HOT AIR BALLOON LIFTS OFF FROM PUTNAM COUNTY
by Debbie Fischgrabe
June 25, 2009
The Putnam County S.O.A.R. Before and Afterschool Program hosted
a visit from the Balloon Stormers on Wednesday, June 24th. Mr. Gary
Sines and his assistant Mr. Dan Corkery reside near Columbia,
Missouri and they came to share their 35-year involvement with
hot-air ballooning; to educate the S.O.A.R. students and their
families about the science that is involved in flying, and to
provide a demonstration including inflation and launching of their
balloon. 
HOT AIR BALLOON VISIT TO P.C.
Students were allowed to climb into the basket, observe the
controls, ask their many questions and get an “up close and
personal” opportunity to observe the equipment. The 90-foot-balloon
was stretched out on the football field, attached to the basket and
inflated for lift-off. The balloon that the Balloon Stormers
brought to Putnam County was in the shape of a huge bumble bee,
affectionately referred to as “Buzzy Bee.” The students were
delighted to see the huge bee take flight from the high school
football field at dusk.
Before any balloon is launched, the pilot must determine the wind
direction to establish the direction or course that his balloon
will follow. The air is in layers, and these layers may move in
different directions. The pilot has the ability to steer the
balloon up or down once he finds an air layer that will allow the
balloon to change direction.
The balloon landed at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital and
several individuals helped the crew pack their gear for their trip
home—but, not before several Putnam County children and adults had
a glimpse of the magic that comes with hot-air ballooning. Some
stated that this was a “once in a lifetime,” opportunity, and
indeed, I believe it was!
