Civil Air Patrol Hot Air Balloon Picture(?!)

[JC004]

When you search for pictures of the Civil Air Patrol hot air balloon on Google image search, the following comes up:



Coincidence? 

Also, does anybody actually have pictures of them?

[Eclipse]

Your Google-Fu is weak...

[Eclipse]

More:

http://kalemis.com/cap/balloon/index.htm

[whatevah]

here are two of my own shots from a few years ago.  2005 I think. 

[JC004]

Sweet. Thanks. My connection was having issues and I was getting frustrated. Took like 10 minutes to post the topic too. :-(

[SarDragon]

Hey, I know someone in bottom the picture. 

[JC004]

Yay!  I can post again.  Had to reply from my phone earlier.

So I like the Darth Vader balloon and I am thinking that CAP could replace the current balloons with a Darth Vader and a Cadet Ken.

Does anyone know how many we have or where they are right now?

[Eclipse]

The one in my pics is assigned to ILWG and was at Johnson last week.

[Capt_Redfox30]

This is the link that Eclipse was talking about.  The balloon pics are near the bottom of the page. 
http://www.ilgp1.org/2010-jfa.htm

[JC004]

Yikes.  That's a lot of pictures.  You need a Coppermine or somethin'. 

[CadetProgramGuy]

Is there only 1 CAP balloon?  For some reason I thought there were 2.

[Al Sayre]

MS Wing has one.  Here's an article...

http://mswg.cap.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16:mswg-members-fly-in-balloon-festival&catid=9:news-and-events&Itemid=14

[JC004]

MS Wing has one.  Here's an article...

http://mswg.cap.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16:mswg-members-fly-in-balloon-festival&catid=9:news-and-events&Itemid=14

"only" balloon?

[davidsinn]

Is there only 1 CAP balloon?  For some reason I thought there were 2.

Looks like we have N1658A and N1981D So we only have two. Interestingly enough according to the database still have some Pipers and Aeroncas and even a Fairchild.

[Al Sayre]

MS Wing has one.  Here's an article...

http://mswg.cap.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16:mswg-members-fly-in-balloon-festival&catid=9:news-and-events&Itemid=14

"only" balloon?

I didn't write the article...

[JC004]

I'm asking.  I don't know the answer.  For all I know, the other two could be privately owned or were disposed of...

[CadetProgramGuy]

Ok, so question begs to be asked.....what can a member do to get flight time in the CAP balloon, like for an add on rating?

[Eclipse]

In my wing, anyway, you generally have to participate in the flight academy, or one of the few times when it goes to a balloon show.

They are a PITA for airshows - while once inflated they look amazing and attract a lot of attention, they require a minimum 100ft radius restricted area to set them up, and can only be inflated in 5 knot or less winds.

They also cant fly - only being allowed for tethered lift (which is a challenge at most airports), and only CAP members can get in them.

[CadetProgramGuy]

We have the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Ia.  I would love to have the Balloon set up for static display, possibly fly some of the cadets, but I do not know how to go about getting it here.

I know Wing DO, Wing CC are involved, but after that.  Would love to recruit a CFI balloonist and take lessons to fly it here, but with 2 in the nation, i think that is wishful thinking.

Might just have to go to Illinois Wing.

[Eclipse]

I can never remember who the balloon guys are, but if you contact the Wing CV, I'm sure he could connect you.

I'd be willing to bet they would love another place to use it.

[CadetProgramGuy]

Its in August. so lets try.

[Al Sayre]

Ok, so question begs to be asked.....what can a member do to get flight time in the CAP balloon, like for an add on rating?

Come to Jackson MS, pay for the fuel, pray for the weather.

[CadetProgramGuy]

Ah, rather not, last time I was there I broke the axle on the semi I was driving.  Cost me arm and a leg.

Bad Juju in that part fo the world....

[JC004]

[BillB]

Get rid of the Darth Vader balloon and get a Tony Pine** balloon. Ironic, a HOT AIR Balloon.