Above: Bill Cutter prepares to chase his younger brother in N1951R. Oscar Kratz – Tucson, Arizona. Bill Cutter – Phoenix, Arizona. Piloting another Coyote balloon was Oscar Kratz. He Flying another Coyote balloon was Sid’s brother Bill. flew a checkered Raven with red and white top, blue Upon request, the FAA issued Sid’s and Bill’s balloon pilot and white bottom. It can be said that he was indirectly licenses in 1962 and 1963, respectively. Their certificates responsible for one of Albuquerque’s first resident hot read “Free Balloon Pilot – Hot Air Balloons Only”. Bill was air balloons. In 1971, Sid wanted to rent a balloon as the an Albuquerque native and an Army veteran (1955- centerpiece for his mother’s birthday celebration at 1957). He had managed Cutter Flying Service in Phoenix Cutter Flying Service. Oscar owned the first certified since 1959. At the first Balloon Fiesta he flew Betsy Raven AX-8, but it was too big for the hangar and his Ross, N1951R, a patriotic red, white, and blue Raven rental fee was too high at $500. Instead, Sid bought a balloon with gold bunting and white stars against a blue new Raven that he planned to use to promote the party. top, and displaying a Cutter Flying Service banner on Thanks to Oscar’s high rent, N1951R became the first the envelope. At his mother’s birthday celebration, the modern hot air balloon to call Albuquerque home. balloon had a banner reading “This Ole Bag for Rent”. Oscar Kratz enlisted in the Air Force in 1954 and Bill was the third Coyote to take to the air. During served as an aircraft mechanic. He started a flying school an interview, Bill could not recall many details of that at Ryan Airfield near Tucson and was an early instructor first Fiesta. “At my age – I’m 75 – I’m not supposed to in hot air balloons. Oscar died in 1980 at the young age of have a memory.” Bill distinguished himself in balloon 47. His wife Patti represented him at the 25th anniversary competition in the early 70s, placing third in the 1972 gathering of the original pilots at Coronado Center. She Nationals, fourth in the 1973 Nationals, and second passed away in 2016 at age 80. in the 1973 World Hot Air Balloon Championships in Albuquerque. Bill died peacefully in 2018 at age 86. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 55