nce upon a time, until experiences like this one made it clear it was Some of Sid’s a lousy idea, there were balloon races from the Bahamas to Florida. Accomplishments According to Sid, who told the Ostory at a Balloon Fiesta Heritage and Awards: Committee meeting, the idea originated on a not- entirely-sober night at a Budweiser distributorship in Florida. At any rate, during one Florida. At any rate, during one of these races, Sid and his then- of these races, Sid and his then- • Founder of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta girlfriend Jewel Bickford (who YNT girlfriend Jewel Bickford (who • Organized the First and Second World Hot Air Balloon later married him anyway) took later married him anyway) took ON FL Championships off from Cat Cay, Bahamas, T AL W in the Jolly Roger. (We’re not • Founded the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association kidding. You can’t make this BILL (AAAA), the largest local balloon club in the world stuff up.) When they had to Y O B • Accumulated 18,000+ hours in airplanes and helicopters and put down in the ocean for T more than 5,000 hours in hot air and gas balloons lack of breeze, and then fuel, PHO before making land, there • Served in the U.S. Air Force and fl ew jets, large cargo aircraft was a Coast Guard vessel and helicopters nearby. The balloon basket • Formed and operated World Balloon Corporation, running stayed more or less buoyant a repair station, and fl ying commercial balloons all over the because the empty tanks acted as fl oats. because the empty tanks acted as fl oats. world for a lengthy list of sponsors such as Anheuser Busch, The envelope, however, fi lled with water and sank, so Kraft and Black Angus. the balloon inverted. While Sid was contemplating what to do about getting the equipment to shore, • Federal Aviation Administration Designated Examiner; taught the Coast Guard received an emergency call and and certifi ed hundreds of balloon pilots told Jewel and Sid that they needed to board or stay • U.S. Hot Air Balloon Champion in 1978 and 1986 behind. They chose to hitch a ride, rather than hang • Finished second in the World Hot Air Balloon Championships out near the Bermuda Triangle. in 1979 Later Sid rented a boat and made his way back to the balloon. They had to slit the balloon open in • U.S. National Team Championship (with Mark Sullivan and several places to allow the water to escape as they Troy Bradley), 1995 slowly pulled the balloon on board. They eventually • Designed and built two of the world’s largest thermal airships got the craft back to Albuquerque, repaired it, and it for Anheuser Busch (larger than Goodyear’s gas airships at fl ew for a few more years. (This story as told by Jewel that time) Cutter and Kim Vesely). • Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, awarded to pilots in all Jim Ahern worked for Sid at World Balloon from forms of aviation who have demonstrated professionalism, 1978-1985 as Operations Manager. Sid brought skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for in the money, Sid’s vice-president Paul Woessner 50 or more years. budgeted the money, and Jim spent it. He also did • Diplome Montgolfi er, ballooning’s highest award. the hiring of pilots and scheduled the contracts, jobs, balloons and pilots. • Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (World Air Sports Federation) Hall of Fame he day after his wedding to Jewel in May • Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame of 1980 in Las Vegas, Sid was taking • New Mexico Tourism Hall of Fame part in a Kool Pro Tour hare and hound balloon race. Sid was zeroing in on the • Balloon Federation of America Hall of Fame hare Kool Balloon. He came in high and • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Hall of Fame was descending at a good clip with a T good line on the target. As he brushed down the Kool • 2002 Olympic Torchbearer representing Albuquerque and Balloon, the basket of the Baby Busch balloon he was ballooning fl ying snagged the fl oating load tape of the side vent • 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2011 of the Kool balloon and inverted. Sid fell from above dedicated to Sid Cutter mid-balloon, 30 ft or so. Fortunately, he recovered from his broken ribs and other severe injuries. In June of 1980, Jim landed the Bud balloon in an empty, fenced in, parking lot. They called the number on the locked gate and someone was sent to open the OFFICIAL PROGRAM 43