| Derald
started his career in the 1960s while attending the University of
Maine. He received his private fixed wing pilot's license in 1970.
In 1971 he saw his first balloon and he was hooked! Derald served as
a naval flight officer for the U.S. Navy and then returned to his
family home in the Bangor, Maine area.
He learned to fly Hot Air Balloons and started
Damn Yankee Balloons Inc., which offered passenger flights and
student instructions.
In 1985 Derald set a record as the very first
pilot to cross Northumberland Straight in a Hot Air Balloon, which
lies between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Canada. He flew
13 Miles over ocean and landed on Prince Edward Island's Towering
Cliffs.
Since that time he has flown over 3,000 hours in
10 U.S. states and 6 Canadian Provinces. His biggest thrill still
is sharing the wonderment of the first flight with new passengers.
Derald met his wife Joy while Ballooning in
Vermont over a decade ago, and together they reside in Dixfield,
Maine.
Damn Yankee Balloons provides aerial advertising
for local and national businesses , as well as free flights and
tethered balloon rides, in the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada. |
