2026 Pilot Bios



Chief

Byron Denhart

St. Joseph, IL

Sponsored by

BalloonMeister


Years Flying Balloons - 36


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


Spending time with friends and family, making memories with my wife and son.


Why did you become a pilot?


After starting as crew member and then a crew chief for corporate programs, becoming a pilot was the next logical step.


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


Figuring out what the balloon is going to do, and then either allowing it to go ahead and do that thing, or manipulate it so that you get it to do what YOU want it to do.....like go a certain direction.


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


It's allowed me to meet some amazing people across the world who I consider my closest friends. To date, I've operated balloons in 40 states and 5 countries. Some of my most memorable flights were crewing in the Austrian Alps, flying over the Continental Divide in Colorado and flying/crewing in New Zealand.


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


We love sharing our sport with other people, so don't be afraid to come out and chase us if you see us flying, help us pack up. You never know, there may be a future balloonist among you!!