2024 Pilot Bios

Round About

Theodore Gransbury

Carmel, IN

Sponsored by

Thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components

Years Flying Balloons - 11

When you are not flying, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy prying weird things my dog is attempting to eat out of his mouth. Tons of fun. Golden retrievers, amirite?

Why did you become a pilot?

I lost a bet to the ground and was strongly motivated to spend less time down and more time up. It's actually REALLY been working out for me.

What do you find is the most challenging about flying a hot air balloon?

Finding a day where good weather, crew, passengers, and a full night of sleep are all available.

Short description of something interesting that ballooning has allowed you to do?

It's allowed me yell at a minimum of one sky pirate. I've also met many more llamas aaaaaand have only met one bull - I went ahead and flew on to the next landing spot for that one.

What do you most want the public to know/understand about hot air balloons and flying them?

It's fun, beautiful, serene (when I'm not talking or playing with fire) and has been worth all of the 13 years of moments I've given to it. Many memories full of interesting people in interesting places. -- Also, I highly recommend passengers go in the Fall. Summer is hot. Fall is not. And the colors! You're welcome in advance. See you in the sky!