balloonfestival.com - Participating Pilots http://balloonfestival.com/ Infinity Site Manager en-us April 02, 2013 8:50 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1668 March 21, 2012 2:39 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1633 Balloon: IMTS Balloon Pilot: Gary Cass Hometown: Columbia, MO February 29, 2012 8:23 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1646 Balloon Name: Touchstone Energy Pilots: Cheri White Hometown: Austin, TX December 02, 2011 8:42 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1607 Balloon Name: ReMax- Above the Clouds Pilot: Bob Mueller Hometown: Pittstown, NJ December 01, 2011 2:56 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1518 Balloon Name: Beemster Betty Bovine Pilot Name: Michael Blum Hometown: Wheeling, WV From Michael: A culinary arts professional, Michael is currently the U.S. Sales and Marketing Director for Beemster Cheese, a historic cooperative making cheese in the Netherlands for more than 100 years. In his spare time he enjoys providing pro-bono consulting services for small cheesemakers in the U.S. He is also the founder of DosTicos, a U.S. brand of the No. 1-selling Costa Rican salty snack. Michael has a passion for travel as well as food – he enjoys visiting “off the beaten track” destinations, recently visiting the Ukraine and Lithuania with plans to summit Mt Kilimanjaro. And he combines both of his passions as the pilot of the Beemster Cheese hot air balloon, which he flies throughout the United States.  He shares a love of the performing arts with fellow board member Thomas Farrell, who inspired him to become involved as an investor/producer with the national touring Tony award winning musical Memphis as well as other Broadway-bound musicals.  Michael was inspired to start Tomorrow’s Chefs, a 501c3 charity that inspires at risk high school students using the culinary arts.   December 12, 2012 12:23 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1661 Balloon Name: Quarter-Life Crisis Pilot: Sally Mazzocchi Hometown: Annandale, NJ December 01, 2011 4:57 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1492 Balloon Name: Sun Burst Pilot: Michael Zemlachenko Hometown: Flemington, NJ Mike’s career in aviation began in 1973 when he started taking airplane flying lessons at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey.  In 1983 Mike started taking flight lessons in hot air balloons and attained his Private and Commercial rating.   Currently Mike is a commercial airline pilot based in New York with a major US carrier.  Mike and his wife Oksana also own and operate Hunterdon Ballooning, Inc. (www.HunterdonBallooning.com) in Flemington, New Jersey.  They have been providing commercial balloon rides since 1984.  The biggest thrill is to help plan each flight and exceed the passenger’s expectations.  It’s always exciting to see first-time, as well as returning “seasoned” flyers, enjoy the beauty, excitement and serenity of a hot air balloon flight. December 02, 2011 1:55 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1589 Balloon: Serendipity Pilot: Jason Boucher Hometown: Derry, NH December 01, 2011 6:22 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1609 Balloon Name: Have Balloon Will Travel Pilot: Roger Kell Hometown: Phillipsburg, NJ March 27, 2012 2:54 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1517 Balloon Name: Tiny Pilot: Brian Trapp Hometown: Oregonia, OH Pilot Bio Website: www.HotAirBalloonRides.com   Brian Trapp Lebanon, OH, USA How many years have you been a hot air balloon pilot? 30 Recent Awards: - Winner 2007 Kentucky Derby Balloon Fest, Louisville, KY with the 3rd best score in its 35 year history - Grand Champion 1988, 1990 (record score), 1992, 2007 Mountaineer Balloon Fest, Morgantown, WV - 4th place finisher of 1000 balloons in ALB Balloon Fiesta, in October 2000 - Won 4 events in 2007 alone - Flown in US, Canada, France, Scotland, England, and Fiji Islands - Ordained Minister April 1, 2008; perform balloon weddings Interesting tidbits about you, the balloon, your crew, how you started ballooning, etc. to share with the crowd: - Lived in and flown from a 12th century castle in Scotland - Flown from (and landed back on) islands (Fiji Islands) - Own/operate S/W Ohio's largest balloon company, Gentle Breeze Hot Air Balloon Company, Ltd - Own and operate the area's only certified Hot Air Balloon Repair Station: R4BR027N - S/W Ohio, Central Ohio & Indiana's sole FAA Appointed Designated Pilot Examiner - Operate 10 ride and corporate balloons in the US - First ride was in my Grandmother's balloon, 1980 (she was 69 at the time) - Started (born) St. Louis, MO - Acquired over 3000 flights December 01, 2011 8:20 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1500 Balloon Name: Smile High Pilot: Tony Sica Hometown: Derry, NH From Tony Sica: Tony Sica got bitten by the ballooning bug when he watched a balloon fly over his home in Derry NH in 1995. He gathered up his two little girls, jumped into the car and chased the balloon to its landing just minutes away. The pilot offered for the girls to float in the basket as it was moved into position for takedown. They never forgot that moment and neither did Tony. He met the pilot of that balloon some time later in another forum and was offered a ride for himself and one child. He jumped at the offer and that was all she wrote. He was hooked. His first ride was free and his second was the very pricey cost of his very first balloon. That was fifteen years ago. Since then he went on to become a commercial pilot and instructor. He has helped four other pilots attain a commercial level rating. Most recently with his own brother who lives in Lake Havasu, AZ. He opened High 5 Ballooning in Derry NH in 1999 leaving a successful construction business to pursue his dream. Since that time he has had the privilege to host thousands of passengers who he introduces to the beauty of New Hampshire and the wonder of ballooning. High 5 ballooning now boasts the first balloon basket with a door in the country. This new basket arrived in mid May 2012 and has already shown itself to be worth the investment for both passenger comfort and safety. High 5 ballooning pilot and crew attend only one festival each year. The Quick Chek NJ Festival of Ballooning. We are anxious to participate in the festival this year and