Fall is official in Albuquerque

[McClef]

I wondered if there has been a sudden increase of hot dogs and jumping frogs...

[tundramanq]

Looking at the cost of balloons for the idea of the kilted piper special shape balloon.
While the conventional tear drop shapes are in the $20K-90K range depending on size, the special shapes run $90K to 250K due to construction complexity and having to get every one individually FAA certified.
I can see why few private special shapes are around. Here, they would be competing with our kilt budgets. With few exceptions, all the kilt makers are small businesses that would be really strained to sponser a "billboard" of this size. Actual operation is dirt cheap but shipping it and the non-volunteer crew around to the events worldwide could add up. Most of the crew to handle the balloon are volunteers local and people who spend their vacation time ballooning.

Thinking tartans - at the national or international level clan sponsorship is possible?
The pipers organizations?
A generic or Spirit of Scotland tartan could work for putting all Scots, kilt wearers and pipers in the donation pool.
With a $1 a year donation from that large of a base - purchase, operation and replacement balloons (they have a service life) is easily possible.

BTW - I am not a pilot and my experiance is limited to volunteer chase crew for a couple of years at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiestas.
Lot's of fun for all!

[mookien]

Chuck: Thanks for the brief summary of hot-air balloon economics. I had no idea they were so cheap!

Looks like I'll have to stick with the helium balloons on a stick from Wal-Mart, ... if they can find enough helium.

Your idea of wealthy clan sponsorship might work, if you can find one with the the requisite interest and enthusiasm. Is there a Clan MacRothschild? Maybe my favorite Scottish restaurant would sponsor one - MacDonalds.

As for getting a large pool of independent-minded, stubborn, frugal Scots to agree on a plan, forget it. They would argue it to death. Maybe a small hot-air balloon tax could be added to every purchase of Scottish attire.

BTW - as you have probably surmised by now, I know nothing about hot-air balloons, ... but I have a lot of hot air to offer.

John

[tundramanq]

Are you suggesting that if enough Scots are in the gondola, we could say aloft for days without burning any propane?
I resemble that remark!

[mookien]

Are you suggesting that if enough Scots are in the gondola, we could say aloft for days without burning any propane?
I resemble that remark!

Yes, especially after consuming those aforementioned hot tamales and jumping beans.

[mookien]

I wondered if there has been a sudden increase of hot dogs and jumping frogs...

In New Mexico it would be hot tamales and jumping beans.

[McClef]

In New Mexico it would be hot tamales and jumping beans.

Better tell that to Prefab Sprout!

[mookien]

Better tell that to Prefab Sprout!

Sorry to be so impenetrably dense, but to whom? I must have lost the thread. It wouldn't be the first time.

[McClef]

It's a classic!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kin...k_%27n%27_Roll

and you can see the vid and hear the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdWS_XfOjM

Ring any bells now?

[mookien]

... Ring any bells now?

Thank you. Now I get it. I'm pretty culturally deprived you know. I loved the "British Invasion", but somehow I missed "Prefab Sprout" - probably thought they were a manufactured French legume group. But now I have a great new trivia question.

I watched a lot of MTV videos in the early to late '80s - thought they were a great artistic medium. But, when MTV started showing "Remote Control", I left the network and never looked back. As soon as I could, I programmed it out of my "remote control".