Category: Build Reports

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HAWK All Members Meeting – February 15, 2025, at 12:00PM Noon

HAWK Aviators www.hawkaviators.org
HAWK Aviators
www.hawkaviators.org

Dear HAWK Members,

I am writing to cordially invite you to our upcoming annual ALL Members Meeting, scheduled for Saturday February 15, 2025, at 12:00PM noon. This is an important meeting, as we will be addressing several key items:

  1.     Election of Officers: We will hold elections for officers. Current officers are eligible for reelection, and we encourage members interested in leadership roles to consider running for a position.
  2.     Presentation on Current and Future Events: We will share detailed plans for upcoming events, which will include our annual Oshkosh Air Venture trip, community outreach programs and educational sessions. Your input during this session is invaluable as we shape our activities for the year ahead.
  3.     Discussion on Fleet Upgrade: A significant agenda item will be the discussion on replacing our current Piper Cherokee. We will present several key items and considerations for this upgrade, aiming to enhance our capabilities, continue our training program, maintenance program and safety standards.
  4.     Financial Review: We will also discuss our financial status, including a review of the past year’s expenditures, current financial health, and projections for the coming year. This is your opportunity to understand our financial strategies and contribute to our fiscal planning.

The meeting will commence at 12:00PM and is expected to conclude by 1:00PM. Please be punctual to ensure we can address all points on the agenda:
Location:
Mack Mesa Airport – HAWK Hanger
1048 R Road, Mack CO 81525

  • Agenda:
  •     Welcome and Opening Remarks
  •     Officer Elections
  •     Future Events Presentation
  •     Piper Cherokee Replacement Discussion
  •     Financial Review
  •     Open Forum for Member Input
  •     Closing Remarks

Any questions, you may contact any board member or President Bruce Erickson at 19702503629.
Your participation is crucial, and we look forward to your contributions to our organization’s future.

Yours very truly,

HAWK Secretary Erik Cornelison 1-970-250-4228

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Hot Air Balloon Introduction

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Inflating the balloon. The envelope is pulled toward the crown line Resistance on the crown line aids inflation. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflating the balloon.
The envelope is pulled toward the crown line
Resistance on the crown line aids inflation.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
On our latest educational outing, the HAWK Youth Aviation Group introduced our young members to the world of hot air ballooning, expanding their knowledge beyond fixed-wing aircraft, motor gliders and FAA ground school and flight training.

Under the guidance of our experienced mentors, the youth participants were actively involved in:

  • Laying out the Balloon: The team carefully spread the balloon on the ground, preparing for inflation.
  • Inspection: each member learned how to inspect the balloon for safety, identifying key components and checking for any potential issues.
  • Safety Education: We covered essential safety aspects of ballooning, including crewing responsibilities and emergency procedures.
  • Cold Inflation: The group practiced cold inflating the balloon, followed by detailed inspection of the parachute top, ensuring it was correctly installed and operational.
  • Turning Vents: Instructions on how to manage the turning vents were given, teaching control over the balloon descent and landing procedures.
  • Inflation and Burner Operation: With the balloon fully inflated, several kids had the opportunity to operate the hot air balloon burner under strict supervision, experiencing firsthand the mechanics of balloon operation.

Parents and adult volunteers were integral to the success of the day, assisting with the inflation process and providing additional guidance.

This event not only served as a practical introduction to hot air ballooning but also reinforced the importance of teamwork, safety, and hands-on-learning with aviation.

According to Google, the average annual salary of a hot air balloon pilot in 2024 is $130,000.
Hot Air Balloon Introduction

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Checking layout prior to inflation Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Checking layout prior to inflation
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Readying for inflation Note tie-off rope to van Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Readying for inflation
Note tie-off rope to van
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Holding the throat open. This allows the fan to fill the envelope with cold air. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Holding the throat open. This allows the fan to fill the envelope with cold air.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Luke and Britan fixing tangled vent line cables Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Luke and Britan fixing tangled vent line cables
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Tabbing in the top while others inspect and hold the crown line. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Tabbing in the top while others inspect and hold the crown line.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Hot Air Balloon Introduction: Note, the crown line is held close, so as not cross the runway (Never loop the rope around any body parts) Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Note, the crown line is held close, so as not cross the runway (Never loop the rope around any body parts)
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partial inflation - tabs are in place Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partial inflation – tabs are in place
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partially cold inflated - Short crown line to allow passage. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Partially cold inflated – Short crown line to allow passage.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflated balloon, pulled toward the crown line Resistance on the crown line keeps the envelope from swinging through the flame during inflation. Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Inflated balloon, pulled toward the crown line
Resistance on the crown line keeps the envelope from swinging through the flame during inflation.
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
The HAWK balloon crew Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
The HAWK balloon crew
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the envelope Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the envelope
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Bagging the last of the envelope and shaking the bag Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer
Bagging the last of the envelope and shaking the bag
Courtesy & Copyright Erik Cornelison, Photographer

Hot Air Balloon Introduction
Balloon Flying Handbook, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2008, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-11.pdf
Balloon Flying Handbook Addendum, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2016, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/balloon_flying_hb_addendum.pdf

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HAWK Christmas Lights


HAWK balloon glow at 26 & H Roads in Grand Junction, CO where Christmas light viewer traffic was streaming by, and stopping to watch. The balloons belong to Erik Cornelison. HAWK students and mentors assisted as crew.