Pilots for the 2011 California Balloon Invitational
California Balloon Invitational Pilot Agreement | |
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"Hare" Balloon
Balloon Name: Take a Chance II
Pilot Name: Jim Wolters
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Capitol Plaza Hotel
Pilot Bio: Jim Wolters started ballooning in 1978. He has been flying for 33 years. Jim has flown indoors at the Capital Plaza Hotel, inside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and inside Marvel Cave in Branson. He has won the Danville Doubles, Great Pershing Balloon Derby, Tulsa Gatesway, Columbia Invitational and New Haven. Jim won his first ever balloon race he participated in, in Springfield, MO. Jim is excited to be a part of the inaugural California Balloon Invitational!
Pilot Name: Jim Wolters
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Capitol Plaza Hotel
Pilot Bio: Jim Wolters started ballooning in 1978. He has been flying for 33 years. Jim has flown indoors at the Capital Plaza Hotel, inside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and inside Marvel Cave in Branson. He has won the Danville Doubles, Great Pershing Balloon Derby, Tulsa Gatesway, Columbia Invitational and New Haven. Jim won his first ever balloon race he participated in, in Springfield, MO. Jim is excited to be a part of the inaugural California Balloon Invitational!
"Hounds" Balloons
Balloon Name: Boomer
Pilot Name: Gary Whitby
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Kenneth Vaughan, Developer
Pilot Bio: The balloon is a FireFly AX7. It carries the Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers logo. Gary owns the franchised rights to the Pepperidge Farm brand in Central Missouri and uses the balloon to help market the Pepperidge Farm products that he sells to retailers. Gary began flying in 1996 and purchased his balloon in 1997. He has flown competition in the US Nationals as well as competed in various events around the country and in Mexico . He said, "the most favorable part of ballooning is making new friends where ever I go and keeping in touch with them throughout the year."
Pilot Name: Gary Whitby
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Kenneth Vaughan, Developer
Pilot Bio: The balloon is a FireFly AX7. It carries the Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers logo. Gary owns the franchised rights to the Pepperidge Farm brand in Central Missouri and uses the balloon to help market the Pepperidge Farm products that he sells to retailers. Gary began flying in 1996 and purchased his balloon in 1997. He has flown competition in the US Nationals as well as competed in various events around the country and in Mexico . He said, "the most favorable part of ballooning is making new friends where ever I go and keeping in touch with them throughout the year."
Balloon Name: Freedom
Pilot Name: Mike Thomas
Hometown: St. Clair, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Burgers' Smokehouse
Pilot Bio: Mike Thomas has more than 15,000 hours of total flight time in aviation combined fixed wing aircraft, hot air balloons and gliders, including over 3,500 hours in hot air balloons. Mike started flying balloons at the age of 9 in 1975 and received his pilot license at the age of 16. Mike has owned and operated over 20 hot air balloons and has flown for Corporations such as OSF Health Plans, Citizens Bank, Independence Radio Group, Bank of Washington and City National Bank. Mike has attended over 2,000 balloon events and participated in the US National Hot-Air Balloon Championship.
Pilot Name: Mike Thomas
Hometown: St. Clair, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Burgers' Smokehouse
Pilot Bio: Mike Thomas has more than 15,000 hours of total flight time in aviation combined fixed wing aircraft, hot air balloons and gliders, including over 3,500 hours in hot air balloons. Mike started flying balloons at the age of 9 in 1975 and received his pilot license at the age of 16. Mike has owned and operated over 20 hot air balloons and has flown for Corporations such as OSF Health Plans, Citizens Bank, Independence Radio Group, Bank of Washington and City National Bank. Mike has attended over 2,000 balloon events and participated in the US National Hot-Air Balloon Championship.
Balloon Name: Aurora (The Roman Goddess of Dawn)
Pilot Name: Herb and Cheri Heriford
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Lutz BBQ
Pilot Bio: Herb and Cheri Heriford have been flying for the PM Printing Hot Air Balloon Team all across the Midwest since 1994. They are excited to bring their balloon "Aurora" (The Roman Goddess of Dawn) to the California Balloon Invitational. It is a TBW Dragonfly AX-7B hot air balloon with 65,000 cubic feet.
