Bluner Bill Cool Change Festivals Links Ballooning Terms
Want tunes? "Clic a pic" (or an animation) for an oldies sound! When prompted, choose 'Open' and adjust your computer's volume. Enjoy! |
||
Featured selections: "Cool Change" "Magic Carpet Ride" "Sounds Of Silence" "I Can See Clearly" |
'Bluner Bill' is Wm. G. (Bill) Scarberry, Jr., a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified, Commercially Rated Hot Air Balloon Pilot and is commercially licensed by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Kenya, Africa to fly passenger balloons up to 310,000 cubic feet and to train in the 400,000 cubic feet balloon (the worlds largest passenger carrying balloon). With more than 830 hours, Bill has been a member of the Balloon Federation of America since 1988. "Bluner Bill" previously did business as "Sky High Balloon Promotions" from Abingdon, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities Area of Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport, Tennessee and surrounding areas, and before that in and around Huntington, West Virginia. He now resides in Harrisburg, North Carolina. Bill is a mild mannered adventure loving guy that has been flying safely throughout the Virginias, the Carolinas and Kenya since 1986. (originally from LeSage, West Virginia.) He is repeatedly invited to fly at several festivals throughout the Appalachian Mountains and in the Eastern United States and Canada. Now semi-retired as a full time balloon pilot, he flys only for fun and sport.
Cool Change; AEROSTAT: N31226 Ballooning Terms:
Built: August 1996
Model: 8B-15; Firefly by "The Balloon Works", Statesville, NC
Gross weight limit: 1900 lbs
Total system weight : 630 lbs. (includes 4 full fuel tanks); typical flight is 3 passengers; no more than 600 lbs., besides pilot.
Envelope (balloon): polyester material sewn to a Nylon FlexNet System making the only purpose of the material to hold the air inside the envelope. The FlexNet System is sewn around eighteen, 3/8 inch nylon load ropes which eventually suspend the gondola containing the payload. Maximum heat 300 degrees F; temperatures reach between 150 degrees to 250 degrees F, with a full load of passengers during a typical flight.
Burner: is a single T3-017; fueled by liquified propane gas; can carry 3 or 4, 10 gallon tanks of fuel. (I usually fly with 3 except for long distance flights.)
Rate of ascent and descent: usually a relaxing 200 feet per minute; not to exceed 1000 feet per minute.
"Aeronaut" ... One who flys in an Aerostat.
"Gondola" ... the passenger compartment carried by the balloon, also called a basket.
"Burner" ... the device that burns the fuel that heats the air that lifts the balloon above the ambient air.
"Chase Crew" ... crew of balloon team members who chase the aerostat from the ground and attempt to meet the aeronaut at the landing site, then help recover the balloon and passengers.
"Envelope" ... the balloon itself; the cloth compartment to be filled with hot air.
"Propane" ... a liquified gas used by the burner to heat the air that fills the balloon for proper lift.
"Tether" ... balloon is filled and lifted, but is anchored to the ground.
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget
to sign my guest book before you go!