AEROMEDIA
The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)

Balloon Meeting 2006 at Mondově

The “18th International Balloon Meeting of Epiphany” was held, Januay 5-8, 2006, in the Italian town of Mondově near Cuneo. As usual, the event was organized by John Aimo, President of Aero Club Mongolfiere di Mondově, and backed by the Municipal Administration and various local sponsors.
The 2006 Meeting was characterized by five different competitions, essentially based on precision flight. About thirty balloons took part in the event, with the spectacular participation of the 40-meter high special form “Scotsman with pipe”, piloted by Muir Moffat from the United Kingdom. The world champion Uwe Schneider of Germany was also present with his new Cameron TR-70. The Americas took part in the meeting with James Rogina of Alaska, flying his small homebuilt balloon, and Mrs.Tucker Comstock of Costarica. The only other woman pilot racing at Mondově was Marija Miklousic of Croatia, the winner of the previous edition of the Meeting.
Among the number of colorful balloons present at Mondově (see the list), it’s worthy of mention the British Gas’ “Flame-95” model, a “special form” manufacutured by Cameron. Switzerland was well represented by Florent Jobin with his Cameron A-120 “Chateau-d’Oex”, the name of the Swiss location which every year hosts another popular balloon meeting. One sleek balloon was painted with an eye-catching advertisement for a popular line of underwear for young ladies.
The 2006 Meeting was also characterized by the “on site” wedding of Paolo Bonanno, a pioneer of the Italian lighter-than-air movement, well known as manufacturer of world-renowned burners for balloons. After the ceremony, Mrs. and Mr. Bonanno took off with their glorious Bonanno X-8, the first home-made balloon in Italy, built long ago in 1983.

In the picture: Balloons over Mondově, Italy, for the 18th International Balloon Meeting of Epiphany. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, January 2006)