Adams Family Hot Air Balloon Teams

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The Adams Family

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The Adams Family now consists of pilots and crew who fly the Adams brand balloon regardless of geographical location. We have established the Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico and Washington State connections so far. The New Mexico branch of the Adams Family have three things in common. They fly Adams brand balloons, all balloons are named after angels or have angel as part of their name...and, they all live in New Mexico. Yes, Virginia there is a NEW Mexico, the 47th State in the Union, located between Texas and Arizona and South of Colorado and North of the country of Mexico. However, the Adams Family Hot Air Balloon teams is expanding worldwide to include pilots and crew of Adams Balloons everywhere. The first to join our team from outside New Mexico is our Georgia connection, David W. Bristol, who hails from Sautee-Nacoochee, Georgia. The first to join from New Jersey was Harry Collison from Margate City, New Jersey now living in Absecon, New Jersey. The first pilot from the State of Washington is Ted Wirch from Battle Ground, Washington. Any Adams pilot or crew can have a page at this site simply by Emailing Al "Nick" Griffin at the link on the Home page. Pilots should be aware that since Nick is in his golden years, he can't read minds any more and he must be told what to put on each page. This is made relatively painless by a questionnaire which will be sent upon request.

The Adams Family had its start when Sam Baxter purchased Angel Wings. His second balloon was Midnight Angel which he purchased along with Jimmy Hill. Sam's sister Anita Moya was Sam's first Student and took to flying Angel Wings. Jimmy Hill was his second student. Soon Anita and her husband Cass decided to move to Southern New Mexico and Angel Wings was sold to Jeff Stocker. Sam then bought Jaded Angel and sold Midnight Angel to Bob Woodall. Soon many of the Adams Family crew members were clamoring for a balloon. As of this date there are Nineteen balloons in the Family.

Nine of the Pilots, Sam Baxter, David Bristol, Harry Collison, Charlie Schobel, Jeff Stocker, Bob Woodall, Bill Dimmitt, Ken Paulk, and Ted Wirch are Commercial Pilots and can give "paid rides". Of the New Mexico Adams Family Orbie Stone lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Bill Dimmitt, Justin Hodge, and Debra and Jamie Jameson live in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Jimmy Hill lives in Tome,New Mexico and the rest live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held the first Saturday in October of each year and lasting of total of nine fun-filled days.

Look at all those hot air balloons would ya!

Gee, I wonder why they call it the Big One!

The Adams balloons were manufactured in Peachtree, Georgia by Michael Adams. When Michael died, there were no more Adams balloons made. Scotty Ricketts who worked for Michael has kept the Adams repair station in Atlanta, Georgia open for major repairs to the existing balloon components. An additional repair station for Adams Balloons is owned and operated by Bob Willbanks in Snellville, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Adams balloon is known for its unique deflation system, which is often referred to as the "pop-top". The fabric at the top of the balloon is gathered on a rope (referred to as the dogbone), about 18" long, with a loop on each end. The crown line is attached to both loops. One loop is threaded through the eye of the other loop and then held secure by a metal pin. The metal pin is attached to the basket by wire cable (the red line) which allows the pilot to pull the pin out of the loop. Then the pilot must release the crown line which allows the fabric to slide down the crown line, opening the whole top of the balloon (about 30 feet in diameter), which immediately releases the hot air. Anywhere from 8-10 seconds later the balloon is fully collapsed (see the above photos). This double action deflation system makes the Adams one of the safest balloons flying. Anyone who has been dragged along the ground in a high wind while landing, in other makes of balloons, can appreciate this fast deflation method of the Adams Balloon. Not all Adams balloons, however, have the pop top. Angel Twist and Enchanted Angel, for example, have the parachute top.

The New Mexico Adams Family is a close knit group who enjoy after-flying tailgating (Most of the food is superb cuisine). Marj Baxter and Robbin Baxter-Busick, Sam's sisters, are well known for their delicatessen on wheels. All crew members have their favorite dishes that they contribute to the tailgate parties. In fact, a cookbook was printed which contained recipes from all Adams Family members. The books were sold and the profits were donated towards a project for the new balloon fiesta park. This is an ongoing project for the group who, additionally, will continue to make colorful flags to adorn the perimeter of the new park.

Many pilots and crew members have wondered if the Balloon Fiesta would allow them to fly their personal balloon flags at the Balloon Park. Sam Baxter says "YES". However, they will need a one-time fee of $25.00 to cover the cost of the flagpole and attachments. The balloon flags will be mounted along the West fence adds Sam, and can be used by the pilot or crew each year. The size of the flag is limited to 3 feet by 5 feet. The deadline for reserving a flagpole this year was September 15th. Sam says all balloon pilots and crews who procrastinated this year can still reserve a flagpole for next year. Your check should be payable to AIBF. For those out-of-town pilots, call Sam at 505.280.1453, or Janie at 505.301-1632 or finally, the Balloon Fiesta office at 505.821.1000.

Every two years, the Adams Family participates in a road rally with the destination deduced by a series of clues and directions. A quiz sheet of sounds and sights along the way provides a way to determine the rally winners. The rally ends the next morning with a brunch and awarding of prizes.

This is just a thumbnail sketch of what the Adams Family is...and what it is is a king size HABiT!

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