Elite pilots prepare for ‘camping out in the sky’ as they compete in prestigious gas balloon race

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – It’s been 15 years since the international’s elite gas balloon pilots have accumulated in the United States for a race with roots that reach again greater than a century.

The pilots can be launching for this yr’s Gordon Bennett pageant all through an international balloon fiesta that attracts masses of hundreds of spectators to the center of New Mexico every fall. The race has been held in the United States most effective 13 occasions sooner than, and this can be the 5th time the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has performed host.

The release window opens Saturday night time for what’s billed as one in every of the maximum prestigious occasions in aviation.

Some concern that the huge spheres may well be incorrect for Chinese spy balloons as they traverse the higher reaches of America’s airspace. But the pilots who can be racing don’t seem to be anxious. They’re extra excited by charting a route that can stay them out of dangerous climate and provides their hydrogen-filled balloons a trail to victory.

There are not any stops to refuel or to pick out up further provides. They can be aloft for days, wearing the whole thing they wish to continue to exist at excessive altitude as they seek for the correct mix of wind currents to push their tiny baskets as a long way as they can cross. Prevailing winds are anticipated to hold the competition via the Midwest towards the northeastern U.S. and probably into Canada.

A Belgium staff holds the file for touring simply over 2,112.9 miles (3,400 kilometers) in 2005. A German staff was once added to the file books for staying aloft the longest — greater than 92 hours — all through the 1995 pageant. Willi Eimers, a member of that German staff, holds the file for the choice of occasions a pilot has competed in the race. He and his son, Benjamin, are again this yr to protect their identify.

Albuquerque balloonists Barbara Fricke and husband Peter Cuneo can be amongst 3 American groups. Their ballooning résumé comprises 4 wins in the America’s Challenge long-distance gas balloon race, and third- and fourth-place finishes in earlier Gordon Bennett competitions.

The couple are at a slight downside as a result of their top. Their lengthy legs make it difficult to squeeze right into a basket this is about 4 ft by means of 5 ft (1.22 meters by means of 1.52 meters) broad. They do have a entice door on the facet so they can stretch out if wanted.

On a up to date day, Fricke and Cuneo had their apparatus unfold out on their lounge ground as they checked their radio, transponder and GPS unit. A small sun panel and batteries will lend a hand to stay issues charged whilst in the air. Dried meals, together with Cheez-Its, are on the in-flight menu.

The thought was once to get the whole thing in a position in advance so they may just relaxation in the days main as much as the race and get themselves in the proper frame of mind.

“You’ve got to start thinking — yes, I’m going to live in this basket for three days, and this is going to be home, and I’m just camping out in the sky,” Fricke mentioned.

Another U.S. access in the race is the staff of Mark Sullivan and Cheri White, either one of whom have an extended checklist of accolades: Sullivan holds the file for the maximum pageant gas balloon flights — 25 Gordon Bennett flights and 21 America’s Challenge races, whilst White has flown in the Gordon Bennett 14 occasions, the maximum ever by means of a feminine pilot.

Sullivan, president of the FAI Ballooning Commission, mentioned this can be a very powerful yr as the fiesta is partnering with hydrogen corporate BayoTech on a brand new machine to transform high-pressure gas normally used for the long-haul trucking business and different cars in order that it will probably fill the race balloons.

Pilots and organizers say hydrogen has been onerous to return by means of.

Never thoughts the price — it may be a couple of thousand greenbacks to fill a 1,000 cubic meter (35,315 cubic foot) balloon.

Sullivan were given his first style of gas ballooning in 1985. After launching from a rural house east of Albuquerque, he and fellow pilot Jacques Soukup attempted to land in West Texas. The wind was once howling, and they busted via a barbed cord fence. They bailed from the basket as it were given dragged for some other a mile, crashing via extra barbed cord and herds of horses and farm animals.

The balloon was once shredded, the basket was once mangled and Sullivan was once addicted to the game.

Competitive gas ballooning is one thing of an unique membership, however Sullivan and others are looking to get a brand new technology concerned by means of coaching more youthful pilots.

There had been many technological developments over the years — baskets are actually manufactured from carbon fiber, mapping and monitoring apps are top-notch, and kit is getting lighter and extra compact.

But the pilots nonetheless take nice pains to verify certain they’re at preventing weight. Every pound shaved manner they may be able to upload some other ballast — further weight in the type of sandbags or water jugs which can be used to lend a hand stay the balloon flying longer.

Unlike the colourful scorching air balloons that ascend en masse all through the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by means of the usage of heated ambient air, gas balloons have an envelope full of a gas lighter than air — in most cases hydrogen. Some of the gas is misplaced as it expands and contracts as temperatures differ all through the day, so pilots do away with ballast to deal with altitude.

Teams get dressed in layers — lengthy johns, hats, gloves and hand heaters for the frigid in a single day and morning hours. In the afternoon, the solar will also be extra intense at excessive altitude.

Sullivan, 73, spent closing week getting his basket in a position and reviewing his tick list. It relies on the place he and White are flying, however every so often survival fits and inflatable existence rafts are on the checklist.

He recalled the Gordon Bennett pageant that came about after the 9/11 assaults in 2001. The gas balloons have been the most effective issues in the sky as planes have been nonetheless grounded.

In 1995, two fellow Americans have been killed when they have been shot down over Belarus by means of the army. Sullivan and his copilot have been detained when they landed in the nation.

Every flight is other, with the pilots by no means certain about the place they may land. Risk is inherent, and they understand how a long way they can push the envelope.

“It’s the adventure,” Sullivan mentioned. “Every year when we land, we say, ‘We’re not doing this. It’s crazy.’ Then you decide, OK, let’s go up there. Because once you get up there, it’s wonderful — just that experience of flying.”