuned for more details such as when, number of days, etc.

One of the many things that makes our Club special is the diversity of our membership and the vast distance over which our members live. We have members scattered throughout the West, and would like to see more of you participate in our every-other-month meetings so we can hear about what is going on in your neck of the woods. So please join us for our Club meetings. It is easy to do and since long distance calling is free on most cell plans, it's as easy as dialing into a conference call (and the conference call itself is FREE!). No more Skype with all its connection problems -- just dial into the call and join your friends who look forward to hearing from you. Dave Wakefield sends out the meeting announcements which contain everything you need to know to join us in great conversations.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a safe and enjoyable holiday season with your families and friends. Don't miss the opportunities to tell them how much they mean to you. If there is someone you haven't spoken to in a long while, reach out to let them know you care. Share a holiday balloon adventure flight with family and friends.

Best wishes to all. Be safe and fly safe. Pat

BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS & CLUB OFFICERS PCA ballots for board members were current PCA board members. Time required mailed! If you didn’t received yours in for board members/officers is approximately your snail mailbox, please notify the PCA 10 hours a year, the total time to call into 4 treasurer, Linda Walton, so in the future, quarterly meetings.

ballots can be sent to a correct We are also looking for someone to volunteer address. Ballots will be counted at our special for the position of secretary. club meeting on December 6th.

You may contact Linda at The person filling this position would take notes [email protected] (note the “l” between and publish meeting minutes for the quarterly her first and last name) or via PCA’s email at board meetings and if possible, the semi-monthly [email protected]. club meetings. If you are interested in getting more information on this job, please reply to this Incumbent board members running for re- email or contact one of the PCA board members election are Dave Wakefield and Suzanne Seiler. (see last page). There is also a vacant seat. THANKS for considering As always, any club member interested in running adding your voice to the PCA! for the board (or even as a volunteer officer of the club) should reply or contact one of the

When: Saturday, December 9

Time: Noon to 4pm

Where: Whiskey Barrel Tavern, 151 W. Alder Street, Stockton

Potluck: Bring a dish to share for the potluck. The club is providing a main entrée. Lunch will begin about 1 pm.

Beverages: The club will provide bottled water. No-host bar with bartender is

available. There is a $15 corkage fee for anyone bringing wine / champagne.

Other Party Details: The doors will open at noon, We are reserving the back

room for 4 hours. Except for the bartender, we will be the only ones on site. Gift Exchange: Following lunch, there will be an optional ornament/gift exchange. This is a traditional “white elephant” exchange. Participation is optional

 but FUN and historically, the gifts are very nice (no goofy ones please). Lodging: Some hotels within 1-2 miles: Hilton Stockton: 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. University Plaza Waterfront Hotel: 110 W. Fremont St.

PACIFIC COAST AERONAUTS Minutes to November 1, 2017 Meeting Submitted by Jeanne Anson, Secretary

1. 7:01 Call to order by President Dave Wakefield A. Attendees: Dave Wakefield, Jeff Downs, Jeanne Anson, Tom Sharpee, Suzanne Seiler. 2. Minutes from October meeting (no meeting held due to it being an “even” numbered month). 3. Treasurers Report: $8,505.58. There are some outstanding checks and deposits for WHAMOBASS. Suzanne motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report. Jeff 2nd and all approved. 4. New Business: None 5. Committee Reports: A. Newsletter committee is working on the Newsletter. B. Is the Safety Seminar March 17? Linda still checking. ACTION ITEM: Dave will check with Mike Veliz 6. Past Flying Reports: A. Soaring over Ripon: David flew his Airship. Heat was a real issue. B. Great Reno Balloon Race: very large crowds, great flying every day. C. Clovis Fest: Great flying. Big crowds and fantastic weather. Two tether balloons, Valley Children’s and ReMax; they took up a few wheelchair-bound folks. FAA attended pilot briefing and checked pilots. There was a renegade blimp. D. WHAMOBASS: good flights, went west on Saturday and more typical flight directions on Sunday. 7. Future Rallies: Leon, MX, Cathedral City, Red Rocks, NM. 8. Motion to exit meeting: Tom motioned to adjourn; Jeanne 2nd. All approved – 8:24pm Pacific.

