Schaumburg Live Work & Play - March/April 2009 - (Page 22) Rippinger got so good at the latter that he became U.S. Gas Balloon champion in 1981 with partner Dean Stellas who was the owner/pilot of the balloon “Chicago.” After selling his last hot air balloon in 1989, Rippinger did not own an aircraft for the first time in many years, so he was on the lookout for something to buy. “I had always wanted a warbird, an ex-military aircraft and I saw an ad for a share of ownership in a T-34,” he said. Rippinger became a partial owner, with a goal of being able to fly the plane competently, and maybe do a loop or a roll in the air. He soon discovered that his partners were part of the Lima Lima Flight Team, and inquired about flying as part of the team. His T-34 partners were not exactly welcoming. “I was put off by the whole thing because they told me, ‘You have to earn your way into Page 22 schaumburg live • work • play
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