Pilot Name: Herb and Cheri Heriford
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Lutz BBQ
Pilot Bio: Herb and Cheri Heriford have been flying for the PM Printing Hot Air Balloon Team all across the Midwest since 1994. They are excited to bring their balloon "Aurora" (The Roman Goddess of Dawn) to the California Balloon Invitational. It is a TBW Dragonfly AX-7B hot air balloon with 65,000 cubic feet.
Balloon Name: Bright Idea
Pilot Name: Ken Schroeder
Hometown: Higginsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Quality Used Cars
Pilot Bio: Ken Schroeder and his Hot Air Balloon "Bright Idea" has been flying
since 1988 as a private pilot and also has the Commercial Pilot rating since 1990. Ken has been named the Balloon Federation of America Hot Air Balloon Champion two times in the state of Missouri. It is a great pleasure to see the smiles and eyes light up on any age of person when they take their balloon ride. Ken says one of the greatest events is
flying at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in St. Louis where he flies the banner for "Childrens Hospital". Over 650 flights are logged for this pilot and his balloon.
Pilot Name: Ken Schroeder
Hometown: Higginsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Quality Used Cars
Pilot Bio: Ken Schroeder and his Hot Air Balloon "Bright Idea" has been flying
since 1988 as a private pilot and also has the Commercial Pilot rating since 1990. Ken has been named the Balloon Federation of America Hot Air Balloon Champion two times in the state of Missouri. It is a great pleasure to see the smiles and eyes light up on any age of person when they take their balloon ride. Ken says one of the greatest events is
flying at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in St. Louis where he flies the banner for "Childrens Hospital". Over 650 flights are logged for this pilot and his balloon.
Balloon Name: Tropical Sunrise
Pilot Name: Brian Carlson
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Balloon Sponsor: First Financial Credit Union
Pilot Bio: Brian has been interested in hot air ballooning since he was 5, and at the age of 22 became a hot air balloon pilot. As of the start of 2011 Brian has logged 200 hours of flight time in hot air balloons. Brian flies at many balloon rallies in Kansas and Missouri throughout the year. Brian's balloon is made by Cameron Balloons and holds 77,000 Cu. Ft. of air.
Pilot Name: Brian Carlson
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Balloon Sponsor: First Financial Credit Union
Pilot Bio: Brian has been interested in hot air ballooning since he was 5, and at the age of 22 became a hot air balloon pilot. As of the start of 2011 Brian has logged 200 hours of flight time in hot air balloons. Brian flies at many balloon rallies in Kansas and Missouri throughout the year. Brian's balloon is made by Cameron Balloons and holds 77,000 Cu. Ft. of air.
Balloon Name: Hocus Pocus
Pilot Name: Tony Goodnow
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Balloon Sponsor: Commerce Bank
Pilot Bio: Tony was the 3rd in his immediate family to earn their pilot's certificate, preceded by his mother Connie, and his father Jerry. He grew up around ballooning, crewing with his family as much as possible and taking his first balloon ride at age 2, beginning his flight training at age 14, and making his first solo flight at age 16. Soon after that he let ballooning take a back seat to being a teenager. He and his wife Julie are getting their 5 children involved in ballooning before their teenage years set in and they realize it isn't "cool" to get up at 5:00 in the morning to hang out in a dew covered field with Mom and Dad.
Tony and Julie hold administrative positions with the Great Plains Balloon Club and they generate the club's monthly newsletter and maintain it's website.
Pilot Name: Tony Goodnow
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Balloon Sponsor: Commerce Bank
Pilot Bio: Tony was the 3rd in his immediate family to earn their pilot's certificate, preceded by his mother Connie, and his father Jerry. He grew up around ballooning, crewing with his family as much as possible and taking his first balloon ride at age 2, beginning his flight training at age 14, and making his first solo flight at age 16. Soon after that he let ballooning take a back seat to being a teenager. He and his wife Julie are getting their 5 children involved in ballooning before their teenage years set in and they realize it isn't "cool" to get up at 5:00 in the morning to hang out in a dew covered field with Mom and Dad.
Tony and Julie hold administrative positions with the Great Plains Balloon Club and they generate the club's monthly newsletter and maintain it's website.
