Suncatcher

N32883
Firefly 8B-15
90000 cubic feet
Stands 7 stories high

Pilot: Dan McCormick
Crew Chief: Debbie McCormick
Chase Dogs: Zeek & Chase

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
- Leonardo da Vinci

My wife Debbie and I became involved in ballooning in 2007. I surprised her with a ride for her birthday. She had been wanting to try it for some time and after missing an opportunity while on a trip to California, I decided to make it happen here at home. Of course I wasn't a total nice guy about it; I parked in front of the skydiving sign at the airport and almost gave her a heart attack. The flight was great and we quickly made friends with Mike and Mindi Gliatti the operators of Bella Balloons. We signed up as chase crew and found it to be the perfect husband/wife activity.

I was perfectly content being a crew chief, but then Mike suggested I try becoming a pilot. I never thought the word "pilot" would ever be used in conjunction with my name. I started thinking about it though because retirement from my law enforcement career is coming up and I was looking for something new to do. With my background, I was thinking Homeland Security or Emergency Management; but something different, something that didn't involve death and dying and crisis was enticing, except unfortunately responding to that stuff is what I'm good at. The deciding factor came one night in a burst of violence. There was a double homicide in a neighboring jurisdiction and the officer there was all alone so I responded. Sparing you the details it was a bloodbath and we had no choice but walk through it to clear the building and ensure the shooter was not there. It wasn't my first, wasn't even the worst I'd seen but that morning as I watched the sunrise while washing blood off my boots and pants cuffs I decided I'd rather spend retirement flying.  

I found Suncatcher for sale on the internet. A gentleman by the name James Aller was retiring from the sport and he made me a great deal because he wanted the balloon to go to someone who would appreciate it. I hope he knows how much I appreciate his genorosity. The minute we saw the balloon, Deb and I knew it was for us. It is a unique and beautiful design. Flying in a balloon is like I've never experienced. Peaceful, calm, quiet, floating like a cloud. A true pleasure. If you haven't tried it, you owe it to yourself. Come on out some morning or evening and join the ranks of the Aeronauts.

Dan McCormick