(Editor's note - This story appeared in the September 2009 edition of 501 LIFE and is being presented again as a tribute to the three Air Evac crew members who died Aug. 31 in an accident in Van Buren County - flight paramedic Gayla Gregory, flight nurse
Kenneth Meyer Jr., and pilot Kenneth Robertson. Pictured below are Jason Bourg (from left), Thomas Mitchell and Ken Meyer Jr.)
by Sonja J. Keith
When it comes to emergency medicine, seconds and minutes can mean the
difference between life and death. No one knows that more than
paramedic Jason Bourg, flight nurse Ken Meyer Jr. and their crew
members at the Vilonia base of Air Evac Lifeteam.
Among the volunteers who keep things running smoothly at Conway Regional
Medical Center is Tien Huynh. She came to Conway a year and a half ago
from Vietnam and began volunteering after her husband spent a week in
the hospital.
Balloon Little Rock is a locally-owned company that specializes in scenic hot air balloon rides.
The company is owned and operated by Donna and David Hoover of Little Rock, who met at a hot air balloon event. David has made more than 500 flights, taking riders of all ages up in the air. The rides have included a variety of occasions from anniversary celebrations to marriage proposals.
Balloon Little Rock provides aerial tours of Central Arkansas with breathtaking views from aloft flying over Pinnacle Mountain, Chenal Mountain, the Arkansas River and Lake Maumelle.
Morning or afternoon hot air balloon launches are offered daily.
The experience includes some background on the history of hot air ballooning. Champagne or fruit juice toasts and other traditions are a part of this 200-year-old adventure.
David describes ballooning as a “must do experience” that is often described as “the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
For more information on hot air ballooning please call 501.837.6438 or visit www.balloonlr.com.
Rick Goodman has arguably one of the most adrenaline-pumping jobs ever as a U.S. Air Force pilot. But he doesn’t fly just any plane.
As a member of the Thunderbirds, Maj. Goodman flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon, and he flies it upside-down.
