About Our Operation (Last
updates on March 02, 2008)
Our Balloons
Each ViewPoint Hot Air Balloon on our flight line is a certified and registered aircraft with the FAA. Each is maintained by an FAA Certified Repair Station for Hot Air Balloons and receives a detailed Annual Inspection of the entire balloon envelope and basket system each year. Prior to each flight the pilot and crew give the balloon a visual preflight inspection to ensure continued airworthiness on a flight-by-flight basis.
Our Pilot
Daryl Smith has been a licensed pilot sense 1973. He holds an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate in Single and Multi Engine Land Aircraft, Gliders and Hot Air Balloons. He is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Flight Instructor and Ground Instructor. Daryl has flow many different types of aircraft Commercially including Twin Engine Turboprops, Helicopters, Gliders and Jets, and has trained pilots in many these kinds of aircraft. Daryl is the past President of the Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society, is an active member in the BFA (Balloon Federation of America), and a member in the AOPA and EAA professional aviator associations.
Daryl attends a BFA & FAA sanctioned safety seminar each year for pilots and crewmembers, and teaches classes at many of the seminars he attends. He also participants in the FAA's "WINGS" program each year for continued pilot currency and safety.
Our Crewmembers
Each of our crewmembers that assists the pilot on the ground has been trained in the proper preflight procedures and handling of the balloon and it's equipment needed to get the balloon airborne and packed backed up after landing. Many of our crewmembers are pilots or are working on becoming a hot air balloon pilot. Each primary ground crewmember also attends a BFA sanctioned safety seminar once each year and participates in recurrent crewmember training through out the year.