catch up with some old friends. See you in July….. December 12, 2012 2:42 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1662 Balloon: Movin' Magic Pilot: Mark MacSkimming March 05, 2012 7:45 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1648 Balloon Name:  Ron Burgundy Pilot Name:  Dariush Farzad Hometown: Endicott, NY December 01, 2011 4:58 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1493 Balloon Name: Mid Life Crisis Pilot: Nicholas Mazzocchi Hometown: Lebanon, NJ December 01, 2011 3:19 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1618 Balloon Name: HI Pilot: Richard Letrent Hometown: Hamilton, NJ About RJ: Rich (RJ) Letrent, originally from Western Pennsylvania, currently hails from Hamilton, New Jersey. He flies regularly in the Garden State, but logbook entries also include a number of festivals across the Northeast and even a flight in the Slovak Republic. “I got hooked on ballooning back in 2005 when my neighbor, Jeff Lovelace, talked me into coming out to crew. I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be love at first sight. Before long, I found myself signing up for every flight. One thing led to another and I got my pilot certificate in 2007. Along the way, I’ve encountered some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet and flown many a balloon. In fact, my first ride was at this festival as a novice crew member!” The HI Balloon has an interesting story. It began life as the Yashica Camera Balloon. When the corporate contract expired, the previous owner removed all of the letters except for the “HI”. That bit of whimsy proved to be very popular. Eventually, the aging envelope was retired and a new one commissioned.  “HI” was included in the new design and continues to generate smiles. RJ and Jeff are thrilled to once again, bring the HI Balloon to the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. “We fly from Solberg Airport year-round, but this weekend is truly spectacular.” December 01, 2011 8:27 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1503 Balloon Name: Windswept Pilot: Matthew Lidinsky Hometown: Baldwin, MD About Matt: Voted best looking balloon pilot at the QCNJFOB for the past eight years (stealing the honor from Ted O’Hara in 2004), Matt is looking forward to returning to this year's event to continue his streak. Matt has been flying balloons since he was seven years old (see picture) and earned his license at the age of 17. He enjoys competition flying and taking passengers for rides. Matt has flown many different balloons, including the Haunted Mansion and Clown N Around special shape balloons, all over the US and in Canada and China. Matt owns and operates Up Up Away Hot Air Balloon Company in Maryland. Check his company out at www.MarylandBalloonFlights.com and www.Facebook.com/MarylandBalloonFlights Sorry ladies, Matt's taken. He is the first man to Great Eastern Balloon Association President and fellow QCNJFOB pilot Sally Mazzocchi. December 01, 2011 5:01 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1495 Balloon Name: Sunburst Pilot: Todd Monahan Hometown: Glens Falls, NY About Todd: My first experience with ballooning was hustling out the door at 5am into the brisk morning air. With the sun peaking over the horizon, I’d race on my bike to the airport to catch a glimpse of the brilliant balloons ascending in unison. I will never forget the thrill of seeing a balloon up close, feeling the warmth of the burner, and the pleasant camaraderie amongst everyone on board. December 03, 2011 10:00 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1575 Balloon Name: Passion Pilot: Andre Boucher Hometown: Derry, NH Website: http://balloonridesnh.com/ About Andre: Andre's love of ballooning started just over 20 years ago while on his way to work he saw a hot air balloon in the sky and decided to follow it.  Upon its landing Andre asked if he could buy a flight he just had to go up in one of those things. After his first hot air balloon flight was over he said to the pilot "That's it, where's the store? I need to buy one of these!" The pilot then informed him that it did not quite work that way and if he was serious he would give him lessons so that he could eventually earn a pilot’s license of his own.  Andre began to crew for him and fly with him every chance he got. After a year, Andre was able to take his solo flight and pass the FAA regulated pilots test. Though Andre has been flying for 23 years he has only been a commercial pilot since 1992. Before then he would only fly his family and friends. Andre has 2,000 + hours as Pilot in Command to date! Andre has flown in Balloon Festivals all over the country and he has piloted balloons in many of the states including New Mexico, Alaska, Montana, New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New Jersey. He has even flown in parts of Canada like Quebec, Ottawa and New Brunswick. Andre has also taken his balloon overseas to fly at a balloon rally in France. Andre is always willing to lend a helping hand to other balloonists and during the summer of 2009 he was a crew member for The Disney Pixar film UP. He spent the weekend in Boston preparing the 45 foot high aircraft once the system was setup he spent the rest of his time there helping the twenty plus other crew members give tethered rides to the public during the promotion of this film. Another interesting fact about Andre is that he along with his son Carl, Brother Denis and friend John traveled from Alaska to Nova Scotia on snowmobiles in 56 days for a total of 10,252 miles on March 3, 1992. This ride scored them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. June 21, 2012 2:50 PM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1657 Pilot Name: Charles Sica Balloon Name: Hi Life Hometown: Lake Havasu City, AZ December 05, 2011 11:15 AM http://www.balloonfestival.com/balloons/pilots/index.html?id=1571 Balloon Name: Out of the Blue Pilot: Rick Bryant Hometown: Easton, PA Rick has flown off aircraft carriers in the Navy, has flown internationally for a major US airline, but hot air ballooning is his real aviation love. It is pure flying without the modern technology. He has been flying his hot air balloon "Out of the Blue" for the last six years. He and his wife, Connie, work as a team flying passengers in the Easton, Pa area.  www.sightsunseenballooning.com