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A beatiful morning to fly
-- this is from an area in New Jersey
(picture of ClipAway taken by Harry & Donna Ryba, while passengers in NeonWind)
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Factory, Prior Owner, and My 1st Inflation of ClipAway #1Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
  
I took possession of "ClipAway" #1, a Cameron Viva 77, on a snowy January 8, 1999. I was unable inflate the balloon until February 6, 1999. Between that time (as I waited patiently???), the balloon factory and the prior owner were able to help me visualize the balloon with drawings and pictures.
(Left) Cameron, USA was nice enough to send me a colored drawing, while I waited for the weather to let me inflate ClipAway
(Middle) The previous owner sent me this picture from when the balloon was named "Ron Day View II"
(Right) An overcast day, but it was my first inflation of ClipAway
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My First Flight in ClipAway #1 |
3/20/99 -- A day to remember.... The Brietling-Orbiter3 landed after circumnavigating the globe, Last day of Winter/First night of Spring, AND Finally... the weather cooperated (had to wait for the breeze to die down). The sun was shining, the winds became light, and the temp was 54 for the afternoon Maiden Flight of "ClipAway" (and would you believe....we all forgot about taking pictures!)
The direction wasn't too bad - east (taking me toward horse farms). With the winds real light at altitude, I ascended to 4200 AGL (the highest I'd ever flown, and not something to do in that direction if the winds were any stronger). I Could see the ocean, New York City and Philadelphia.
Anyway, had a nice landing way back in an unplanted farm field and we walked the balloon back to towards the road before packing up. It was also the maiden chase for my "new" '89 full size chevy pickup (extended cab, 8' bed).
Everyone had a good time -except me -- I had a GREAT time.
.....And to my crew: .....THANK YOU . THANK YOU . THANK YOU.
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Out of the Bag and ClipAway #2's first InflationClick on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
  
I just had to walk inside the new ClipAway the first time we started a cold inflate. On April 5th, 2001 she finally stood up, and lofted into the air for her maiden flight. from a southern NJ balloonport .. What a sight - so bright and clean!
 
The above 2 pictures were taken months later (Left by Alex Lanning, Right by Martin Leclair)
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Bristol, Ct 1999 and 2000 |
 | Looking up at ClipAway - Balloons over Bristol - 5/27/2000 (picture credit Ed Beldowski) |
| ClipAway in her glory - Balloons over Bristol - 5/27/2000 (picture credit Ed Beldowski) |  |
 | Two Balloon Club Presidents in their respective balloons playing follow the leader - Balloons over Bristol - 5/28/2000 (forground - Santo Galatioto, Connecticut Lighter than Air Society, background - Gene Burnstein, Great Eastern Balloon Association). (picture credit Lisa Huck) |
| Santo's balloon and ClipAway following the road. (picture credit Jim O'Brien) |  |
 | My First Festival with ClipAway - Balloons Over Bristol - 5/29/99. (picture credit: Ed Beldowski) |
| ClipAway is the high balloon in this picture, also from Balloons over Bristol - 5/28/99. (picture credit: Ed Beldowski) | 
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Thumbnails of Bristol, CT 2000 & Plainville, CT 2000Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
 The "gang" at the Park: (back row L-R) Me, Ann Czuchta, Jay Beaucar, Lisa Beaucar, Meric Martin (front row L-R) Maura Casorio, Barbara St.Onge, Lori Beaucar, Larry Burnstein
   pictures taken from ClipAway (ok, so they are not pics of ClipAway, but they are close..):
 Bev Theodore caught this picture of my chase truck and ClipAway during a cold inflation at the Bristol,CT. festival.
 After taking off from Norton Park in Plainville, CT., Ed Beldowsky captured this picture of the sky (ClipAway proudly stands out with 15 other balloons and an ultralight.
   While flying his own balloon 'Big Green', Jim O'Brien caught these pictures of ClipAway at the Plainville, CT. festival.
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Raritan Day (New Jersey) 2000Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
  You just never know what you will come across on landing! Check out the RAINBOW shot (left) after landing. We also had some help come along on horseback (both of these were firsts for me)
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ClipAway #1 Retirement Flight January 14, 2001Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
  ClipAway on its final flight into retirement on January 14, 2001 from a southern NJ balloonport. This was also my first flight over snow!! What a wonderful way to go out.
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Thumbnails of ClipAway in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada 2001Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
ClipAway coming towards the camera, while staying low over a farm field (photo by Dorothy Gergely).
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Pictures from My Commercial Check Ride - October 20, 2002Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
  On the left is a view of my crew just after launching with my Commercial Check Ride examiner, Mike Fairbanks. Next is just after making a soft landing on the grassy path while traveling left to right. (Photo credits: Mike Fairbanks).
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My Local Crew Click on THUMBNAILS to see the picture (should open a new window) |
 ClipAway being packed up by Linda & Mike Callaghan, myself, and Bob Puttock. (picture credit: Georgia Puttock)
 ClipAway crew enjoying a toast -- left-right: Larry Burnstein, Bob Pelton, myself, Jackie Lord, Linda & Mike Callaghan
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