Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: National Balloon Museum

The National Balloon Museum came to be in Indianola, IA because of its association with the early days of the National Hot Air Balloon Championships beginning in 1970.

Almost immediately there developed an interest in displaying items about the history of ballooning. Beginning in 1972 exhibits of ballooning history were set up in temporary displays in various locations in the city each year during the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships. The materials then had to be stored until the next year. In the years 1972 through 1974 the ballooning memorabilia was set up in a room in the Indianola Chamber of Commerce office located in the Berry building on the southwest corner of the Indianola Square.

FMI: www.nationalballoonmuseum.com