Hometown: Indialantic, FL
Balloon activities: Morning Tethers & Night Glow

After driving race cars for 10 years, John was looking for an inexpensive way to get the same thrill. That's when in 1979, John came upon Hot Air Balloon racing. It was an adventure from the beginning and John has been flying ever since. In 1996, John became the owner of one of the most unusual balloons on the planet. In fact, the balloon looks as if it came from another planet. After talking with Shep Wooley, the recording artist that wrote and sang the 1958 hit song, “Flying Purple People Eater", John knew had had a great name for his unique, eye-catching, balloon.

Sponsored by Tigard American Legion Post 158

Hometown: Caldwell, ID
Balloon activities: Morning Launch & Night Glow

Luke started flying airplanes in 1967 at 15 years old and did his 1st solo flight at 16. He finished his private pilot certificate while in the Air Force and then got his Commercial, Instrument, Muli-Engine and Flight Instructors ratings in the early 1980’s. In 1990 Luke went on his first Hot Air Balloon ride. After that he decided he could add ballooning to his ratings. Now Luke is about to reach the 1,000 hour mark in balloons. Besides flying airplanes and balloons, Luke has flown gliders, helicopters and ultralights.

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Laurie's ballooning experience started with a camera around 1986. She was very interested in photography and balloons. Through a friend, Laurie started crewing for a local pilot and eventually became regular crew for him. Over the next four years Laurie traveled extensively to every balloon event we could. It was this pilot who encouraged Laurie to get her pilot's license. In 1991 with the help of Laurie's dad, she purchased her first balloon and got her license. Laurie never tires of sharing the sport with new people and has made some great friends over the years.

Hometown: Birkenfeld, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Kearney's interest in ballooning began with crewing in the Great Reno Balloon Race approximately 33 years ago. He started his pilot training in 1996 and completed it in January of 1997. In 2015 Kearney became a certified commercial pilot. Kearney has been flying ever since. His family enjoys traveling to and participating in balloon rallies with him. They have had the opportunity to fly in Washington, Oregon, Nevada Arizona, New Mexico, California, Wyoming, and Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Kearney's wife Deanna named the balloon Kearney’s Mistress as she said it is the only thing he was allowed to spend money on other that her. So his balloon is his Mistress.

Hometown: Interlachen, FL
Balloon activities: Morning Tethers & Night Glow

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Ricky is a retired air traffic controller of 37 years with 25 years experience flying balloons.

Hometown: Geyserville, CA

Balloon activities: Morning Launch & Night Glow

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David grew up around the sport of ballooning. His aunt has been flying balloons for over 40 years and she sparked his interest at the age of two. At age 11 David started crewing for balloons, and at the age of 14 he received his student certificate. The rest is history. David is currently 37 and a commercial pilot flying passengers over the Sonoma County wine country. He enjoys sharing this one of a kind experience with others and creating a lasting memory they’ll never forget. David really enjoys flying Tigard. It is one of the most beautiful places he's flown.

Hometown: Renton, WA
Balloon activities: Morning Static Display

Jessica fell in love with ballooning while teaching in Gallup, NM. After returning home to the Pacific Northwest, Jessica continued her ballooning journey and received her private pilot license in 2022. Her husband/crew chief, Ryan Geib, is also now working on getting his pilot license, and they are on their way to becoming a ballooning family. Her balloon “Sunny Rainbow” is a 1991 Aerostar RX-8 with a very unique as it is a CWE basket built by Raven Europe.

Hometown: Newberg, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Dale has been around hot air balloons for over 40 years. He started his pilot training in 1984. He completed the requirements and passed his Private tests 25 years later, in 2009. He never gave up the dream of being a pilot. He has his Commercial rating and in 2015 received the "Aeronaut of the Year" award from the Willamette Aerostat Society of Oregon. Dale attends a number of balloon rallies and festivals every year. For Dale, giving others the thrill of flying in a balloon is a great pleasure.

Hometown: Redmond, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch & Night Glow

Darren went on his first balloon flight in 1989 and was introduced to a form of flight that captivated him from the start. In 1993 he received his commercial LTA license and started Big Sky Balloon Co. He currently manages a corporate balloon program for RE/MAX International in the Pacific Northwest region and also operates scenic balloon flights in Central Oregon. Darren has flown balloons around the country and internationally while accumulating over 3000 flight hours. “I love to share with people the great experiences that come from flying hot air balloons and their unique ability to totally excite and captivate people always keeps it fun and exciting for me.”

