2025 Pilot Bios

Good n Plenty

Greg Saul

Galesburg, IL

Sponsored by

Myers Carpet Weavers

Years Flying Balloons - 36

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

Working on my house, Riding my Harley, being with my wife and friends.

Why did you become a pilot?

I was a crew member for my brother for 15 years before I became a pilot and I enjoyed the family environment that ballooning has.

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

The Weather. There are days you are ready to fly but you can't because mother nature steps in and says "oh no you don't". The first thing I learned when taking lessons from my instructor was, if something doesn't feel right or you don't have enough crew or anything like that, don't fly. There is another day to die.

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

Fly in Albuquerque. And if you can't fly there at least go and watch. It's the most photographed event in the world for a reason.

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

This is a sport that revolves around safety. I know you get disappointed when we can't fly but not half as disappointed as we the pilots do. We don't come to your city to just look at the weather. We come to do what we love to do. Fly, oh and enjoy your hospitality. Thank you for having us here every year.