Balloon Questions Answered :

Q :  How big is “Ear Force One” ?

A :  The balloon is approximately 113,000 cubic feet in volume. A good analogy would be, “If we turned Mickey up-side-down, it would take about 113,000 basketballs to fill him up”. The “Ears” are about 8,000 cubic feet each.

Q :  Where was the balloon built ?

A :  The balloon was built in February of 2006 by Cameron Balloons in Ann Arbor,  Michigan and shipped to Lighter Than Air America in March.

Q :  When did the balloon make its first flight ?

A :  The “Happiest Balloon On Earth” first took air and left the earth on the morning of March 22, 2006 in Pendleton, Oregon at Wildhorse Resort. The flight lasted a  little better than an hour and was captured on video from the ground and a  following helicopter. 

  Four pre-tour test flights were planned, but bad weather forced the team to settle on one flight. After that flight, the balloon and team moved immediately to stop  one on the tour, Tucson Arizona.

  Scott & Laurie Spencer were the pilots for that flight.

Q :  Tell me about the Grand Canyon Flight.

A :  The Grand Canyon flight operation was conducted on April 11, 2006 at 11:33 a.m. from a location called "Quartermaster" at Grand Canyon West, about 110  miles outside Las Vegas. 

  The team waited for weather for two days before getting the successful inflation and short hop. Helicopters were used to bring the equipment to a bluff in the Canyon about 4,600’ below Quartermaster and about 600’ above the Colorado  River. 

  Though several pilots have over flown the Grand Canyon and dropped below the rim, this flight operation was a “first” from the Canyon floor and would not have  been possible from the location without the extensive use of helicopters.

  Scott Spencer piloted the balloon assisted by Co-Pilot Bob Martinez. (making Martinez the only other pilot to ever operate the balloon in free-flight)  A select Lighter Than Air America crew was on-hand to tackle the logistics of the flight  operation.

Q :  Are there two balloons ?

A :  No. The “Happiest Balloon On Earth” was purpose built for its 14 stop tour during the 50th Anniversary celebration at Disneyland. This design was unique to previous incarnations of the famous balloon because Mickey appeared wearing the same “Golden Souvenir Cap” that guests at the park could purchase. 

  After the last stop on the tour, July 17, 2006 at Disneyland (the 51st Birthday of  that park) the balloon was returned to Cameron Balloons for removal of the  souvenir Gold Cap, a project we called “Back to Black”.
 
 

Q :  Where is the balloon based ? A :  The balloon is housed in Boise Idaho at the LTAA warehouse. Q :  Where is the balloon’s “Golden Cap” now ? A :  The gold “Souvenir Cap” that Mickey wore on the “HBOE” balloon tour is treated as a very special Disney artifact and is also kept at the Boise LTAA warehouse. Q :  How is the balloon transported to venues ? A :  That depends on the location.  During the tour, the system was moved in a Ford F-250 and trailer.

(Copy of original Disney Balloon Design)

Q :  How will the balloon be used in the future ?

A :  A flight made by “Ear Force One” is a very special and unique operation. Going into the future the balloon will always be kept in “ready For Flight” condition but don’t expect to see the balloon often.

  The balloon will be used for the promotion of the Disney Theme Parks on a global basis, as when and if it is requested, (as its primary mission) and for very  special “Disney” occasions.

  As one of the most popular balloon designs in the history of the sport and as the world’s best known character, many invitations are received for the balloon to  visit local festivals and balloon rally’s. Those invitations are reviewed by LTAA
and potential visit locations are then forwarded to Disney for consideration.

Saying Thanks To An Incredible Team

This is where we’d love to have all the guests to this page learn about the wonderful people we get to work with at the Walt Disney Company. For obvious reasons of privacy that just isn’t possible, and it’s a shame.

“These young people are exciting to be around, have vast knowledge of their business and are hard working dedicated individuals. They seem to love challenges as much as breathing and having the opportunity to work side by side with them is the most rewarding task I’ve had in my adult/professional life.

To a person, their personalities will warm your heart and make you feel like you’ve been best friends for a lifetime. Laurie and I cherish the all to brief of time spent during the 50th Anniversary Balloon Tour when our family was allowed to become part of their family as we lived and worked together for three months.

Working with these kids is an experience I will brag about forever”.

                                                                                                                      Scott Spencer
 

So, without further delay but with regret that most of you will never have a chance to meet these professionals, here they are, the “World’s Greatest Balloon Team”: