David Bowling Pilot
Once upon a time, before cell phones, the mobile two-way frequency my airplane charter company shared with a real estate company was alive with talk about a hot air balloon (the second in Colorado). Entering the conversation, I told the other person, as an airplane pilot I would be interested in his “new toy”. The invitation for the following weekend began a new life of aviation adventures flying balloon sightseeing flights (2000+) and contracts for multiple companies including 1st State Banks, Conoco Oil and Kellogg’s Tony Tiger, which led me to my wife (but that’s another story). The joy and fun is spread through talks to schools, service clubs and teaching others the art of aerostation.
“Which is best”, I am asked. Both…. The airplane world is truly different. Hours flown were for Civil Air Patrol search and rescue, radio station traffic reporting and airplane buying, selling and repossessing (the stories I could tell).
The airplane business led me to ballooning which in turn offered the end to bachelorhood. There is no such thing as a coincidence.