PACIFIC COAST AERONAUTS Minutes to Board of Directors Meeting  October 17, 2017 Submitted by Jeanne Anson, Secretary Attendees: Board Members:  Tom  Dave Pat  Jeff  Suzanne  Linda  Bob Secretary:  Jeanne

Called to order by Pat Moore at 7:10 pm 1. Last Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve, completed via email. 2. Treasurer’s Report: Current balance of $6,811.81. There are WHAMOBASS deposits of approx. $2,000. to be deposited soon. Motion to approve: all approved. 3. Old Business: A. By-Laws Update, still no action. i. Linda asked when will it be modernized. ACTION ITEM: Committee to work on it. Pat, Jeff and Linda. B. Drop Box Storage – For Newsletter committee:

Attendees:

Board of Directors - Meeting Minutes, continued

i. NL Committee will upload archives to cloud on 365. This will be used for archival storage and Drop Box will be used for the current NL. Dave will move it from Dropbox. ACTION ITEM: Dave will generate a process document. Committee will meet and discuss. C. Review of previous meeting’s ACTION ITEMS (see sections below and on page 6). 4. New Business: A. Elections – need nominations. Dave & Suzanne are running again. Tom is not. Jeff Downs is running. B. WHAMOBASS i. Has been a difficult year with new college president, learning curve for all. ii. Insurance issues have been a nightmare, but at last have been handled. Only one issue with Additional insured. iii. Other options for location in Coalinga were discussed. iv. It’s ok to land at old airport. 5. Committee Reports: A. Newsletter – discussed above. B. Jr. Balloonist – Jeanne will have something for the newsletter C. Web Site – See Action Item discussion. D. Awards – Bob Locklin absent, no report. E. WHAMOBASS – see above discussion. F. Christmas Party – Action Item: Linda will start looking into it after WHAMOBASS. G. For the good of the order: ~ TS - Beer, cheese and crackers ~ LW - Going to Rosie’s ~ SS – Jen and Mike Parks are doing ok; the fire is a ways away from them. Also, I could use help with some Chief Judge duties at Whamo ~ DW – Thank you Pat, for all the great work on WHAMOBASS ~ RL - absent ~ JH - absent ~ PM - Hard apple cider ======ACTION ITEMS from October 17, 2017 Board Meeting: 1. Old Business: A. By-Laws - ACTION ITEM: Committee to work on it. Pat, Jeff and Linda. B. Drop Box Storage – To use Office 365 storage: ACTION ITEM: Dave will generate a process document. Committee will meet and discuss.

======ACTION ITEMS from August 2017 Meeting: 1. Old Business - Safety Seminar: A. To date, Linda has received no additional suggestions for content. B. Tentative date is March 17, 2018. ACTION ITEM: Linda to share our tentative date and learn when Katie Griggs is holding her seminar. 2. Committee Reports: A. Newsletter - Suzanne asked for cover article from Pat for the newsletter and Jeff H. to do an article on flying in Taiwan. Thanks to Dana T. and Katlynn for their recent articles.

continued on page 6

Board of Directors - Meeting Minutes, continued

ACTION ITEMS: Pat to do Chair letter and Jeff H. to do Taiwan article. 3. Web Site: A. WHAMOBASS page needs to be updated due to many broken links. Dave W. to update and reach back to the Board to check functionality after he has fixed the page. Dave will harvest balloon photos from Facebook page for the website (he already has respective pilot’s permission). Linda to also go through her archives to find photos. ACTION ITEM: Dave W. to update the webpage -- completed. Would like more photos. ACTION ITEM: Linda to also go through her archives to find more photos for Dave -- in process.

