FAI/CIA press release,
Paris, 13th March 1996

FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA)

Nini Boesman Enters Hall of Fame

MARCH 13, 1996 -- Today, Dutch balloonist Nini Boesman discovered that she had been selected as the second living balloonist to enter the CIA International Balloon and Airship Hall of Fame. The announcement was made at a special celebration of the Hague Balloon Club at the headquarters of the Royal Dutch Aero Club.

Both she (born 11 May 1918)and her husband Jo (1914 - 1976; who is also entering the Hall of Fame posthumously) have been active gas balloonists since the late 1930's. They played an important role in national and international gas ballooning, in individual flights as well as in international competitions all over the world. Between 1950 and 1975 they flew gas balloons on 5 continents, in Australasia, Africa, North and South America, Europe and India. Often, these flights took place at the invitation of International Aviation Exhibitions and Air shows. The Boesman's made a large number of night flights together, and in addition, Nini made 9 Alpine gas balloon flights from Switzerland.

Jo Boesman, founder of the Hague Balloon Club, was the Delegate to the FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA) from the Netherlands in the early 1970's and even served as CIA President for one year. After his death in 1976, Nini took over as Delegate through much of the 1980's. She is still an active gas balloon pilot and still flies in international gas balloon events. Maintaining a great interest in gas ballooning, she has trained 5 other gas balloon pilots who now are all active flying members, along with Nini, of the Hague Balloon Club.

Kirk Thomas
CIA Public Relations Committee

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