From Ann Mort
Lindy will be floating overhead at the MidUSA Ohio Challenge this summer. Lindy is an Ambassador of Ballooning around the world built by Lindstrand Balloons USA. While Lindy doesn’t say much, he thinks ballooning is cool and gives it a thumbs up! Lindy is pretty cool himself in spite of his 90,000 cubic feet of hot air. He even has his own Facebook fan page.
Lindy’s traveling companion/pilot is Scott McClinton from Prospect, Kentucky. He began crewing for balloons in 1977 and earned his pilot certification in 1988. By 1996 he had opened his own SkyCab Balloon Promotions full service hot air balloon company in Louisville. He and his crew operate seven commercial balloons, three special shapes and two ride balloons.
McCLinton has flown balloons in 38 states and 5 countries while logging over 1,700 hours in balloons. In addition to hot air balloons, McClinton has also earned his gas balloon rating. His most memorable flight came in 2002 flying his special shape Soccer Ball over the Continental Divide in Colorado at an altitude above 18,000 feet in -30 degree temperatures.
McClinton first flew in Middletown during the U.S. National Championships, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors, and has returned nine times to fly in the MidUSA Ohio Challenge event winning the Challenge in 2007 while flying another special shape balloon, the American Rocket.
Maria Langendorf, chairperson of the Challenge said, “It has become tradition with the MidUSA Ohio Challenge to present one or more special shape hot air balloons each year. Past years’ flights have included the Purple People Eater, Soccer Ball, Football, Rocket, Old McDonald’s Farm and several others. We know the special shapes are particularly popular with young and old alike.”
The MidUSA Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival will be at Smith Park in downtown Middletown on Friday and Saturday evenings, July 13 & 14 from 4 to 10:30 pm; and Saturday and Sunday mornings July 14 & 15 from 7 to 11 am. Parking will be available with shuttle service via the airport entrance at 1800 Germantown Road, Middletown. The cost is $10 per carload which includes parking, shuttle and admission for all occupants. Walk-in admission is $4 per adult. Children 12 and under are free with adult. For full information:info@ohiochallenge.com, www.midusaohiochallenge.com, or 513-705-1770.