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First Flight
of 2009
Diane's New Balloon!
First Flight
in America Anniversary
Santa Claus is flying through town!
Letchworth 2006
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We offer
year round balloon flights in the historic area of Deptford Township,
New Jersey. We are also offering
rides in Chester County, PA. We currently moved to PA. We will continue
to fly in Deptford, New Jersey.
Deptford Township’s ballooning history is unique. In 1793 the first
manned balloon in America landed in what is today Deptford Township. It
was flown by a gentleman by the name of Jean Pierre Blanchard the noted
French aeronaut and it was launched in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On a
cold morning in January 1793 the balloon lifted off from a prison in
Philadelphia around 10 am in the morning in front of many dignitaries of
the time including George Washington, and landed safely 46 minutes
later. There is a plaque celebrating this great feat still there today.
Travel around Deptford after your flight and notice balloons on street
signs and also the water tower near the Deptford mall.
Harry flew the banner for the Deptford
Police Department for community relations for 6 years. His balloon was
called the First and Finest. He stopped carrying the banner December
2004. His balloon is not associated with the Deptford Police Department
in any way.
We are always on the look out for new
crew. Come out and have fun! If you are interested, please contact
us. 484-786-8627 or
FirstandFinest98@aol.com. |

Home Flight |
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Quick Chek Festival - July 2008 - Harry was the pilot for the
barn
Harry & Diane

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We fly
our balloons mainly on weekends with flights twice daily, weather
permitting. Our main launch site is Gloucester County College with
alternate sites further south in case the wind direction is a concern.
The college is conveniently located off of major routes 55, 42 and the
Delsea Drive in Gloucester County New Jersey. Precise directions are
available upon request. |

Our usual
launch times are at sunrise and about two hours before sunset as this is
the calmest time of the day. Balloons do not fly in the middle of the
day due to wind speeds and thermals. It is mandatory to meet the balloon
crew about a half an hour before launch time for a procedural and safety
briefing plus setting up the balloons at our desired location. We
usually fly with one other balloon so it’s usually more interesting and
picture taking is encouraged. We recommend bookings in advance to
ensure a spot on our list. However, last minute flights can and will
happen depending on circumstances. We start looking at flying on any
given weekend around Wednesday and Thursday and usually have a good idea
if it’s going to be favorable for a balloon flight on the coming weekend
by Friday. |

Crime
prevention day, Harry plays with the big boys. |
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Nest Landing |

Our
flights generally last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and sometimes
longer depending on direction of travel, landing sites and wind speed.
We fly as fast as the wind does and our height is sometimes treetop
level or up to a couple thousand feet depending on our passengers. As
any outdoor activity it is appropriate to dress for the occasion.
Recommendations are closed toe sturdy shoes, no dresses or shorts, light
long pants, comfortable shirt or jacket depending on the time of year.
We never know where we are going to land prior to launch so we need to
be prepared. |

Your
pilot is Harry Collison FAA licensed pilot with many years of
experience. Diane has been a student for 8 years she flies with Harry as
his Co-Pilot. Our balloons are maintained and inspected with safety in
mind. The balloons are subjected to annual inspections by a FAA mandated
balloon repair station and will not fly unless
they have a current inspection. Harry & Diane are members of The
Great Eastern Balloon Association & Balloon Federation of America. |

Balloons
do not fly in rain, fog , snow or wind above 7 mph. These and many other
conditions can affect the decision to fly or not to fly and are
considered to ensure a safe flight to all. The decisions will be made by
the Pilot in Command and all decisions are final.

Please
feel free to contact us as we truly look forward to sharing a wonderful
experience with you and whoever flies with you. More information is
available by contacting Harry Collison. It can be mailed to your home or
can hopefully be answered over the phone.
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Splash &
Dash

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2005 - 2006 Pin

2007 - 2008 Pin

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Gift Certificates are available
Prices
are $ 175.00 per passenger and includes a First Flight Certificate suitable
for framing and a collectible card plus champagne toast or non
alcoholic cider at the end of the flight. Passengers can join us
afterward for breakfast at different locations at their own expense.
Gift certificates are also available for special occasions such as
weddings, birthdays, or just because. We are also available for parties,
reunions and or other special days for tethers which will be explained
upon contact. The basket holds three passengers plus the pilot.
HOT AIR BALLOON SONG
Would you like to crew, for a chance at
the view in A Hot Air Balloon, A Hot Air Balloon. Early morning we rise
like the sun and at evening we rise like the moon. The ballooning
community has its own philosophy and teamwork is the name of the game.
We all work together, from envelope to tether and with nature, to see
our craft fly. Our captain will fly, way up into the sky to soon become
one with the wind. Gas burners do roar, with hot air for to soar over
natural, and humans designs. Now chase is loads of fun, cause we're out
there on the run. Till we locate where our crew has touched down. Then
chase and crew unite, to finalize our flight and with champagne, we
thank our gracious hosts. Then we're off to prepare, for our next time
in the air and to rest and celebrate the quest. The vision that we
share, grows stronger year by year and with wisdom, grows bright in our
mind's eye.
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2010 Event Schedule
June 18-19 /Balloons between the Brandywines - Embreeville, PA
http://www.ccballoonfest.com
July 9-11 /Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival -
Stowe, Vermont
http://Stoweflake.com/_pgid_257index.aspx
July 22-25 /Quick Chek Hot Air Balloon Festival -
Readington, NJ
http://www.balloonfestival.com
September 22-26 /Adirondack Hot Air Balloon
Festival Glens Falls, NY
http://www.adirondackballoonfest.org
Harry, Mark and Willie Nelson outside our hotel
room in Glens Falls |
Teri DiLibero...Thanks for building our site!
www.usflagballoon.com
Both balloons up together for the first time on 9/17/08 at Mark & Karen
Robertson in NY |
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Diane and friends
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Harry and friends
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Glens Falls
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Glens Falls Media Flight from 5000 Feet
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2008 Quick Chek Festival - Harry is Pilot on the Barn Balloon
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Letchworth Red White & Blue Festival
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Commercial Pilot & Owner: Harry Collison
Phone number: 484-786-8627
Email:
Firstandfinest98@aol.com
Email:
GuardianAngelLTA@aol.com
Co Pilot
& Owner: Diane Collison
Phone number: 484-786-8627
Email:
AlexisAngelLTA@aol.com
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www.usflagballoon.com
www.NJhotair.com
www.balloonbedandbreakfast.com
www.geocities.com/algriffin.geo/harry.htm
www.euronet.nl/jdewilde/index.html
http://www.KustomKards.com
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