This was the 53rd consecutive year of the world’s longest continuously occurring annual balloon rally. Over all those years there were only a few Story & Photos by Suzanne Seiler exceptions in which weather didn’t cooperate -- although even on those occasions, in order to maintain the ‘continuous’ factor, at least one balloon inflated and flew across the launch field. This year was like most years, in which the weather cooperated and we had clear blue skies with light and variable breezes. This year, I had the honor of being Chief Judge again, 20 years after my first stint. Thank you, Deke Sonnichsen and Kathleen Terry! One of the long-standing responsibilities of the Chief Judge is to devise a “Task” in which pilots and their crews may participate. By choosing to engage in the task, they look for opportunities during their flight and chase to create a presentation to share during the Saturday evening’s aeronauts’ dinner. In the box below is this this year’s task. Further below that is the winning entry created by the “Summer Breeze” balloon crew, led by Larry Seiler’s student pilot, Alta Fernandes and her crew chief/husband, Don. (Ahem, although several people took the Task sheet at Saturday Continued on next page

WHAMOBASS LIII October 21-22, 2017

Chief Judge’s Task rd A BIT OF HISTORY: In this, the LIII year of WHAMOBASS, we celebrate and honor humanity’s first recorded manned free flight. Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and Marquis d'Arlandes piloted a hot air balloon (built by the Montgolfier brothers) from the Château de la Muette to the Butte-aux-Cailles, Paris, on November 21, 1783. No less important, as WHAMO-Aeronauts, we celebrate and honor renowned Deke Sonnichsen who started it all on 11/20/1965 with an announcement during half-time at the Cal-Stanford Game at Stanford University Stadium. The first WHAMOBASS rally took place the next day, 11/21/1965, at the Hannes Schroll (Dorsey) estate in Whiskey Hill (Woodside, CA) with one balloon -- of the fewer than 15 hot air balloons that existed at that time worldwide, all in America. Deke’s goals of honoring the first aeronauts and sharing the art of aerostation continue on in this, the fifty- third anniversary of WHAMOBASS, all without commercial competition. THE “TASK” ~ YOU’RE INVITED: Look for 1 or 2 “artifacts” during your aerostatic adventures to bring back to the field. Create a poem, song, story, skit to share the history and significance of the artifacts/s as they relate to your particular flight, the Coalinga area and anything aerostatic. Extra consideration given for creating unique artifact nomenclature and what?? … Did YOU say bribery!? . . . RETURN YOUR ENTRY by 3pm Saturday to the Chief Judge’s bag located in the vicinity of Dave Lester’s trailer on the field.

A One-Hour Tour Aboard “Summer Breeze,” sung to made from an old paint roller, to the tune of TV’s “Gilligan’s Island” theme song: help them get back home [yell into paint roller tube, “We’re over Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale of an aerostatic trip, here!”]. That started from West Hills College, in Coaling Station So that was the tale of our A… aboard Summer Breeze. aeronuts; they flew five minutes away [arms sweep in an arc & point The mate was Alta Fernandes, the skipper Larry Seiler, one toward western oil fields], passenger took flight that day for a one-hour tour, a one- hour tour. But they’ll all be right back here next year in Coaling Station A, in The breezes started picking up, the big balloon was pushed, Coaling Station A! encompassed by the oil wells and power lines too.

If not for the courage of the fearless crew, Summer Breeze would be lost, Summer Breeze would be lost. They put their minds together and made a megaphone,

