EAA Chapter 430 September Gathering

President Ray Ballantyne showed a very informative and fun video about the RAF (Recreational Aviation Foundation). The RAF is dedicated to preserving existing airstrips and creating new public-use recreational airstrips throughout the United States.

John Lee Ballantyne has Flown West John Lee Ballantyne passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 4, 2022 John was born in Pueblo, Colorado in 1946 to his father, John Ballantyne who commanded a troop glider in WWII and his mother Ruby Lee who trained with the Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs). John married early in life and had two sons, John Mark (Mark) and Paul Ballantyne. In the early 70’s he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music, but in 1975 found ultralight aircraft instead. He went on to be a pioneer hang glider and ultralight pilot and opened his own ultralight store in California in 1978.

Always an advocate for improving the safety culture, he moved to the East coast to work for various pilot organizations. John received the first ultralight instructor certificate issued by the FAA, and was a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor for gliders. He was the only recipient of an FAA commercial and flight instructor certificate in trike aircraft, and was a United States Hang Gliding Association rated master hang glider pilot.

John founded the United States Ultralight Association (USUA) and served as its president and chief operating officer from 1985 to 2000. In 1996, he received the Moody award, the USUA’s highest honor for outstanding contributions to American ultralight aviation. In 2000, John was recognized by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale CIMA commission for 27 years as a pre-eminent leader in America for the ultralight and microlight sport. John was also inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame for ultralights.

Through the decades and his accumulation of hundreds of hours of flying, John said he never bent one, never hurt anyone, and never hurt himself, even performing movie stunts as a member of the Screen Actors Guild After leaving USUA, he moved near the Delaware coast and renewed his interest in sailing. John was a member of the Indian River Coast Guard Auxiliary, receiving numerous awards, including auxiliarist of the year for 2014. He also served as the president of the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons and photographer for Long Neck Shores Association.

John is survived by both of his brothers Ray and Glenn, and his sons Mark and Paul. He will be interned next to his wife Diane in Frederick, Maryland.