2026 Pilot Bios



Deja Blu

Gary Whitby

Columbia, MO

Sponsored by

Sunrise Hospitality


Years Flying Balloons - 30


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


Traveling


Why did you become a pilot?


I love flying


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



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



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


For Gary and his wife Cindy, ballooning has been the perfect match for their love of travel – taking them around the globe and introducing them to incredible people along the way. After volunteering at balloon event, Gary knew he had to become a pilot himself. He describes the experience like this: Flying a balloon is unlike anything else. You can look in every direction and truly take in some of the most stunning views in the world.