WHAMOBASS, continued

morning’s pilot briefing, it seems the creative juices weren’t flowing so Summer Breeze’s entry was the only one). Deke administered the time-honored duties of launching the anvil, and a perfect launch it was indeed! The weather was perfect and about 15 balloons launched. Conditions were light and variable; balloons were all over the sky! We had the pleasure of getting Summer Breeze into the air with the help of Mike & Jennifer Parks and Rich & Dianne Inman. After flying and a most enjoyable brunch at Harris Ranch, most of us took the opportunity for napping. Then back to the field by mid-afternoon to get ready for the late afternoon potluck meal. I got so wrapped up enjoying that potluck and socializing that I completely forgot to take photos of all the Whamo- People there! After our meal, the auction of a variety of ballooning treasures went rather long, thanks to the large amount of items ~ MANY THANKS to everyone who donated and especially to everyone who purchased treasures!! The money raised  sorry, I don’t recall how much but it was not a little bit  (some reporter I am!) goes directly to help cover costs associated with the WHAMOBASS rally. By the conclusion of auctioneering, the wind had become quite brisk with people putting on more outer wear, making moves to leave and get into warmer places, so Summer Breeze’s crew presentation was postponed until Sunday morning’s pilot briefing  although they were presented before the conclusion of the evening with the first place Seismograph trophy, since they earned it simply by stepping up to create a presentation, for which I say a big “Thank You!!” Sunday was another beautiful day. Summer Breeze’s presentation was enjoyed and cheered by all at the conclusion of pilot’s briefing. The number of balloonists was fewer as is typical but no less enthusiastic. It was another morning of clear blue skies and light and variable and long flights. Dana Thornton seemed to be everywhere and boomeranged at least a couple of times back to the launch field. Summer Breeze had the always fun opportunity of treating the night clerk at our hotel (Best Western) and his younger sister to their first flight. Back to the hotel, another delicious brunch and we all headed home, carrying with us many happy memories of another wonderful WHAMOBASS.

Photo/s by Larry & Suzanne Seiler

Early Ballooning Pictorial

Engraving, hand coloured. : Montgolfier's B [alloon], Fauxbourg St. Antoine; : Blanchard's B.; : Charles' & Robert's B, Champ de Mars; : Versailles B.; : Montgolfier's B. Fauxbourg of St. Germain.

Images released under a Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP COLLECTION © THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCIENCE MUSEUM https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co153720.

“The medal, Audacia Felix, commemorating the invention of the air balloon in 1783, struck by order of King Louis XVI in 1784. Bronze; 51mm diameter. Obverse legend, Audacia Felix; representations of the Montgolfier fire balloon and also an air balloon; legend of other flights of: LF D'Arlandes et F Pilatre, 21 Nov 1783; JAC Charles et MN Robert, 1 Dec 1783. Reverse: border, circle of stars; exergue legend, Patefacto per aera itinere a Josepho et Stephano Montgolfier V. Junii MDCCLXXXIII, rei memoriam posteritati tradi jussit Ludovicus XVI, anno MDCCLXXXIV. [TRANSLATION: Struck in commemoration of the Journey of Joseph and Stephen Montgolfier on the 5th June, 1783, as a remembrance to posterity by order of Louis XVI. 1784]. Audacia Felix = Fortunate is he who attempts audacious things.”

BALLOONISTS EXPERIENCE LOSSES BY FIRE Compiled by Co-Editor, Suzanne Seiler

SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTY FIRES: AND ON THE EAST COAST: Saturday night, October 8, 2017 saw the beginnings On 10/23/17, David Wakefield shared the following information from Dawn Chase via the REFLECTOR: of raging fires in Sonoma and Napa Counties, Hello all, California that lasted for over a week. The fires, fueled by winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour, I’m sad to report that a Schneider’s Family Restaurant in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey was destroyed by a fire devastated whole neighborhoods. October 14th early on Saturday morning [October 21st]. Schneider’s news reports obtained online (Santa Rosa Press is owned and run by balloonists Johann and Bev Democrat, Los Angeles Times, CNN, CBS News), Schneider and Johann’s mom. It was the unofficial reported that 11 people had perished. A CalFire balloon museum of the northeast, featuring balloon incident report dated 10/29/17 stated that the fires memorabilia from festivals, hundreds of photos of consumed over 110,000 acres, destroyed 6,957 balloons, banners, trophies, and even a balloon basket. structures while 486 were damaged. Johann and Bev shared their passion for ballooning with each person who came to the restaurant. There was As of this writing, the PCA knows of two Santa not much wall space NOT covered with something Rosa area balloon pilots who suffered losses (there balloon related. For decades they opened their doors and may have been others about whom we have not fed members of the Great Eastern Balloon Association received information). for the November meeting, closing down to outside customers and not accepting any money to offset their Jim Abell communicated with me via Facebook/ cost of lost business or the food they provided. They Messenger: only asked that we were generous with tips for their staff. Their generosity to the balloon community in the I was very lucky, many of my friends lost their homes, northeast is well known. One of Johann’s first concerns including Jimmy Long. As luck would have it his on Sunday was to call and ask how HE could help the balloon trailer was not damaged and it was just a few club find somewhere for our meeting [to be held] in two feet away from mine. weeks. It didn’t matter to him what his personal My trailer and the complete bottom end was destroyed, problems were - he was worried about where we could along with years of balloon event mementos. hold our meeting. Fortunately my envelope was at the repair station as I Johann and Bev are wonderful people. If you feel so torched a panel during the Sunday DP inflation. moved, please visit their Facebook page to leave some I'm going to replace the bottom end so that KIPHAVEN kind words for them: http://wwwfacebook.com/ can fly again. I still have a lot of ballooning left in me. schneidersrestaurant If they decide to rebuild and need any balloon As Jim stated above, Jimmy Long lost his memorabilia to redecorate, I will let you all know. home. Jimmy shared, “It is a tough time for us here ~ Dawn Chase but we will get through it.”