Balloon Name: Freedom
Pilot Name: George Thomas
Hometown: Hallsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Law Office of Ann M. Perry
Pilot Bio: George started ballooning several years ago and obtained his balloon license in 1993. Being a MU graduated and loving the Tigers, he designed his custom black and gold balloon with a Tiger Paw on top called Tiger Paw Express. He has flown it in many states plus Canada and Mexico. He has completed in many balloon rallies. The greatest success was competing against 1,000 other pilots in 1999 and winning the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He has helped train more than a dozen other pilots and flown several commerical balloons. In 2010, he purchased the Freedom balloon. The red/white/blue balloon helps him to enjoy his veteran status and love for his country. George loves ballooning and cherishes the friends that he has made and the places that he has visited. He said, "the real joy of ballooning is sharing the balloon experience and helping to put a smile on someone's face."
Pilot Name: George Thomas
Hometown: Hallsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Law Office of Ann M. Perry
Pilot Bio: George started ballooning several years ago and obtained his balloon license in 1993. Being a MU graduated and loving the Tigers, he designed his custom black and gold balloon with a Tiger Paw on top called Tiger Paw Express. He has flown it in many states plus Canada and Mexico. He has completed in many balloon rallies. The greatest success was competing against 1,000 other pilots in 1999 and winning the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He has helped train more than a dozen other pilots and flown several commerical balloons. In 2010, he purchased the Freedom balloon. The red/white/blue balloon helps him to enjoy his veteran status and love for his country. George loves ballooning and cherishes the friends that he has made and the places that he has visited. He said, "the real joy of ballooning is sharing the balloon experience and helping to put a smile on someone's face."
Balloon Name: St. Louis
Pilot Name: David Rapp
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Balloon Sponsor: AA Propane and Trucking
Pilot Bio: David Rapp has been flying balloons for 29 years and is also qualified to fly airplanes, gliders and blimps. He is a retired FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, past Balloon Federation of America (BFA) president and author of two BFA publications. He is the recipient of the highest BFA and FAA awards for his contributions to ballooning.
Pilot Name: David Rapp
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Balloon Sponsor: AA Propane and Trucking
Pilot Bio: David Rapp has been flying balloons for 29 years and is also qualified to fly airplanes, gliders and blimps. He is a retired FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, past Balloon Federation of America (BFA) president and author of two BFA publications. He is the recipient of the highest BFA and FAA awards for his contributions to ballooning.
Pilot Name: Gary Sines
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Mike Kehoe Ford-Lincoln
Pilot Bio: Gary received his balloon instruction from Tracy Barnes, founder of the Balloonworks in 1972. He now operates Balloonstormers which offers balloon rides, flies corporate balloons, and has three special balloons, Buzzy the Bee, Coco the Clown and World's Biggest Gumball Machining Ballooning. He has flown in France, Puerto Rico, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. But his most memorable was inner Mongolia, China.
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Mike Kehoe Ford-Lincoln
Pilot Bio: Gary received his balloon instruction from Tracy Barnes, founder of the Balloonworks in 1972. He now operates Balloonstormers which offers balloon rides, flies corporate balloons, and has three special balloons, Buzzy the Bee, Coco the Clown and World's Biggest Gumball Machining Ballooning. He has flown in France, Puerto Rico, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. But his most memorable was inner Mongolia, China.
Pilot Name: Jan Sines
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Central Bank
Pilot Bio: Jan and her husband, Gary, have been ballooning since 1972 when they took their first balloon ride with Tracy Barnes, founder of The Balloon Works. They started a commercial ballooning company and flew in 15 states the first year. Ballooning highlights include flying over the Pyramid of the Moon north of Mexico City, placing second in the 9th Ladies World Cup held in Chez Charon , France, and flying in the first balloon race in Inner Mongolia, China. A favorite memory is of landing at a castle in France, having pastries and coffee while in the basket, and flying on.
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Central Bank
Pilot Bio: Jan and her husband, Gary, have been ballooning since 1972 when they took their first balloon ride with Tracy Barnes, founder of The Balloon Works. They started a commercial ballooning company and flew in 15 states the first year. Ballooning highlights include flying over the Pyramid of the Moon north of Mexico City, placing second in the 9th Ladies World Cup held in Chez Charon , France, and flying in the first balloon race in Inner Mongolia, China. A favorite memory is of landing at a castle in France, having pastries and coffee while in the basket, and flying on.
