Forest Park Balloon Race Program 2018

16 The Great Forest Park Balloon Race • Presented by PNC Bank Yost Award Race Organizers Win Prestigious Balloonist Award WHEN THE ORGANIZERS OF THE RACE EARNED their balloon pilot’s license in the early 1970s, they were among the pioneers of this exciting new sport. A new type of balloon had been invented, one that made modern ballooning possible. The sport would soon capture the country’s imagination and thousands of pilots would take to the air with their colorful, awe-inspiring airships. Little did the “Fab Four” suspect that they would still be flying more than 40 years later —and be recognized as among the sport’s founders. In September 2014, John Marlow, Ted Staley, Dan Schettler and John Schaumberg received the Ed Yost Award as “Master Pilots” from the Balloon Federation of America (BFA). The award recognizes balloon pilots who have “maintained safe flight operations for 40 or more years.” There were only 19 other pilots recognized as such when the St. Louis pilots were honored. The award is named for Ed Yost, inventor of the modern hot air balloon. Yost in 1960 made the first free flight of a modern hot air balloon, one that he designed for the U.S. Navy. Two years later, the first balloon was sold to a private individual and the sport was born. The honor was made possible through the efforts of another balloon pioneer, Chesterfield-based pilot David Rapp. Rapp, 75, is a retired Federal Aviation Administration Flight Examiner and former board member of the BFA. Rapp, who has flown at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race for 30-plus years, has flown balloons around the world, but finds the Race to be unique for many reasons. “It’s flown in an urban setting, with lots of trees, so you have to be a pretty good pilot to navigate,” he said. “It’s really a showcase for the sport of ballooning and the city of St. Louis.” 2018-2019 season September 18-30 November 7-25 April 23 – May 5 May 14-26 March 26 – April 7 December 26 – January 6 Jan. 29 – Feb. 10 ©Disney subscribe to the 7-show package & you can swap for one of these specials: 7-show season ticket package! December 6-9 December 22-23 February 22-24 March 1-3 March 5-10 October 5-7 December 11-16 March 12-17 7 SHOW SEASON TICKET PACKAGE! 314-535-1700 • FabulousFox.com ALL SHOWS NOW ON SALE! 314-534-1111 • MetroTix.com