Dawn Patrol

Steve Turner, Jeanne Anson, Ken O'Connor, Dana Thornton and Larry Houska

Dawn Patrol. At 5:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, these very special balloons rise into the pre-dawn sky like glowing giants. In case you've never seen Dawn Patrol, here's some information that should be helpful. Don't miss it !! There are only a handful of pilots worldwide qualified to fly a Dawn Patrol balloon. Navigating a balloon in the dark is a dangerous and tedious task. Pilots must concentrate very closely on their flying and rely heavily on their instruments. Before sunrise, wind shears or sudden wind directional changes can only be detected by a difference in temperature or smell. Power poles and other landmarks are nearly invisible, and city lights which appear to be miles away in the early morning light are actually very near.