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Steve Derebey's Page

Steve Derebey Male Gig Harbor, WA, Djibouti: ah23levdcauc; Share

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Steve Derebey left a comment for Colin Graham 2 hours ago

Colin Graham left a comment for Steve Derebey 2 hours ago

Steve Derebey left a comment for Keith Sproul 4 hours ago

Keith Sproul and Steve Derebey are now friends

4 hours ago

Steve Derebey commented on the blog post Fiesta grid assignments 4 hours ago

Steve Derebey commented on the blog post Fiesta grid assignments Aug 23

Steve Derebey replied to the discussion Need Balloon Trailer for Albuquerque Fiesta Aug 14

Steve Derebey replied to the discussion Need Balloon Trailer for Albuquerque Fiesta Aug 12

Profile

City, Country:: Gig Harbor, WA Djibouti (We'll rejoin the US when bush is gone)

Steve Derebey - the man...the myth....the reality......

Today...life in the fast lane.... This is the business end of a United Boeing 757

The second balloon I owned - Harmony II a 105,000 cu ft AX-8 - the LAST Raven ever built - now resides in Florida somewhere....

Probably NOT a good day for flying.....

The balloon we own and fly today - a 1998 Aerostar S-53 - 69,000 cu ft. Designed by Jeane Derebey - called "Got the Hotz"

I started flying balloons in 1981 with the purchase of a Raven S-55 AX-7 named Harmony.

Along the way have met a lot of wonderful people, including my wife! We met on the field at the 1991 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and were married a year later!
I've had the opportunity to fly a lot of different balloons including the very first "special shape" certified by the FAA in the US. The KFC "Chicken" -----

My crew at the US Nationals in Indianola - circa 1985

Me and one of my best bud's Rich Condon, kickin' back after a nice flight.....

This is Jeane, my wonderful partner in life!

My six month old grandson - Logan Clark Levitt:

Daughter Lauren - Master of Public Administration - Drake University

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At 9:49am on August 28th, 2008, Colin Graham said…: sounds like a plan . . . VIVA BUSH!

At 3:33am on July 6th, 2008, Steve Derebey said…: Yes, I put that trophy in my trophy room right between the Lamont Cranston Memorial Air Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) and the George S Rambley Memorial Air Diplome'..... Just didn't want to puff it up..... :)

(Bob, I've got a box in my garage of so many unthrown baggies, I could launch my own balloon rally!) :)

At 2:53am on July 6th, 2008, Bob Romaneschi said…: So modest you are. Looks like FIRST PLACE!! Wow your not as rusty as we thought huh?? Congrats.

At 3:54pm on July 5th, 2008, Bob Romaneschi said…: How was Tigard, is that a trophy I see?

At 3:59am on June 23rd, 2008, Steve Derebey said…: Joe: Things sure have changed! Although, I still make it a habit to greet every passenger on the way out and thank them. That has not changed for me. It's too bad that the robber barons of this industry have sucked the enthusiasm out of the job for most of us. Love flying my balloon. Still love flying planes. Just detest the conditions under which we work.

Best,

Steve

At 11:14am on June 22nd, 2008, Joe Lillard said…: Nice cockpit pic in the 75.
United has been my airline of choice for the last 35 or so years. Since I have lost my 1K status, it's not the same as it used to be when captains would drop by to say thanks and the FAs would sometimes wrap a bottle of wine and give it to me. I'm sure it's not quite the same for you too. The highlight of my association with UAL was flying the 77 - man what a thrill. Should I mention it was the simulator in Denver??
Keep your airspeed up - unless you're under hot air.
Joe Lillard
2099011

At 3:13pm on June 2nd, 2008, Steve Derebey said…: Hi Lance- Don't know Ted but I did know his Dad. We did some ALPA work together - in fact, he was one of my Committee Chairmen when I was Chairman of Council 12.

We haven't flown in ABQ for the last five years but went down a couple years ago just to party. I know what you mean about landing sites. Even five or six years ago it was beginning to be a real problem. The grass field is sure nice though!

We lay over at DFW sometimes but usually only short so not much time do do much but sleep. Will keep that in mind though just in case.

Best,

Steve

At 3:06pm on June 2nd, 2008, Lance Terry said…: My buddy is Ted Simpson 57/67 F/O in ORD. His dad was Whit Simpson who retired a few years back. He was left seat on the 777 when he turned 60.

I'll look you up in ABQ if I come out to socialize. We quit flying ABQ a few years ago because the city overgrew the Balloon Fiesta Park flying area and there are far too little landing sites for my tastes. I really miss the parties and being up in the sky with all those balloons. Maybe someday they will move it to a better location and I will come fly as a registered pilot again.

Look me up if you RON in DFW. We fly the balloon here as often as we can.

At 5:27am on June 2nd, 2008, Bob Romaneschi said…: Sorry Steve, just got home on tuesay. Been playing catch up. I will faxe it too you this week. Yes we flew the Bear with Klonike banners.

At 5:03pm on May 28th, 2008, Tony Goodnow said…: We had a few different balloons at RCR - most recognizable would be the Showbiz Pizza balloon "Billy Bob" and the "Spirit of Topeka" flown by my step-dad. My father flew a couple of different zig zag Balloon Works balloons.

We've got some old Harmony & Harmony II pins hanging on a quilt (with 400 others) at my Dad's house. Tell Shannon I said hi - there was always a group of us kids running around the hotels in Omaha trying to stay out of trouble.

You mentioned Ron Cordray - I don't remember the circumstances behind it but I logged some instruction time with him up there 15+ years ago.

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