Colin Graham
Hi all, my name is Colin and I’d like to start by personally thank
Nels Anderson for the chance to continue to be on this list, even
though I long ago hung up my flight-simming fun. At one time I owned
and operated “The Paint Works” & “The Scenery Works”
which survived for a few years during the late 90’s when I was a
teenager.Nels has allowed me to keep this updated and I just wanted to fill everyone in on what it is that I’m doing these days with my life. When I was a young child (3 yrs) I became absolutely obsessed with hot air balloons, which eventually fueled my thirst for fixed wing flight as well. I crewed on balloon teams all over the southeast region for many years until getting my student pilot certificate in 1999. In 2000 I bought my first balloon, a small two-man training balloon that I eventually put over 70 hours on. Due to the lack of balloon instructors in America it took me nearly two years to obtain my private pilot’s license, which I did in 2002.
Having so many student and solo hours I was able to go very soon for my commercial license and did so in October of 2002, not even staying private for 6 months. I also sold my first balloon and bought a ’99 Aerostar RX-8 and that put me into business flying passenger rides and advertising here in Roanoke, Virginia.
In 2003 alone we put 140 hours on the RX-8 and nearly 100 flights, which is amazing for our part of the country, weather wise. In early 2004 it became clear we needed an even larger balloon so we could increase profitability. Our company (endeavorballoon.com) sold the RX-8 and bought a 2003 Lindstrand 120A. It can carry 5 passengers and a pilot and this past year we have put about 110 hours on it.
This balloon has served us very well and we intend to keep it for a
very long time, probably until it dies out, which is usually around 500
to 600 hours TT.
On the other side of my life is traveling, and being a balloonist has really helped with this. As I write to you I’ve been across America 4 separate times and to Canada once. We’ve visited 43 states by driving through and flown in about 14 of those. I sincerely love this country of America and I’m probably one of the proudest Americans around, though that may not be saying much these days.
Some of the opportunities I’ve been blessed with include:
Life has been one incredible journey after another, and no it’s not because I have a dad that pays for it all, infact quite the contrary. I simply had a dream and I followed it. I encourage those of you who read this that if you have that dream, that passion, the fire under your butt, to please pursue it, for you will make America that much better. And, by all means, make sure you give God Almighty his credit, because he’s the only reason I’m here today….
I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read this and would like to point you towards our website at www.endeavorballoon.com for various pictures of our balloons, flying area, etc.
Thank You & God Bless!
Colin M. Graham
ColinGraham@endeavorballoon.com
www.endeavorballoon.com