The Ventline
rg
Winter 2015
www.wiballoongroup.o
In this Issue:
Pre­World Championship
Time Capsule
Remembering Jean Asp
Memorial ­ Bill O'Donnell
Albuquerque 2015
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Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 8
Your WBG……
I would like to express my thanks for the wishes of sympathy and offers of support that I have received during the
past couple months in the wake of the passing of my wife Jean. The ballooning community has become my
extended family over the past thirty­six years and I appreciate all of you in ways I find hard to put into words.
Since work is my therapy……..on to business!
Kathy and David Ross have agreed to take over the reins of Social Director for WBG. Their first task has been
planning our Winter Meeting, more information on which appears in this issue. When the details are finalized, I
will also send out a mass mailing to make sure everyone gets the word.
Plans are under way for a Seminar to be held in mid­March with Mark Naber again taking “point” on the project.
As these plans gel, more information will be published and sent out.
Planning has also begun for the Spring meeting. There are preparations beginning with the purpose of bringing in
a “big name” balloonist to do a presentation for this kick off of the 2016 flying season.
Our finances continue in excellent shape, which should allow both the special Spring Meeting as well as a
reduction in price for the Seminar.
For now, Happy Holidays and stay warm out there!
Pete Asp
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
Page 2
Pre­World Championships in Saga, Japan
by Jim Dieball
The Worlds are coming to Saga next year, so they held a Pre­Worlds with 73 competitors
and 60 fiesta, press and shape balloons, Oct 28 – Nov 4. Saga, in far southwestern Japan,
also held World Championships in 1989 and 1997. Saga won the 2016 bid over
Albuquerque. The ‘16 dates will be Oct 30 ­ Nov 7.
Competing this year were Americans Johnny Petrehn (2nd), Joe Heartsill (6th), Chase
Donner (7th), Nick Donner (8th) and Rhett Heartsill (11th) out of 73 . Chase and Nick’s
parents both grew up in Wisconsin. Gary Moore, Mike Shrum and Chris Hancock flew
shapes. A number of other Americans were there as crew. Les Purfield of England was
the Event Director.
Rokas Kostiuskevicius from Lithuania won the event and Yudai Fujita of Japan was
third. Yudai is the son of Masa, who competed at Monroe for many years. We got 19 tasks
in, but all but one of the afternoon flights were cancelled. We did spend some afternoons
at the launch site. Mornings were four and five parters with the first morning only having a PDG and a FIN because
of rain coming in.
I (Jim Dieball) was a Debriefer (of Observers), Debbie Spaeth was a
Steward and Jack Walsh of Chicago was one of six American
Observers. He was on Staff at the Monroe World Honda Grand Prix
for many years. Bill Moyes of Columbia, MO was another American
Debriefer and the other American Observers were Mike Bertin,
Mark and Elisa Trillanes, Kim Wilson and Debbie Young. Garry
Lockyer, who was on Staff at Monroe, was Chief of Technology.
There will be 105 competitors at the 2016 Worlds, so we hope to
send ten American Observers. We expect to have a dozen American
Pilots.
Saga is a flat plain, 10 miles in radius, with the Ariake Sea (and Pacific Ocean) on one side. The crops were late again
this year and the uncut rice is very dense in terms of searching for markers. There were also lots of unharvested
soybeans. Since the race uses Observers, pilot declared goals and fly on goals at intersections are a big part of the
competition. The fields are typically one acre in size with some of them as small as 50’ by 200’. The other tasks were
mostly Fly Ins and Judge Declared Goals.
The roads are paved but very narrow. The mirrors on cars now have electric controls to fold the mirror. The
Navigation system spoke to you in English, but the POIs, recent places, etc. were all in Japanese.
The launch area is Kase riverside, the flood plain inside the dike. There is a train station and a huge amount of
shopping with spectator seating on the dike. With the short days at the end of October, the briefings were at 5:45
AM and 2 PM. The Competition Headquarters was 20 minutes west of the city and ten minutes west of the launch
area. The headquarters is part of a school complex, so the kindergarteners would come marching by or we would
watch the boys and girls school teams play baseball. I got out into the countryside to see drops at the goals and to
revisit an intersection with an Observer to unravel some issues.
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
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Officials get bento box lunches and my problem was resisting the 1500 calorie one. The community is quite involved,
with a party just about every night. Travel time for me was twenty four hours, although some connections through
Korea could be 36 hours. The WiFi at the hotels and Competition Center were good.
I think the current Saga site will get you to information about the Worlds, when it becomes available.
http://www.sagaballoonworld2016.jp/
Thank You!!
Thanks to those that contributed to this issue of the
Ventline. Gary Britton, Su Louck, Jim Dieball, Ken
Walter and Laura Elizabeth Fay
If you have something to contribute please send it to
John Swartz.
Upcoming Balloon Events
Please reference the WBG website for the current list of events
Jan 30
Feb 5­7
Mar 19
WBG Winter Dinner
Hudson Hot Air Affair
WBG Continuing Education Seminar
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
Page 4
Interesting article that Gary Britton came across a number of years ago. This was reprinted
under the "100 years ago" section in the Hartford newspaper.