Feel Like You Can’t Write an Article? A TEMPLATE FOR SHARING YOUR BALLOONING EXPERIENCES (and Brighten the Day for Other Ballooning Enthusiasts)

So, you’ve been to some balloon rallies? Will you share your experience with the club? Please? All the readers of this newsletter would love to hear about ballooning rallies going on in different locales. And perhaps some who couldn’t attend will, in a way, relish your experience vicariously – all because you shared! It’s easy to share your ballooning experiences with others with the bullet prompts below to help you write a paragraph or two ‒ or more! These are just suggestions; use as many or few as you like, and go ahead, add some new prompts (and please let us know what you’ve added). Here’s what we’d like to know:

 Name, dates and location of the event.  How many balloons attended the rally?  Did you bring crew with you or were you able to be assigned some local crew?  Did the weather cooperate for all the flights?  What were your flight tracks like?  Which flight did you enjoy the most? Did you see some interesting sights or land formations that were especially striking from the air?  Special passengers or landowners?  Did you Glow?  Were there any special shape balloons?  Did you tailgate after flying or did you all head to breakfast?  Were there other adventures after flying? Hiking, rafting, sightseeing, historic sights?  How were your accommodations?  Any other special aspects to your trip?  Please share some photos as well. Send your article to the club’s email at [email protected]. The newsletter editors will happily answer any questions you might have about submitting your article and “tidy up” any spelling or glaring grammatical issues. Most importantly? Sharing your experiences will brighten up the day for our readers. Who knows? You might give someone new the spark for ballooning. Thank You!

2018 Junior Balloonist Camps Announced!

Two camps are scheduled for 2018: • Waupaca, Wisconsin - June 25 - 30 • Albuquerque, New Mexico - July 7 - 12 Registration will open around March 1st. For more information and to keep updated, please visit: https://bfa.net/index.php/bfa-summer-camps

PCA Committee Descriptions 2016 -17

You are invited to consider whether one or more of the committees below connect with your areas of interest. There is always room for more people and ideas!

• Awards – Bob Locklin Promote and encourage club members to nominate fellow balloon enthusiasts to receive deserving awards. Several awards are available although not all are required every year.

• Junior Balloonists - Jeff Haliczer, Jeanne Anson Promote access for youth to easily become involved with the sport of ballooning. The PCA sponsors one Junior Balloonist to attend the BFA Youth Camp each year.

• Website/Facebook - David Wakefield, Jeanne Anson, Suzanne Seiler Keep the PCA website and Facebook page up to date with appropriate and interesting graphics and information that will invite those interested in ballooning.

• Newsletter Committee - Jeanne Anson, Suzanne Seiler, Linda Walton Publish the PCA newsletter on a monthly basis. Seek monthly articles such as cover article from board members/officers, event participant reports & photos, event dates & contact info, and more.

