I have a passion for travel and love to explore the world. I also love antique cars and enjoy woodworking in my spare time.
Why did you become a pilot?
I became interested in ballooning 16 years ago as a sponsor at the Centralia Balloon Fest. I was mesmerized by the peaceful floating feeling of flying a hot air balloon and was hooked. I crewed for several years and became a crew chief. Then I made the leap to getting my pilots license and have not looked back.
What do you find is the most challenging about flying a hot air balloon?
I find being patient with the weather to be the most challenging thing as an LTA pilot. Our sport is so weather dependent that it is difficult to wait, at times, when all we want to do is fly.
Short description of something interesting that ballooning has allowed you to do?
Ballooning has allowed me to travel around the country while also letting me fulfill my passion for flight. It has also allowed me to be part of an amazing community of like-minded people that I am proud to call friends.
What do you most want the public to know/understand about hot air balloons and flying them?
I think the biggest thing is that no one wants to fly more than pilots but we always have safety as our top priority. Because We love this sport and we are very passionate about it sharing it with others. Ask us questions as we love to share.