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
Page 5
Jean Asp
I've known Jean since the late 70's, early 80's. I met Jean while ballooning with Pete and my late husband, Rex. We
shared many weekends flying passengers; sharing ham and Wisconsin cheese sandwiches or pizza and going to
Rallies. Jean and I were crew chiefs and shared some good times finding our pilots as they tried to hide from us;
finding chase vehicle keys and finding the "X" but mostly missing it.
One of my favorite "chase" stories was when the DNR stopped to ask us if our balloons were "herding" deer toward
us so we could shoot them, after all it was hunting season. After we offered to have our selves and vehicles searched
for guns, he finally believed we were just flying passengers for hire.
Another time as we paused to chat while waiting for our pilots to catch up to us, we heard deer breaking through the
thin ice covering water in a pond by the woods. We thought they were a heard of buffalo, but we didn't move. We
just started talking louder to scare them off in a different direction. (I guess Pete and Rex could have herded deer for
hunters!)
Over the years Jean and I shared a great deal of memory building events. I liked camping in Pete and Jean's
backyard; listening to "gravity" (apples) hit the propane tank and sharing meals, birthdays and holidays. Watching
Jean's three beautiful daughters, as well as Pete's son and daughter, grow up and become wonderful adults as well
as good balloon crew was a bonus to our friendship.
Jean and I traded points of view; recipes; troubles and good times. We had a true friendship and I will surely miss
her and our times of sharing.
Fly High and Well and Soft Landings, always,
Su (Victor) Louck
A word from the editor
I don’t get many comments regarding the Ventline, but when I do it’s mostly about how good it looks. Know that
this has nothing to do with me, but rather the efforts of Mark Naber, who somehow gets it put together so it looks
really good, every time. In fact, I don’t know of any other club newsletter that even comes close. In lieu of a huge
Christmas present for Mark, I’m offering this note of sincere thanks. Sorry Mark.
My thanks also to those of you who contribute articles, as this is the lifeblood of the Ventline. Keep it up.
Fly well, and Happy Holidays.
John
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
Page 6
Memorial ­ Bill O’Donnell
To some, he was a generous host and philanthropist. To others, he was an accomplished civil engineer and
businessman, a sailor, a pilot, a faithful member of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in the Roman Catholic
Church. Some considered him to be the embodiment of a grand explorer (joining Admiral Richard Byrd on a trip to
Antarctica was just one of many expeditions in his life). To me, he was a carabiner. Just like the ones that hold the
basket of many of our balloons to the envelope, a "behind the scenes" connector that is essential to flying, and is
willing and able to withstand great stress without being noticed.
Longtime BFA member and advocate William “Bill” D. O’Donnell entered into eternal life on August 22, 2015, one
day after his 89th birthday. Bill was born on August 21, 1926, in Brockton, MA, and grew up in poverty, working
three jobs at the age of nine to help his family. He proudly joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. While at
the University of New Mexico, he met Dixie Lou Anderson. On their first date, Bill took Dixie for a flight down the
Rio Grande in his small airplane. Dixie often recalled, with her famous sparkling laughter, she knew at that
moment that her life with Bill would be a long and glorious adventure. Bill and his sweet Dixie married in 1951, and
she was his faithful crew chief on the field, and co­pilot off the field, for many happy years.
Bill and Dixie moved to Illinois in 1953 when he accepted a position as a resident engineer with the Illinois
Department of Transportation. A few years later, he joined Gregory­Anderson, his father­in­law's construction
company.
Bill was an accomplished and passionate member in the Rockford, Illinois area, active in many organizations with
the mission of improving the community and reaching out to its residents. Bill was a tireless member of the general
aviation family. And Bill and Dixie were an integral part of ballooning in the Midwest, involved in the Monroe
Balloon Rally each spring, the Rocvale Balloon Fest, and the annual "On the Waterford Festival" over the Rock River
every Labor Day weekend. "Ginger Blue", their balloon, was familiar over the Midwest landscape, and everyone
who flew with Bill and Dixie knew that their chase vehicle, always stocked with an abundance of food, beverages,
briefing chairs, extra gloves, jackets, inflator fans...was open and available, as was their home for those afternoons
between flights.
When local balloon pilot Kevin Uliassi began planning in 1997 for his attempts to circumvent the globe in his "J.
Renee" (Rozier) balloon, it was Bill who offered his Nimtz Road stone quarry as a launch site, arranged for hangar
space at the Greater Rockford Airport to store his balloon and capsule. The offices and garage of Bill's Gregory­
Anderson building were used as a Command Central to ready the equipment and pilot for flight. And Bill connected
members of local businesses, members of the international aviation community, local balloon pilots....all to advance
the sport of ballooning, and to fulfill the dream of a fellow pilot. Bill accomplished all of this behind the scenes.
Quietly. Not seeking praise, attention, thanks, personal gain. This is precisely how Bill lived his life. As the Great
Carabiner, connecting people, places, resources. Creating lifelong friendships along the way. This is why he was so
respected and loved by those who knew him.