• Education - David Wakefield and Jeanne Anson Promote and provide education to members and the public as requested.

• Safety Seminar - Linda Walton, Dave Wakefield, Pat Moore Develop and provide speakers and venue for an annual safety seminar for the pilots and crew of the ballooning community.

• WHAMOBASS - Pat Moore, More Volunteers Needed! Maintain contact with necessary municipality entities in Coalinga, CA and insurance entities to keep this, the longest continuously annual balloon event in the world, on track in autumn each year.

• Montgolfier Dinner - Open for Volunteers! Arrange for a dinner or luncheon to honor the Anniversary of Man’s First Flight (November 21, 1783) for balloonists who would like to celebrate, mix and mingle in a very social setting.

PCA Awards and Criteria Awards are to be advertised throughout the year and awarded at the Safety Seminar in the Spring of each year. Awards are presented annually for categories receiving nominations.

Pilot Award a) Purpose of this award: To acknowledge outstanding accomplishments or extraordinary con- tribution to the sport of ballooning by a pilot. b) Award Type: Trophy award. c) Criteria: Outstanding personal or national best, such as a long flight or high altitude, etc. Help with organization or bringing in new crew or enthusiasts to the sport. Sharing the love of the sport with the community.

Crew of the Year Award a) Purpose: To acknowledge a crew member who is not a current member and has been an outstanding crew for area pilots and to expose them to a broader world of ballooning. b) Award: PCA Membership and BFA membership. c) Criteria: Person is selected by each pilot submitting a name of a crew person that has shown to be outstanding crew for them at rallies and flying in their home area. d) Name is drawn from a hat at the Safety Seminar.

PCA Membership Award a) Purpose: Awarded to someone (crew or pilot or balloon enthusiast) to introduce them to the PCA. b) Award: 1-year PCA membership. c) Criteria: Each PCA member can submit the name of someone who deserves this award. d) Name is drawn from a Hat.

Life Time Award a) Purpose: Acknowledge a longtime contributor to the sport of Ballooning and the PCA. b) Award: Lifetime membership to the PCA and a trophy award. c) Criteria: Given to a member who has supported the sport of ballooning by spreading the word about ballooning by promoting an event, organizing an event and contributing to the sport of ballooning.

Above and Beyond Award a) Purpose: Acknowledge someone who has given outstanding effort to promote ballooning or the PCA in the last year. b) Award: Trophy Award. c) Criteria: To be given to a member of the PCA who has contributed to the growth of the PCA and/or has contributed to the sport of ballooning.

Awards Criteria 2017

JOHN LEE TERRY FEBRUARY 10, 1928  AUGUST 31, 2017

OBITUARY BELOW WAS PUBLISHED IN THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: John Lee Terry, 89, died peacefully Thursday, August 31, 2017 at his home in Saratoga, California. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Ann Terry; his daughters Kathleen Terry and Rose (Terry) Graham; sons Jeffrey L. Terry and J. David Terry; grandchildren Ryan Parks and Claire Terry. John was born in Alhambra, California. He served in the Army from 1946-47 in the 82nd Airborne as a Rifleman and Radio Repairman. He graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in 1953 with a BS in Electrical and Radio Engineering. He worked for Southwest Airlines for several years and then for IBM from which he retired after 35 years. Some of John’s interests and activities included: Theater Set Engineering Design, member of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission, Commercial Hot Air Balloon Pilot, Operation of an FAA Certified Hot Air Balloon Inspection and Repair Station. Those who knew John Terry will appreciate that there are many other accomplishments and adventures of this Renaissance citizen engineer and great human being. At John’s request, there will be no services at this time. Any contributions may be offered to the Hakone

Gardens, Saratoga, California, (http://www.hakone.com/main.html).

EDITOR’S NOTE: REFLECTIONS FROM BALLOONISTS was previously published in October’s edition of Downwind Chase. If you would like to share your memories about John, you are invited to send them to [email protected]. We will be glad to include them in a future edition of Downwind Chase.

