Don't knock the ground 'slalom race' it's harder than you'd expect!!

I remeber being the guy who launched the balloons for the ballon pop. being on the other side of teh flight line (other side of teh field!) You get a different perspective. I was amazed that the two SEs going after the balloon were actually about 5-10 feet in front of it! The pilot's depth persception was off, like all of us..

Oh, and when you buy the ballons for the event; I usually go to the local 'party store' and have them filled right there. Tell them to leave off the ribbons, as the typical ribbons are very strong, and will foul a prop causing a dead stick.

Get some with ribbons for the kiddies!