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 Ireland and wife Nancy were there to launch their balloon
‘Sunglow.’ Along with the Irelands, balloonist Jim Phelan was on
hand with his balloon ‘Good Greeph,’ and Al Reusch was there with
his balloon ‘Knot Again.’
According to Phelan and Reusch, for a hobby balloonist to reach
1,000 flight hours, especially in central Illinois, is an amazing
milestone. Ireland added that flying in Illinois is a challenge
primarily because of the weather.
Phelan noted that when he takes off for a flight, he anticipates
that he will need to land within the hour. Typically wind speeds in
the air are higher than on the ground. So even on calmer days, the
wind above can pick up and cause an early landing. Also, finding a
good landing spot can be a challenge, especially this time of year
when there are crops in the field. Finally, consideration has to be
given to the amount of fuel onboard for the flight.
 The Ireland’s have been taking to the skies for the past 26 years
and are a mainstay at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival each
year. Phelan noted that it was Jim Ireland who has played a big role
in getting several of his balloonist friends to come each year to
the local festival.
Jim said he first became interested in ballooning several years ago.
He had told Nancy that he would like to ride in a hot air balloon.
While on a vacation trip to Napa Valley, California, Nancy booked a
ride with a commercial pilot. Ireland said it was a great
experience, though he noted that the commercial balloon, with its
eight passenger basket was not the same as the smaller balloons that
will transport only a few people. He said that in California’s Napa
Valley, the weather is ideal for ballooning, and the ride was a nice
long one.
Later, the couple was attending speed boat races in Indiana when
they came across hobby balloonists who were taking flight nearby.
Ireland said that was what capped his interest and made him decide
this was a sport he wanted to take up.
The Irelands travel around the country with their balloon Sunglow
and have even flown in the mother of all balloon festivals, The
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
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Ireland talked about his early days of flight saying that when he
would take off, he would stress a little bit about where he was
going to land. He remembered one day when the balloon was following
a wind path that was coinciding with a road and high-line poles for
miles. He said he kept wondering when the poles would take a turn,
leaving him a clear spot ahead for landing. Today, he said he
doesn’t worry so much about things like that because it always works
out.
Phelan commented on this as well saying that most often people ask about the
danger of ballooning. He said balloonists don’t dwell on the danger involved.
They think about the great experience they are having, and the effect it is
having on people on the ground as they fly over. He said it is great to see the
people, especially the kids who chase and wave as the balloon flies over.
On Friday evening, the balloons began airing up a little before 6 p.m. Partially
into the process the wind picked up significantly on the ground, and the
balloons had to be deflated. After about a half-hour, the wind calmed again, and
the pilots gave it another try. This time everything went well, and in just a
few minutes Ireland was floating through the sky. His ascension took him over
the Walmart parking lot and store, and in a south-easterly direction. As he
floated away, those on the ground hollered and cheered while Ireland happily
gave them a wave and away he went.
Soon after his two buddies, Phelan and Reusch were in the air as well, and the
three floated off into the distance together.
All three of these pilots will be back in the air for the Lincoln Balloon
Festival weekend. Ireland flying Sunglow; Reusch in Knot Again; and Phelan will
be in his balloon, The Little One.
[Nila Smith]
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