SBARC members,
It is with great sadness that I am writing to let our membership know of
the untimely passing of a renowned and fascinating member of the Santa
Barbara community.
Although Julian Nott was not a ham, he possessed the spirit of ingenuity
and creativity that is so pervasive among our ranks. Julian was the
founder of the modern ballooning movement. He held 79 world ballooning
records and created the first hot air balloon with a pressurized cabin. In
May 2017, he broke the world record for a high altitude civilian tandem
skydive jumping at just under 32,000 feet. Another hot air balloon he flew
to 55,000 feet is now on display in the Smithsonian National Air & Space
Museum.
Prior to his death, Julian was developing an entirely new system for
ballooning in which conventional ballast was replaced with cryogenic
helium, a shift that was changing the course of balloon history.
Julian died this week on Tuesday, March 26, several days after suffering
multiple injuries during a ground accident following a successful balloon
flight and landing in Warner Springs, California.
I came to know Julian personally through my high-altitude amateur radio
balloon activities with students at Anacapa School in Santa Barbara and as
a fellow aviator based out of Santa Barbara Airport. Although Julian was
usually the most interesting person in the room, he was gifted at making
others, particularly my students and me, feel empowered and important. It
was an honor and pleasure to know him. His passing leaves a void not only
in the Santa Barbara community but in the world.
This article “Nott’s Landing” in Montecito Journal tells the story of his
path in life succinctly.
http://themjmag.com/13/files/assets/basic-html/page33.html
Local and national media have picked up the story of his passing. For your
convenience, here are a few links with more information:
https://www.noozhawk.com/article/julian_nott_of_santa_barbarahttps://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Julian-Nott-Balloon-Pilot-Dies-Warne…https://www.nott.com/
Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM
Santa Barbara, Calif.
SBARC needs to sell two metal Whalen shelving units.
They were purchased from Costco and are like new. They have been used
indoors but were moved outdoors today. Hoping someone can use these ASAP
before they get rained upon.
Each rack has 4 shelves and supports 2000 pounds. The size is 77" long x
24" deep x 72" high.
The club paid $160 each plus tax. We'd like to get as close to original
cost as possible, but (hopefully) not less than $120 each. Please note
this will be supporting our club.
Two are available.
Please spread the news.
Ken
The Diablo Peak wind sock got it self hung up on the mast clamp for the
past several days. I just happened to see a west wind come up and could
see it start to work itself loose. I actually saw it break loose.....
finally.
Bill Talanian
