[balloon-makers] Skinny T Intro.

["Tim Baggett" <private e-mail address>]

Since Tom asked for everyone to introduce themselves, here's mine:

I am a skinny nerd electrical engineer, and crew member for Phil
MacNutt. I have fun offering a hand in Phil's many ballooning projects,
provide my two cents in construction ideas, and drink his beer. I am
next to useless as weight for the max gross weight tests. When needed, I
also help convince Phil that it's OK to have a solid pink balloon with a
single yellow gore.

I have been in ballooning since 1995 when I was in college in New
Mexico. Soon after, I moved to Austin, TX where I met Phil and
immediatly got interested in the technical aspects of ballooning. I've
provided labor for building of two balloon envelopes, two altitude
flights, and currently one balloon basket and gas envelope. Basically,
anything that is new or interesting that keeps the mind active and
creative.

Although I am not a pilot, I do hold an expired stunt pilot's license
(that's what Sid Cutter called it when he signed it...) It seems,
however, that we hardly fly around Austin anymore, so I usually travel
with Phil to Albuquerque or to Post Mills Vermont for real flying.

In closing, I'll suggest to the home builders out there to get your
crews involved if possible and if they are interested. By understanding
some of the balloon construction, they will become a better crew by
understanding the operational details of the equipment, rather than just
how to rig the balloon. In my case, I also feel it's allowed me to
understand and respect the various design strengths and weaknesses of
the different commercial balloon brands.

I'll let Phil give his own intro regarding his fleet of balloons and
homebrew equipment.

Tim, aka Skinny T
AA5DF





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