US Flag Balloon Inaugural Flight

US Flag Balloon Site ^ | 5/26/02 | Teri DiLibero

[abner]

www.usflagballoon.com

We flew the nations flag this week for the first time over Kimberton, Pennsylania. Needless to say, it was SPECTACULAR!

On Wednesday evening we did a test flight of the US Flag balloon. Thank goodness, because the press flight on Friday was a bit too windy to take off safely. But, we gave the press one heck of a show anyway.

ABOUT THE BALLOON

Balloon Size: 78 Feet long, 53 Feet tall, 29 feet deep. When inflated with hot air, the complete balloon (basket and envelope) stand almost 70 feet tall.

124,000 cubic feet when inflated. Capacity of more than 700,000 3'x5' US flags.

Balloon weight: 530 pounds. Complete balloon and basket weighs about 950 pounds, without passengers!

Balloon Capacity: Will carry 3 average size adults plus the pilot.

Power: 2 propane burners rated at 30,000,000 BTU's. This is not a typo. THIRTY MILLION!

The air inside the balloon can be as hot as 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aircraft Registration number: N225YR (it is the 225th Anniversary of the flag and our country)

NOTE: 3 balloons have been made that represent a country's flag. Canada (which no longer flies) and Belgium are both 90,000 cubic feet and the US Flag Balloon, the largest flying flag ever produced. 

We will be taking the balloon to events around the country this year, and for years to come. We hope to hand a pocket Constitution to every child we encounter.

The test flight went off without a hitch. We flew for about an hour and the reaction on the ground was stunning. Traffic stopped and everyone just stared. One of our crew people told me that people everywhere picked up their cell phone to call someone on their phones. No matter where we were, people on the street just stopped. It was pretty amazing.

For Friday's press flight, we did get off the ground, we just stayed tethered and anyone that wanted a little ride, got one. I found out later when I was going through the pictures, that FreeRepublic's Taxman actually got a little burner time... ;-) He is a sneaky one.

Later, our press Princess, ReaganGirl hopped in and got some air time.

Make sure you check out the website to see where we will be this summer and for many photos of the US Flag balloon in all of its glorious splendor. We are also still looking for advertisers for our pocket Constitution program, if you are interested please contact me.

www.usflagballoon.com

This project has been a long time in coming, and for those of you who wondered what the car was for, this is it. The car is one of our chase vehicles.

I just love it when a plan comes together...

[abner]

For Friday's press flight, the CBS News affiliate KYW3 came out to get footage, as did the Philadelphia Inquirer. We made the cover page of the Regional section of Saturday's paper. I have been told today that someone saw us on CNN last night and another friend of mine saw us on a CBS affiliate in South Carolina last night.

Special thanks to:

ReaganGirl for her finesse and ability to understand this entire project. Also for her ability to relate to certain people that news DOES continue on the weekends.

I would also like to thank Taxman for being such a trooper for driving up from Va. twice to see this launch.

If anyone sees this on the news this Memorial Day weekend, please let me know. We seem to be getting a bit more coverage than we expected, and I would love to know where it ends up.

[abner]

As promised.

[IronJack]

Congratulations on a spectacular tribute to our nation and its symbol. It gives a whole new meaning to "fly the flag."

[abner]

Thanks. The pictures just don't do it justice.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I never saw a square ballon before. Cool!

[abner]

Ping!

[abner]

I never saw a square ballon before. Cool!

That seems to be the general reaction. Then, people say, "Wow!"

[alisasny]

You got my nomination for Freeper of the Year 2002 and its only May.

Most excellant job!!!!

[abner]

Thank you. That is impressive coming from someone like you! :-)

[abner]

Is this worthy of the ping list?

[abner]

For you.

[abner]

Ping!

[A Navy Vet]

Congratulations, abner. Just too too cool. So where are you flying on Memorial Day, May 27th(observed) and May 30th(actual)?

BTW, who is supplying and financing your pocket Constitutions? We didn't have any luck with The Heritage Foundation afterall. Maybe we can pool our resources, since Constitutional education is the main thrust of VetsCoR and we want to build up a supply of those pocket-sized handouts.

[abner]

Actually, this is our last free weekend for a long time. I will be at my sons graduation next weekend.

We should talk about the Pocket Constitution thing. Right now, I may end up doing them long hand. LOL!

[alisasny]

Sponsorship opportunities

[dixie sass]

It is an AWESOME sight. Well, maybe that word is a little abused, but y'all, that is the only word that I have heard all weekend when I show the video clip to people.

I think I told you about the people who came to view the apartment next door - they weren't allowed to see the apartment until they saw the clip. What I didn't tell you, is that they came back and watched it three more times!!!

Are you bringing it to Las Vegas?

[abner]

It is AWESOME! That is funny about the video clip. I hope to get more up today or tomorrow. I guess I've been saying that for a couple of days now.

[dixie sass]

I am sending everyone I know the url to the website and in the email, asking that they seriously consider helping to sponsor the flag and the pocket-size Constitutions. Hope that this will help some.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Great looking hotaircraft!

I can't wait to see it when you come up to the Great Falls Balloon Festival in August.

I'll try to make it to the front and score a ride.

Should I make my reservation here and now?

[abner]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

I'm amazed that we didn't get more support from the foundations and organizations that we contacted. I don't even really care if we print them or if we give out ones that are already printed. I just want to get them out there. We will have the audience wherever we go. They will come to us. How cool is that?