Hometown: Albany, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Jack’s first stab at piloting was when he was 6 years old. It was a small “line controlled” airplane with a 13-inch wingspan. At age 18 Jack started flying “real” airplanes. Over the last 24 years, he has logged over 6,000 hours flying various aircraft. Jack also flies helicopters, gliders, and hot air balloons. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and is a flight instructor. He is also a Designated Pilot Examiner for airplanes and balloons. In 2017 Jack’s wife, Sallie, started Willamette Valley Balloons to provide scenic flights for passengers and to travel to balloon rallies. Jack now works for her on his days off.

Hometown: Yamhill, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Koh is predominantly a sport flyer, but also provides instruction. Koh enjoys aerostat construction with his first effort an AX-5. One of his other joys in LTA aviation is working on, executing and helping others with the technical and operational aspects of long distance, long duration and high-altitude flights. It has been Koh’s pleasure to be the launch master for 5 world record flights. Weather, meteorology and forecasting are also areas of constant interest to Koh. Since mid-2007, Koh has been the engineering consultant and engineer of record for Firefly Balloons. The people you meet and become involved with are a great reward and asset for participating in this sport.

Hometown: North Bend, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Robert bought his first balloon August 1995 (Rock Springs, Wyoming) and received his Commercial Certificate April 1996 (Park City, Utah). Robert attended on average 10-12 events annually for the first 10 years after receiving his certificate. In 2012 Robert created his hot air balloon company – High Plains Drifter Hot Air Balloons, LLC based out of Miles City, MT. He primarily flies in the western US.

Hometown: Albany, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Tether

Eric grew up around single engine fixed wing planes as a kid, but always marveled at hot air balloons gracefully coloring the sky. Many years later, his wife took him out to crew for a balloon. She had been crewing for many years. It was exhilarating, but yet, peaceful. The pilot encouraged Eric to become a pilot as well. The next year Eric purchased his first hot air balloon. With many thanks to his family and wonderful crew, in 2018, Eric received his private pilot certificate. In 2022 he got his commercial certificate. Eric can't believe that now he gets to help gracefully color the sky.

Hometown: Albany, OR
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

Alan crewed for a co-worker in the 1980s. He trained in the Morgan Hill and Gilroy area south of San Jose, California and earned his commercial pilot certificate in 1992. He has flown many events in the Western US, including Albuquerque, NM; Reno, NV; Albany and Tigard, OR. He has flown outside the US in ChiangRai Thailand. He also holds a FAA repairman certificate and owns Lindan Hot Air Service Center, a hot air balloon repair station located in Albany, Oregon. Alan received factory maintenance training on Aerostar International, Cameron Balloons, Firefly and Galaxy Balloons, Kubicek Balloons, and Lindstrand Balloons.

Hometown: Kamas, UT
Balloon activities: Morning Launch

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Kimberly's passion for balloons started when she was really small. She moved to San Diego when she was 12 and had her first encounter with a hot air balloon. Kimberly took her first ride in Del Mar. She always knew she wanted to be a balloon pilot before moving to San Diego. Kimberly got her private license in 2004 and her commercial license in 2010. She purchased her first balloon in 2021 after flying everyone’s else’s balloons. Kimberly has flown in the nationals and women’s nationals. Her balloon has the Army star on top to Honor her grandpa’s service in the Army. Without him Kimberly's balloon wouldn’t been possible. In September 2023, Kimberly was a member of the Women's World Hot Air Balloon Championship team in Australia.

Hometown: Albany, OR

Balloon activities: Morning Tether

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Chris took his first hot air balloon ride in 2007 and was immediately hooked. He purchased his first balloon the following spring. He got his private license in September 2008. Chris flew his second balloon during 2010 and achieved a commercial rating in October. In the spring of 2011, he built his first balloon, the original Heaven Bound. In 2021, he built his second balloon, a cloud hopper called Rising Star. In 2024, Chris finished his third balloon, also named Heaven Bound. The new Heaven Bound balloon will make its debut at the Festival! He also enjoys teaching ground school and hands-on instruction for ballooning and has trained two student pilots so far. Chris lives in the Albany area and is the Balloonmeister for the Northwest Art and Air Festival.