“Learning by Rote”
Source: News-Journal.com Longview TX
By Angela Ward
Shannon Rote and Susan Stamats were easy to spot at this week’s U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships: They were the only two women pilots among the 50 competitors.
However, they said gender makes little difference in the air.
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote of Ohio looks at a map during pilot briefing while competing in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship.
Photo by Kevin GreenRote, 36, is a teacher from Doylestown, Ohio. This is her ninth year as a licensed balloon pilot.
“Being a woman pilot is a bit unusual — I’m sometimes the only female balloonist at whatever event I’m attending — but it’s never been a huge issue,” Rote said.
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote, left, of Ohio starts a fan as her crew member Trisha White, right, of White Oak holds the envelope open as Rote prepares to take flight.
Photo by Kevin
GreenA bigger challenge for Rote is supporting her ballooning activities on a teacher’s salary, she said. It’s an expensive hobby.
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote of Ohio prepares to take flight.
Photo by Kevin Green“Being a teacher works well with ballooning in a sense, because I’ve got summers off to travel to balloon events,” Rote said. “However, it does mean I have to be very frugal in other aspects of my life so that I can take part in these activities.”
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote of Ohio prepares to take flight this past week while competing in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Kilgore.
Photo by Kevin GreenRote was first exposed to ballooning as a child, when family friends owned a balloon. She began crewing for them in her teens and eventually they taught her to fly.
“I just love it and believe I always will,” Rote said. “When I’m flying I’m totally in the moment, relaxed and at peace. Any problems on the ground — issues with my job or family or finances — simply melt away.”
Hot air balloon pilot Susan Stamats of Iowa prepares to take flight this past week while competing in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Kilgore.Photo by Kevin Green
Rote is president of the Northeast Ohio Balloon Pilots Association and she said that the balloonists in that group, regardless of whether they are men or women, were very excited about her attendance at the U.S. Nationals. She also had high praise for her fellow female pilot at this week’s event.
“Susan Stamats is a real pioneer among women balloonists,” Rote said. “She’s been an incredible inspiration to me.”
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote of Ohio takes flight while competing in Kilgore.
Photo by Kevin GreenStamats, 68, is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She began crewing in 1977 and has been a licensed balloon pilot since 1984.
“I think there are actually fewer women in ballooning now than there were back in the 1980s and 90s,” Stamats said. “There were never very many, but it seems like I used to encounter a few more 15 or 20 years ago.”
Hot air balloon pilot Shannon Rote of Ohio flies while competing in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship.
Photo by Kevin GreenStamats met her late husband, Peter, when she inquired about taking a ride in his balloon. For many years they participated in balloon events, sometimes working together and other times competing against each other.
Hot air balloon pilot Susan Stamats of Iowa prepares to land in a neighborhood off Hawkins Parkway in Longview.
Photo by Kevin Green“I’ve had so many incredible experiences flying,” Stamats said. “I’ve flown on several different continents and flown over the Rocky Mountains, but every flight is different. I still feel it’s magical just to fly over my home town.”
Source: News-Journal.com Longview TX
