|
|
|
At the crack of dawn, several hot air balloon teams gathered. Unfortunately, though the winds were nearly calm at the surface, they were blowing at 60 knots at 1000 feet, so the balloons couldn't fly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A burner illuminates the pre-dawn sky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Wild Goose team checks out the basket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The envelope is laid out for inflation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes things don't go perfectly... there seemed to be a small leak or something stuck on the burner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Civil Air Patrol and the Boy Scouts came by to help several of the teams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up, up and... well, not away... at least not this day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The CAP helps open up the Wild Goose's envelope.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ed Lamiere, owner of Wild Goose, holds the envelope open to get the inflation process started.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Boy Scouts got in on the action as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A small crowd got up early to watch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
After a few minutes of having the balloon inflated, the deflation cord was pulled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballooning is quite beautiful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everyone really wished they could fly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are an almost infinite number of colors and designs available for balloons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The basket, with the envelope inside, is loaded back onto the van.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bell 47s gave the sunrise the feel of being on the set of M*A*S*H
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Boy Scouts help haul a balloon envelope to the van.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's a little ironic that a Cold War-era jet from the Communist bloc would wear Blue Angels colors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A proud owner cares for his PT-22.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sun 'N Fun runs its own radio station, and has many interesting interviews and features.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sonexes were popular with the LSA crowd.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elaine Hansen drives this jet dragster, sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It hits 100mph in 1 second and 300 in 5.5 seconds... then she has to pull the chutes to keep from flying off the end of the track.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All these airplanes are tiring, especially for young feet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A squadron of T-34s flies overhead for the Warbirds portion of the airshow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Corsair made many very fast, impressive passes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A pair of T-28s return from their part in the activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Corsair never fails to impress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The USAF Heritage Flight is always a crowd favorite.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The F-22 can fly at very low speeds...
|
|
|
|
|
|
... and then power its way right into a vertical climb.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
