Ray Winenger Wins Free Balloon Ride

Sun Lakes Aero Club (SLAC) member Ray Winenger was the lucky winner of a hot air balloon ride donated by Hot Air Expeditions at the club’s meeting April 19.

The free ride was presented by Mike England, a commercial hot air balloon pilot who was featured speaker at the SLAC meeting. A native of Charleston, Ill., England began flying balloons as a hobby in 1979 when he purchased a two-passenger balloon on an impulse. He brought the balloon with him when he moved to Arizona in 1994 and began flying commercially. He has compiled more than 5,000 hours as pilot in command.

England gave an interesting presentation about his experiences as a hot air balloon pilot and Federal Aviation Administration regulations dealing with hot air balloon flight.

Sun Lakes Aero Club member Ray Winenger (left) is pictured with Hot Air Expeditions professional balloon pilot Mike England at the club’s April 19 meeting. Winenger won the drawing for a free hot air balloon flight at the meeting. Photo by Gary Vacin.

SLAC meets the third Monday of the month from October through May in the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room beginning with refreshments and camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. The public is invited to all meetings. Additional information is available at the club’s web site, www.SunLakesAeroClub.org or by calling Bob Walch at 895-8869 or Al Galvi at 802-0104.

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