About Airborne Heat Ballooning

Involved in ballooning since a child in the 1960’s; balloon pilot for over 45 years

5000+ hours total time in balloons as a sport pilot, competition pilot, balloon ride pilot and commercial/corporate pilot and instructor. Previously served as a DPE for the FAA

Became a full-time commercial pilot in mid 1980’s

Flown many makes/models of balloons, including large ride balloons and special shape balloons

Gas balloon rated

Served multiple terms on the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) board, including 5 years as VP

Two terms on the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) board

Multiple terms on the Board of Trustees for the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, including as Chair

Chief Flight and Ground Instructor for one of only two FAA approved Part 141 pilot training schools in the US

Began giving pilot training in 1985

400+ students trained

2000+ hours of flight instruction given

Speaks at safety seminars, other ground schools and civic/school groups

30 + years as FAA certified repairman and 10 years as Chief Inspector for a balloon repair station

Served as an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor since 1992; renamed as FAASTeam -  through 2023

Owner of Airborne Heat, providing pilot instruction, Cameron Balloon sales and pilot services for  corporate programs, including Wells Fargo Bank and Smokey Bear

15 years as Director of Operations and then co-owner of World Balloon, an internationally known balloon services company

Recipient of a BFA Director's Award, the BFA Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, the AAAA Ruppenthal Education Award & the AAAA’s highest honor, the Sid Cutter Award.

First balloon ride in 1981

Been involved with ballooning full time since 1982

Earned Private pilot certificate in 2003

Earned Commercial rating in 2006

Over 900 hours of flight time in hot air balloons

Flown different size balloons from 54,000-310,000 cu ft

Has flown a variety of special shape balloons

Has flown in multiple parts of the United States

Instructed numerous students

Enjoys recreational and competition flying along with sharing knowledge while instructing students

Competed in the 2015 U.S. National Championships

Also flown for corporate programs such as Wells Fargo, RE/MAX ande Bubbas 33

Retired from the Albuquerque Fire Department after serving 20 years

Resident pilot and instructor for multiple BFA Balloon Camps

Active member of AAAA (Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association) and BFA (Balloon Federation of America)

1985 – First balloon ride in Roswell, NM and joined the Chase Crew

1989 – Purchased first balloon system

1990 – In January earned Private Pilot Certificate and in September earned Commercial Pilot Certificate

1990 – Participated in first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as a pilot. Placed 10th overall and named “Rookie of the Year”. Now over 30 consecutive years flying in the Fiesta

1994 – Joined World Balloon Corporation as a Ride Balloon Pilot and Flight Instructor

2004 – Joined Airborne Heat as a Flight Instructor

2009 – Contract pilot for Wells Fargo Bank Balloon Program until 2017

Over 1400 pilot hours and safely flown over 3000 passengers

Either completely trained or shared in the training of over 50 balloon pilots 

Past President and  Vice-President of the Valencia Flying and Retrieval Society (VFRS)

Active member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association and the AAAA Education Foundation.

Member of the Balloon Federation of America

Past Balloonmeister and Safety Officer for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Balloon Rally in Belen, NM featuring up to 100 balloons.