THOM ZINSER

I attended my first balloon rally in 1985 in Virginia (with Janet), moved to Colorado in 1986 and started going to the Colorado Springs Rally in 1987.  My first trip to Albuquerque was in 1991.

I started crewing for Gery deKoevend in Albuquerque in 1994.  After Albuquerque, I continued crewing for Gery at Chatfield, and went to Montrose and Albuquerque several times with him as his crew chief. I joined the CBC in 1996.  I loved crewing, did not plan on becoming a pilot, but I took a couple of lessons in late 1998, and a couple more in 1999.  In 2000 I decide (with Janet’s urging) that it was time to get serious about getting my ticket. So Janet and I bought our balloon (JD’s Dream) in March 2000 and Gery started giving me the benefit of his wisdom and experience on a regular basis.  Gery put me through my paces with some maneuvers that I thought would kill me, but found out that they made me a better pilot. My first solo was in June of 2000.  I took my check ride on September 1, 2000 in Colorado Springs with Rich Hagar.  I was very nervous during the orals and the check ride, but Gery’s training paid off and I passed (whew!).  

I became President Elect of the Colorado Balloon Club in 2001 and President in 2002.  I’m looking forward to many more years of flying and club involvement