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Mark Harris 29, Male Urbandale, Iowa United States: Share

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Latest Activity

Mark Harris commented on Casey Donnelly's photo 'Leon 09'

Wow

on Sunday

Mark Harris and Jerry Bolton are now friends

November 24

Mark Harris commented on Jerry Bolton's photo 'Balloon classic 2009 172'

That's a sweet looking balloon.

November 23

Mark Harris commented on Colin Graham's photo '100_3789'

Best In-Flight Photo!

November 20

Profile Information

City, Country:

Urbandale, Iowa

About Me:

Since before I can remember the family would take the week off to go watch balloons in Indianola, Iowa. When I was really young it was the Nationals, now it's the National Balloon Classic. Eventually we volunteered to crew; first in 1993 for Jim Wolters, who also gave me my first ride that year. We crewed for Carol Voight one year(unsure about the spelling of her last name, she vanished) and John O'Grady the next year. We crewed for Dale Dommer for the next several years. But eventually crewing just wasn't enough so we decided to buy a balloon. A '92 TBW 65K. I learned how to fly from Bill Clemons during the summer of '98. I took my checkride in August of 1998, which was the start of my senior year in high school. My dad got his license a year later. I went off to college and didn't fly a lot for the next 5 years,but once I graduated from the University of Iowa, Bill and Louise Clemons built me a National 65K. Originally I flew it over a TBW 4.0, but have since upgraded to a Cameron with a single burner, then upgraded to standard doubles, then super doubles, and now back to the single.

I enjoy the occasional adventure flight, "fun flight" or scenic flight whilst picture-taking, and I do several paid gigs throughout the year, but I get a lot of satisfaction out of competing. The 2009 season is here!

Website:

http://www.iowaskytours.com/

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Mark Harris's Videos

2009 Ottumwa Pro Balloon Race, Iowa, USA.

Added by Mark Harris
Alex is hilarious!

Added by Mark Harris

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At 1:58pm on September 3, 2009, kenny jay said…: well did you get into brookfield? i heard that they had openings for pilots up till last monday. Lynn was going to have mike overman fly his little 54 but he was on the bubble and didnt get it in. looks like possible rain.. this weekend

At 9:32am on August 11, 2009, kenny jay said…: really i thought that you have been there in the past. i figured that they would take pilots that have been there already before new pilots. did they cut back this year? i'm from brookfield originally, but havent heard whats been going on up there. hope you get in. cant miss out on the big o water fight in the parade!

At 3:13pm on August 10, 2009, kenny jay said…: are you coming down to good old Brookfield for the pershing balloon derby labor day weekend?

At 5:35am on August 8, 2009, kenny jay said…: I guess it could have been much worse. sorry to hear but glad everyone was ok. hope bill gets it fixed up. i was up there sunday a.m to look at brad temeyer's basket he had for sale. we bought it from him sunday, but left it up there for bill to annuall it. it needs #2 tank valve fixed and i think a runner put on it. he said it might be after classics before he gets her done. so when he gets her done we'll be back up there to pick her up so we can fly.

At 5:11am on August 7, 2009, kenny jay said…: is your dads envelope still good to fly or did he have to get any repairs made to be able to continue to fly?

At 10:02am on August 4, 2009, kenny jay said…: so how is indianola going? is old "gomer" there? if so i bet he's a hoot!

At 5:49am on July 31, 2009, Brandon Hood said…: The Ohio Challenge went great. We got 3 of the 4 flights in, 2 of which were competitive. The winner of the event was Nick Donner. Second went to Mark Frazier, thrid to Mike Emich, fourth to Chase Donner and I don't remember who was fifth. It was an all around great weekend.

At 12:47pm on July 1, 2009, Kevin L. Stephenson said…: Great video from Ottumwa; nice flying too! Many years ago, Al Nels told me that the key to an excellent drop is using the winds aloft to get you to the target, but it is the approach that will get you in the position to get a good or great drop. Thanks for posting the video! Good luck this summer in your events in which you compete. BEST WISHES! KEVIN

At 3:00am on May 12, 2009, Gary Moore said…: Thanks for the compliment. Was hoping to bring Woodrow back to Indianola this year, but sponsorship money is down.