"I was skiing in Aspen, Colorado and saw two Hot Air Balloons
tethered on a rugby field and I just sat down in awe!" That's how Dr.
Bill Bussey describes his first encounter with hot air balloons. His second
came a few months later back home in Longivew, Texas when a fellow Texan
from nearby Tyler had his balloon on display at a local arts festival. Bill
was offered a 1/4 interest for $2,500. He quickly found another partner
to buy a 1/4 interest and then figured out that with their combined $5,000
they could almost buy a brand new balloon. In the Spring of 1978 Bussey
and three partners bought that new balloon. His investment was a mere $300
for a down payment and a $120 per month payment, an obligation he immediately
began to meet by selling rides, in those days for just $30. My how times
have changed!
Almost three decades later Bussey has logged over 3,000 hours flying
time in Hot Air Balloons and he has achieved success in every niche of the sport.
As a competitive pilot he has won 35 championships; has finished in the
top 3 in more than 100 events; is a perrenial top 10 competitor at the US
National Championships, and has represented the US in World competition
three times. As a commercial pilot he maintained a long-term relationship
with the Schlitz Brewing Company flying balloons that represented three
of their products, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee and Stroh's. As an instructor
he can count among his students his own brother Bruce who is a successful
commercial, sport and competition pilot in his own right. Since 1978, the
first month after he bought that first balloon, he has been selling adventure
flights. He is the founder of the Great Texas Balloon Race, held anually
in Longview and he is credited with the originating the twilight balloon
glow - a spectator pleasing staple at almost every balloon event in the
world.
Great Texas Balloon Race
In more recent years Bussey has turned his attention to Hot Ait Balloon World Records. His most recent attempt, SkyQuest 7 in late January, 2000 earned him his 30th US National Record and 15th World Record for distance flown and/or duration in flight. Other career ballooning highlights include:
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