Update
Still looking goodFrom Sam Canders- "The basket we are flying in is only 3' x 4' but ... Tuesday, 8 September 2009 READMORE |
Going for the LeadUSA Team 3 is in position to take the lead after some strategic moves towards ... Monday, 7 September 2009 READMORE |
Launched!USA Team 3 launched at 2305 on Saturday, 5 September 2009, as part of the ... Sunday, 6 September 2009 READMORE |
TEAM USA 3 Pilot Makes PledgeTeam USA 3 Pilot Sam Canders has made a personal pledge to Healthcare Charities and the ... Tuesday, 1 September 2009 READMORE |
Healthcare Charities PartnershipTheMiracleBalloon.org Team has formed a partnership with Healthcare Charities! Healthcare Charities is the lead sponsor for the Children's ... Tuesday, 1 September 2009 READMORE |
SponsorshipSponsorship is still being sought for TEAM USA3 to compete in the The 53rd Coupe ... Tuesday, 18 August 2009 READMORE |
Countdown to GenevaFinal preparations are being made for Team USA 3 to meet in Geneva! The T... Tuesday, 18 August 2009 READMORE |
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| The Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett |
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The Miracle Balloon is proud to announce that they will be sponsoring Team USA 3 in The 53rd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett in Geneva, Switzerland this September 4th to the 12th.
The Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett is the oldest and most prestigious aviation race in the world and dates back to 1906. Countries from around the world send their best Balloon Pilots to compete in this glorious event. The rules couldn't be any easier: fly the farthest distance to win the cup!
Follow along on the events website for updated tracks of the balloons!
TEAM USA 3
The Balloon
The Pilots
Pilot, Feather Air Andy is a retired United States Army Chief Warrant Officer. He spent the majority of his time in the Army flying helicopters for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He currently owns his own hot air balloon ride company, Feather Air, outside of Savannah, Georgia. Andy holds several world records for hot air ballooning and is a regular competitor in national and international gas ballooning competitions.
Pilot Sam is a professional pilot and amateur balloonist. Sam joined Andy in January of 2007 in an attempt to break a world record for gas balloons. The flight ended after 63 hours of being aloft and covering over 1300 miles. They fell well short of the world record but had a great experience! Sam is also a member of the Rhode Island Air National Guard where he serves as a C130J Tactical Air Lift Pilot.
The Crew
LEAD CHASE, GERMAN INTERPRETER Matthew "Moses" Malone English Teacher, Logos Language Bamberg, Germany
CHASE CREW, SPANISH INTERPRETER Richard Castillo Physicist and Mechanical Engineer, CB Industries New York, New York
Thomas Hussey US Army Aviation Officer, OH-58D Helicopter Pilot Washington D.C.
CHASE CREW, FRENCH INTERPRETER Amy O'Donnell Registered Nurse Portland, Maine
Don Day, Jr Meteorologist, DayWeather, Inc Don is a professional meteorologist, and owner of DayWeather, Inc. a professional weather forecasting and consulting firm. Don is also a private rated hot air balloon pilot. Don has been forecasting for balloon races, record setting attempts, national and international competitions such as the Gordon Bennett and America’s Challenge races. Donald has consulted on several balloon and fixed wing record attempts across the Atlantic and special balloon related projects in North and South America.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT Bert Padelt Balloon Pilot, Balloon System Designer and Builder, "Best" Aviation Services, LLC Bert Padelt holds a wealth of ballooning knowledge. He has served as a Team Member and as Launch Director for several World Record Balloon Flights, to include Steve Fossett's First Solo Flight Around the Flight in 2002. Bert will be working with Don Day to help predict balloon performance throughout the competition. |
Andy Cayton
Sam Canders
CHASE CREW, ENGLISH INTERPRETER 
WEATHER FORECASTING