Bill claimed to have a terrible memory, but he always remembered to call on birthdays, to send a text or an e­mail
on the anniversary of my Pete's fatal aircraft accident, to message me on Facebook ­ sometimes when he could see
that I was online working in the middle of the night. Sometimes reminiscing about Pete, or about Dixie, or about
life in general. I'd receive envelopes occasionally with photos that Bill had found, news articles that brought back
fond memories. Bill would check in with me from time to time to ask about the results of the medical tests that he
knew I avoided. A gentle reminder.
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
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A soft breeze to push me to the target when he knew that I'd gone off course. And I know that I was one among
many that he guided throughout his 89 years. Until August 22nd, 2015, when Bill joined his beloved Dixie, taking
one last trip up the Rio Grande, I'm sure, as he flew to be home with her on an adventure that will last forever.
Bill is survived by his children; Craig (Dawn) O’Donnell of Fort Myers, FL, and Virginia “Ginger” (Paul) Thompson;
grandchildren, Stephanie, Linnea, Ted, Shannon, and Aleisha; great grandchildren, Jack, Zane, and Finn; two
nephews and six nieces. And a crew of many fellow balloonists who will carry the legacy of this great explorer and
philanthropist with them wherever they fly.
Laura Elizabeth Fay
SAVE THE DATES!!
WBG Winter Dinner
January 30th, 2016
Location TBD
Questions?? Contact Kathy Ross ([email protected]) or
David Ross ([email protected])
38th Annual Midwest Continuing Education Seminar
March 19th, 2016
St. Mary Parish Community Center
Waukesha, WI
Questions?? Contact Mark Naber ([email protected])
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
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VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
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WBG Membership Application
____ Pilot – $20.00
____ Additional pilots in household – $10.00 each
____ Crew – $15.00 (per household)
____ Event Official – $15.00 (per household)
____ Business / Corporate – add $50.00
____ Life Membership ­ $200
____ New Member
____ Renewing Member
Name(s): ______________________________________________
For new members and renewing members with changes, please complete the following.
Address: ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________________
Phone: (___)__________
Secondary Phone: (___)____________________
E:Mail: ____________________________________
Balloon Owner: No/Yes
N# ________ Balloon name: ___________________________
N# ________ Balloon name: ___________________________
Preferred communication:
E:Mail _____ Surface mail: _______
Please check box if you would like your information withheld from the membership roster. [ ]
Note: The Wisconsin Balloon Group does not publish the contact information of its members.
Related Memberships: [Circle and/or complete]
BFA No/Yes #_______________
EAA No/Yes #_______________
AOPA No/Yes #__________________
Other:____________________________
Please complete the following information. Check all that apply.
[ ] Pilot
[ ] Crew
[ ] Observer
Student
( )
BFA Crew Achievement
BFA Observer Achievement
Private
( )
Level: ______
Level: ______
Commercial
( )
Primary Pilot(s) Crewed:
( ) Hot Air
[ ] Sport
[ ] Competition
____________________
( ) Gas
[ ] Rides
[ ] Promotion
____________________
( ) CIA RegisteredObserver
[ ] Instruction / Accept Students
BFA Pilot Achievement Level: ____
[ ] Event official
Ratings: Hot Air ___ Gas ___ Other______________
Role(s):______________
Indicate areas where you would consider volunteering, to advance ballooning and the WBG:
Ventline Reporter Social Events Membership Special Events Land Owner Relations
Safety Seminar
Other:
Send application form and dues to:
Pete Asp, WBG Membership Director
W1341 County Road B
Sullivan, WI 53178
[email protected]
262­593­2251
VENTLINE
A publication of the Wisconsin Balloon Group
Wisconsin Balloon Group Leadership
Executive Director
[email protected]
262­593­2251
Pete Asp
W1341 County Road B
Sullivan, WI 53178
Landowner Program Director
[email protected]
Ken Walter
W241 S4115 Pine Hollow Court
414­587­6425
Waukesha, WI 53189
Membership Director
[email protected]
262­593­2251
Pete Asp
W1341 County Road B
Sullivan, WI 53178
Newsletter Editor
[email protected]
608­630­0885
John Swartz
3142 K and R Road
Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
Original Member Advisor
[email protected]
262­338­2300
Debbie Spaeth
P.O. Box 674
West Bend, WI 53095
Past Executive Director
[email protected]
414­333­5664
Gary Britton
4458 Summit Ridge
Slinger, WI 53086
Central Regional Director
(Vacant)
Fox Valley Regional Director
[email protected]
920­450­1312
Jeff Trzebiatowski
1619 East Pershing St.
Appleton, WI 54911
Illinois Regional Director
Kim Neil
[email protected]
815­450­1777
1500 Shawnee
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Southern Regional Director
[email protected]
608­755­1828
Jim Bushelle
4042 Saratoga
Janesville, WI 53546
Social Director
(Vacant)
Website Director
[email protected]
414­305­1708
Mark Naber
S89 W22570 Loretto Lane
Big Bend, WI 53103
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