[Sky Chariots of Fire, complete with sidebar] Page: 7 of 13
13 p.View a full description of this text.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
In the 1960s new nylon fabrics and propane burners gave birth to modern hot air
ballooning, which boomed in the Eighties as more powerful burners appeared.
Today, a typical hot air balloon costs $15-20,000. Hourly operating expenses
equal those of a small airplane, Vizzard says, adding that approximately half of the
world's 12,000 licensed balloon pilots live in the U.S. Because of its mild climate, Texas
and the Southwest remain strongholds in the sport.
As much as competition, however, camaraderie keeps high-flying aeronauts
enthralled with their sport.
"It's a great family activity because it takes several people to do it," says pilot
Wayne Bond of Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the nation's largest balloon event.
"It gets you back to the basics of life. It draws people together. It's hard to get mad
floating around in a hot air balloon."
Even in the heat of competition at Longview's respected race, pilots welcome
first-time passengers with a traditional champagne ceremony. Safely on the ground at
the end of the flight, greenhorn fliers get on their knees (hands behind their backs),
bend over, and sip champagne from a paper cup. As the celebrants try to maneuver
more bubbly down their throats than on their shirts, pilot and crew recite The
Balloonist's Prayer:
"The winds have welcomed you with softness.
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.
You have flown so high and so well,
That God has joined you in laughter,
And set you gently back again
Into the loving arms of Mother Earth."
Whether you fly the Great Texas Balloon Race or merely muse at its magnificent
sky chariots of fire, to those sentiments most anyone could send up a rousing "Amen."
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This text can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Text.
Mallory, Randy. [Sky Chariots of Fire, complete with sidebar], text, July 1995; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1923942/m1/7/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.