David Wakefield, PCA’s President, has been hard at work updating the “Pictures” page on the PCA website with photos of member balloons. In addition to what is there now, he will soon post pictures for Martell, Boucher, Stahlecker/Putnam, Scorch, Mott, Long and Thornton. If you don’t see your balloon on the site and you’re not listed above, you may send David a favorite picture of your balloon and he will post it. Please send pictures to David directly at [email protected]. You can see the current revision of the web page at: http://www. pcaballoons.org/pictures.htm.

Upcoming Events Event information in this newsletter is compiled from several resources, and is not to be considered as an endorsement by the PCA, its respective officers or members. There may be additional events not included here and dates may be subject to change. Check available links and respective websites for the most current information.

Update - Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival July 26-29, 2018 Learn about more upcoming events Elko, NV by visiting the www.rubymountainballoonfestival.com Balloon Federation of America website: (see article below) http://www.bfa.net (click on Events)

From the ELKO DAILY TONI R. MILANO [email protected]

ELKO, NV – Hot air balloon enthusiasts will have to mark their calendars for the last weekend in July to take part in the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival, a decision made by organizers because of inclement weather the past few autumns. Now set for July 26-29, 2018, the event has endured windy and rainy conditions that have prevented balloon flights on at least one day of the festival, said Jim and Donna Engdahl, owners and pilots of the Acme Balloon Team and organizers of the balloon festival. “We moved it up to see if the weather is warmer and nicer,” Donna Engdahl said, explaining that the past few years the weather allowed balloons to go up on Sunday only. One year, the conditions prevented balloons from taking flight at all, she said. This year, the balloon glow and Saturday’s flight was hampered by rainy and foggy weather conditions. “We think we’ll get more activities and vendors,” said Jim Engdahl. The Engdahls made the announcement on Facebook and it was met with a “response that was 100 percent positive to changing the date,” Donna Engdahl said. “We’re hoping it will be better for everyone,” Jim Engdahl said. For information about the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival, find them on Facebook or visit www.rubymountainballoonfestival.com. (Shared by David Wakefield)

Pilot and Crew Resources If you’re interested in acquiring these resources, or have some favorite ones to share, please contact Linda Walton at [email protected] or [email protected].

“Crewing Essentials” This is an excellent, well- organized book with great

details about all aspects of crewing, authored by Gordon The PCA has the “Crew Safety Quick Reference” guides, also by Schwontkowski and Alyson Schwontkowski & Murray, Murray. Copyright 2008, available for $3.50 each Paperback. Cost is $18 each including postage.

or 2 for $35. (Contact us for quantity discounts)

2017 PCA Board Members and Officers 2017 Committee Chairs:

Awards: “Magic” Bob Locklin Board Member Position End Term Year Education: Jeanne Anson Pat Moore: Chairman of Board 18 Montgolfier Dinner: Volunteer Needed David Wakefield: President/Board Member 17 Junior Balloonists: Jeanne Anson/David Wakefield Tom Sharpee: Vice President/Board Member 17 Newsletter/Facebook: Linda, Suzanne & Jeanne Linda Walton: Treasurer/Board Member 18 Safety Seminar: Linda Walton & David Wakefield Jeanne Anson: Secretary (volunteer) Website: Jeanne Anson, Dave Wakefield, Suzanne S. WHAMOBASS: Pat Moore Jeff Haliczer: Board Member 18 Winter Party: Linda Walton & friends Bob Locklin: Board Member 18 Suzanne Seiler: Board Member 17

Disclaimer Information contained within this issue of Pilot Briefing: Tools to Plan Your Flight the Downwind Chase is the most up-to-date and correct information available at the Tracy AWOS 209-831-4335 time this newsletter was issued. The PCA, San Martin AWOS 408-918-7724 its Officers and Directors are not responsible for the accuracy of the material Flight Service 800-992-7433 enclosed herein. Opinions expressed in the If you have your favorite flight planning resource, send Downwind Chase are solely those of the us a note at [email protected] and we’ll publish it individual authors and should not be here. perceived to be those of the PCA, the Editor, Publisher, or its leadership.

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