The Ron Paul Air Corps heads to NH

[roversaurus]

put out press release

That you plan to use the balloon for Get Out The Vote efforts.

The other campaigns send cars to pick you up. Ron Paul supporters
send hot air balloons.

 

[francisco]

A balloon basket. In January. In New Hampshire.

Bring a lot of warm clothes.

Please don't tell me we are going to start seeing naysaying posts here, too.

I'm taking a deep breath and assuming for the moment that your comment is lighthearted. Please tell me this is so!

 

[ctblnpilot]

RP Balloon

ctblnpilot,

Thanks for the info.

I have a germ of an idea:

Suppose there was a baloon pilot who needed a new envelope. How much of a financial inducement would it possibly take to convince him to incorporate a big "Ron Paul" in the design? After all, the balloon is his to keep.

Alternatively, is it feasible for a balloon to carry a large banner, either on the balloon itself, or carried under the basket? The latter might be cheap and easy to make. I'm thinking weights on bottom and lightweight stiffening rods could keep it taut and straight. I'm reasoning that it could be kept to equivalent weight of a passenger.

The cheapest way to go would be to buy a nice patriotic RWB color balloon with white stars on the blue and a Velcro perimeter sewn on in several places to attach the Ron Paul message. In this way the balloon could easily be resold after the campaign.

I would consider doing something like that but time is short. It takes a few weeks to build a new one. I have a friend that might sell his used red and blue balloon.

The most expensive part of an advertising contract remains the actual flying and traveling but compared to a project like the blimp the costs are minimal.

 

[ctblnpilot]

Please don't tell me we are going to start seeing naysaying posts here, too.

I'm taking a deep breath and assuming for the moment that your comment is lighthearted. Please tell me this is so!

Actually it's no colder than standing around on the ground for an hour or so. The feet do get cold from standing around. Good boots are a must.

 

[francisco]

The cheapest way to go would be to buy a nice patriotic RWB color balloon with white stars on the blue and a velcro perimiter sewn on in several places to attach the Ron Paul message. In this way the balloon could easily be resold after the campaign.

I would consider doing something like that but time is short. I have a friend that might sell his red and blue balloon.

The most expensive part of an advertising contract remains the actual flying and traveling but compared to a project like the blimp the costs are minimal.

I'm not in a financial position to underwrite myself the purchase of a balloon for later resale, but perhaps this thread might generate some interest by others, or for a chip-in.

Is the banner you showed in photo carried under your basket? If not, is a banner carried underneath feasible? Another idea I had was to affix letters made from lightweight sailcloth to a background made of cheap bird netting; this would reduce weight and influence of wind on the banner. In the sky the background would appear invisible. Letters could have contrasting outline to improve visibility.

 

[Quantumystic]

Now all we need is IronMan to do a few fly-overs trailing a Ron Paul banner!

 

[ctblnpilot]

I'm not in a financial position to underwrite myself the purchase of a balloon for later resale, but perhaps this thread might generate some interest by others, or for a chip-in.

Is the banner you showed in photo carried under your basket? If not, is a banner carried underneath feasible? Another idea I had was to affix letters made from lightweight sailcloth to a background made of cheap bird netting; this would reduce weight and influence of wind on the banner. In the sky the background would appear invisible. Letters could have contrasting outline to improve visibility.

The banner that's pictured on my trailer (It was too windy to put the balloon up that day) is about 8' x 25' and gets attached to the envelope just below the equator. Right now it gets pinned on but the ideal way to fasten it is to use 2'' velcro around the border.

Banners are usually made out of ripstop nylon and that's plenty strong. Even the blimp uses nylon fabric material with a webbing reinforcement around the edge that the bungee cords attach to.

 

[francisco]

The banner that's pictured on my trailer (It was too windy to put the balloon up that day) is about 8' x 25' and gets attached to the envelope just below the equator. Right now it gets pinned on but the ideal way to fasten it is to use 2'' velcro around the border.

Banners are usually made out of ripstop nylon and that's plenty strong. Even the blimp uses nylon fabric material with a webbing reinforcement around the edge that the bungee cords attach to.

Thanks for the insights into hot air balloons. I used to fly sailplanes but never learned much about balloons (except to give them right-of-way!)

