| Capt Kim McCourt,
Kim has been with us for 8 years. About two years
ago he said he would like to learn how to fly. His
life has not been the same since. He has worked his
butt off to learn the regulations and get his flight time as
well as purchased his own balloon to finish his training in.
We are happy to say that on July 27th of 2008 Kim took his
first
SOLO flight! Have a
look on the calendar to see his photo after his solo flight.
We will end up moving him from this page to the pilot page
soon.
Photos below were take of Kim's SOLO on
07/27/08 |
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Capt Kim is now a pilot. He
does very well for his experience but every time he
thinks he is getting good I remind him I have BOOTS with
more flight hours than he has!
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| Audra Thompson Brother Jon's daughter. Audra is a balloon crew person
right out of the gate. Pictured here at the United
States National Championships she is right at home on the
balloon launch field. She will jump on board on any
flight if you tell her there is a spare spot. Her
infectious smile and go get em attitude will put a smile on
your face. |
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| Connie Thompson Sarge as we all have come to
affectionately know her. Mom "Connie" Thompson started
chasseing for Jeff back in the mid 70's. Connie was
the first chase team the Thompson Family had. Later
when Dad "Jim" started to fly she became his chase crew.
Father was content with flying in balloon festivals but
mother wanted to chase in competition. So father had
no real choice but to become a competitive pilot and fly in
balloon competitions. Thanks to Mother being so
persistent father was awarded the *Shields-Trauger
Award this last year in Albuquerque. This is the
higest award in ballooning and father gave most of the
credit exactly where it should have gone. MOM...
This is a special award (BFA's highest) and therefore
does not have to be awarded annually. (BFA Balloon
Federation of America) |
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| Pat Woods Pat is the Universal Crew person. Crewing for several
of the pilots in the area he also goes on the road with
brother Jon in the summer time. When he is on the road
with brother Jon he is the Chief Crew person for the
Children's Miracle Network balloon team. If you look
on the TA calendar you will see his name on several days.
The GC on the calendar means Ground Crew so when you see GC
Pat then that is ground crew Pat. |
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| Patrick Layton Retired navy seal and mailman for Disney, Patrick is also a
student pilot. He is learning to fly balloons while he
chases for them. Patrick also crews for several pilots
but we like to get our hands on him first if we can.
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| Linda Quinn Linda came to us out of the blue. We received a call
one day asking if we needed crew for Thursday.
Bewildered by the straight out comment or question we said
sure. Linda showed up and turned into one of the best
crew we have ever had. Pleasant with the passengers
and almost as excited as the passengers she does a great job
of answering questions and entertaining the passengers on
the van ride back to the Black Angus after the flight. |
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| Hailey Thompson Hailey is the daughter of Jeff's sister Jule. Hailey
has been involved in ballooning since she was able to walk.
Starting out as crew for grandpa (Jim Thompson) Hailey and
her brother Tyler were more or less born into ballooning.
Hailey has spent the last few summers down from Iowa,
crewing for us! It never fails the first day she is
out on the crew as soon as all the other crews here her
voice on the radio the next ten minutes all you hear is "HI HAILEY" "HI HAILEY" "HI HAILEY" "HI HAILEY" "HI HAILEY",,,..... |
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| Christina, "What all is it you do when you crew" answer was come out and see! She did and found out
that she enjoyed it way more than the thought she would.
Now she is out several times a week. She is a jewel
and we sure enjoy her bubbly attitude each day. She
also photographs much better than Steve.... |
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|
Paul and Julie Drew Paul and Julie are friends from the
UK. They chase balloons back home in the UK and when
they come to the Orlando area each year they chase for us.
Friends for many years we all look forward to their yearly
visit. Great fun and just down right good people we
are blessed to have them out and to have them here to play
with us each year. |
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|
Maggie Mae I went out with a friend to look at some
puppies. I was not there to get a dog, however, this
little puppy came out from behind a shed and laid across my
feet and went to sleep. Several of the guys looked at
me and said. Looks like you have been chosen. I
guess I was. She has turned out to be the love of my
life. Well mannered and extremely obedient.
Maggie Mae is a great member of our ground team. She
is not out every day but if she is with us on your flight
day you too will fall in love with my little girl. See
Maggie in Action! |
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