LIFESTYLE ★
By Laresa
Watkins
Hot Air Balloon
Adventurers
Richard Parr and John Justice
A
fter seeing the first-ever hot air balloon flight
in Paris in 1783, many people were skeptical of the usefulness of such an invention.
Benjamin Franklin, who was present at the flight, was
asked, “What good is it?” His response, “What good is a
newborn baby?” is now one of his famous quotes.
Every so often you may find yourself looking up into
the Chatham county sky to see one of the magnificent hot
air balloons that Benjamin Franklin appreciated so much.
Piloting that balloon is most likely Richard Parr, and following the balloon from the road could be John Justice. Both
men are Pittsboro residents who, in their retirement, found
ballooning to be an interesting and challenging new hobby.
John Justice, a Chatham County
native, is par t of the crew that
assists Mr. Parr when he is flying.
The two men met through mutual
friends. “I had recently retired
and was looking for adventure, so I
signed on. I knew nothing about it, but fortunately Richard
showed me enough to be helpful sometimes.” Mr. Justice
has been part of the hot air balloon crew for 3-4 years now.
Mr. Parr loves the challenge of piloting a hot air balloon.
He explains, “While ballooning, the way you steer is completely
by wind currents. In an airplane, you are propelled.” He says
that when he takes off, he may have a target for landing that is
2-3 miles away. He and his crew have to decide where they will
20
photos courtesy of Richard Parr / John Justice
Originally from Indiana, Mr. Parr spent his life living and
working all over the world before he
and his wife settled in Pittsboro after
retiring. He began flying airplanes in
1959 and went up for his first hot air
balloon ride in the 80’s. He has been
flying hot air balloons since 2007,
and now runs a business that takes
people up for hot air balloon rides.