Sounds like your banner accomplishes what I had in mind.

 

[ctblnpilot]

Thanks for the insights into hot air balloons. I used to fly sailplanes but never learned much about balloons (except to give them right-of-way!)

Sounds like your banner accomplishes what I had in mind.

No kidding, I used to own a S 1-26 out of Wtby CT. Great fun. The guy that signed me off flew for the Luftwaffe. Between the wars, German pilots learned on gliders because they weren't allowed to have much of an air force.


I'd love to do more for Ron Paul with the balloon but money is a little tight right now. We're forgoing our end of year "someplace warm" mini vacation to donate to the campaign and will be spending the time in NH.

A good showing in NH is critical, IMO.

 

[OferNave]

I'd love to do more for Ron Paul with the balloon but money is a little tight right now. We're forgoing our end of year "someplace warm" mini vacation to donate to the campaign and will be spending the time in NH.

Yup. I'm burning through large portions of my life savings like a mad man. But it's 'good' pain.

 

[whutaboutbob]

Thank you!

 

[Ibgamer]

Where have you flown before pilot?

 

[ctblnpilot]

Thank you!

No thanks necessary my friend, we're all doing what we can. Actually I've gotten more thanks than many people. I got to shake his hand and he signed my constitution at a GOP picnic this summer.

I'm hoping we can put together a new years eve party up there for the volunteers. I'm still looking for a venue. I wonder if we can rent a hanger at the Concord Airport?

 

[ctblnpilot]

Where have you flown before pilot?

Mostly New York and New England. Also NC and ABQ NM

 

[francisco]

No kidding, I used to own a S 1-26 out of Wtby CT. Great fun. The guy that signed me off flew for the Luftwaffe.

Now that's an amazing coincidence, because I was also signed off by an ex-Luftwaffe pilot! He flew Stork reconnaissance planes as a teenager in WWII. I doubt it was the same guy because I learned to fly gliders in Wisconsin. He was a really great instructor and loved flying; one memorable training flight he taught me how to do hammerheads!

I loved the 1-26 because it flew so precisely without being squirrelly like some higher-performance gliders.

 

[Geronimo]

Calling all local NH freedom fighters. We need some intel and ground support. We are seeking launch locations and flight path ideas for the banner flights and possible staged leaflet or supply drops to the boots on the ground.

My wife has a few days off coming to her and and we'd like to come up to NH with the Ron Paul Balloon next weekend Friday through Monday the 31st. We're looking to have some fun with the NH boots on the ground meetup volunteers and maybe fly some media folks. It would be great to have a caravan of supporters following the balloon on the ground as "chase crew".

Frank
Ron Paul Air Corps.

This sounds like a great idea. Have you contacted any of the NH meetup groups, or the operation live free or die people yet?

 

[ctblnpilot]

This sounds like a great idea. Have you contacted any of the NH meetup groups, or the operation live free or die people yet?

No but I need to get a hold of them pronto. The News Assignment Manager at WMUR-TV has just emailed me for more information. I offered their camera crew a ride in the Ron Paul Balloon next weekend.

 

[Geronimo]

Try getting in touch with the organizers from each group and I'm sure you'll have your support here in NH.

Operation Live Free or Die Meetup
Manchester NH Ron Paul 2008 Meetup
The Nashua Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group
Ron Paul for President - HQNH
The Lowell Ron Paul 2008 Meetup

 

[gcnlive.com]

Ron Paul Air Corps

We have just organized and would like to fly NH see if your meet up groups would like to sponsor it.

www.ronpaulaircorps.com

Thanks

Ted Anderson
[email protected]
Genesis Communications Network Inc.

 

[ctblnpilot]

Lets go for it NH

Lets go for it NH

The weather looks good for a balloon banner flight Friday morning and possibly something in the afternoon as well. We need a high vis launch site at least 5 miles E /SE from Manchester airport (Derry?), 100' x 100' with no power lines nearby, some volunteer set up crew and permission from the land owner and a reasonable motel nearby for us, arriving Thursday night. WMUR-TV has contacted me. Lets make this happen if we possibly can.
Frank
Ron Paul Balloon Team