Balloon Name: Lucky Charm
Pilot Name: Denis Sutter
Hometown: Hallsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Something Sassy Salon
Information coming soon.
Pilot Name: Denis Sutter
Hometown: Hallsville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Something Sassy Salon
Information coming soon.
Balloon Name: TJ Toy
Pilot Name: Rick and Karmen Goosey
Balloon Sponsor: California Area Chamber of Commerce and
Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival
Pilot Bio: Rick and Karmen Goosey have been flying hot air balloons since the early 1990's. They said ballooning is a family sport for them. They attend several races throughout the midwest, including Brookfield, Missouri and Creston, Iowa. Their balloon is a TBW AX7B.
Pilot Name: Rick and Karmen Goosey
Balloon Sponsor: California Area Chamber of Commerce and
Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival
Pilot Bio: Rick and Karmen Goosey have been flying hot air balloons since the early 1990's. They said ballooning is a family sport for them. They attend several races throughout the midwest, including Brookfield, Missouri and Creston, Iowa. Their balloon is a TBW AX7B.
Balloon Name: Ozark Flyer
Pilot Name: Dallas Matney
Hometown: Sparta, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Xtreme Body and Paint
Pilot Bio: Dallas and Janet Matney are the owners of this balloon. The balloon is a 1995 Areostart 90,000 cf. double burner. Dallas has been a pilot since September 1999 and has flown in many events, including Alberquerque, New Mexico. They said they love flying over the Ozarks countryside.
Pilot Name: Dallas Matney
Hometown: Sparta, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Xtreme Body and Paint
Pilot Bio: Dallas and Janet Matney are the owners of this balloon. The balloon is a 1995 Areostart 90,000 cf. double burner. Dallas has been a pilot since September 1999 and has flown in many events, including Alberquerque, New Mexico. They said they love flying over the Ozarks countryside.
Balloon Name: Blue Horizons
Pilot Name: John Mountain
Hometown: Oakville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Joyful Expressions
Pilot Bio: John & wife Karen are from St. Louis, MO. John started chasing balloons in 1995 for several local St. Louis pilots. He attended his first Ground School and started taking flying lessons in 1997. In 2003 he earned his private license and joined a Club Balloon partnership. He and wife Karen purchased that club balloon, "Blue Horizons" in 2006 and John earned his commercial license the same year. They enjoy attending small ballooning events in the Midwest area when they can and participating in local events that promote a cause for the benefit of kids. They are excited to particpate in the California Balloon Invitational this year
Pilot Name: John Mountain
Hometown: Oakville, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Joyful Expressions
Pilot Bio: John & wife Karen are from St. Louis, MO. John started chasing balloons in 1995 for several local St. Louis pilots. He attended his first Ground School and started taking flying lessons in 1997. In 2003 he earned his private license and joined a Club Balloon partnership. He and wife Karen purchased that club balloon, "Blue Horizons" in 2006 and John earned his commercial license the same year. They enjoy attending small ballooning events in the Midwest area when they can and participating in local events that promote a cause for the benefit of kids. They are excited to particpate in the California Balloon Invitational this year
Balloon Name: Airhawk
Pilot Name: Steve Libel
Hometown: Bonner Springs, KS
Balloon Sponsor: Midwest Factory Outlet
Pilot Bio: Steve has been ballooning since 1986. Airhawk is the third balloon they have owned. They have attended balloon rallies in six states, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and New Mexico and also attended a rally in Canada. Being a long time Jayhawk fan, Airhawk was built in 2001 by FireFly Balloons, has a volume of 77,000 cubic feet, is 68 feet high and is 25 feet wide. They have attended Alberquerque for 20 years.
Pilot Name: Steve Libel
Hometown: Bonner Springs, KS
Balloon Sponsor: Midwest Factory Outlet
Pilot Bio: Steve has been ballooning since 1986. Airhawk is the third balloon they have owned. They have attended balloon rallies in six states, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and New Mexico and also attended a rally in Canada. Being a long time Jayhawk fan, Airhawk was built in 2001 by FireFly Balloons, has a volume of 77,000 cubic feet, is 68 feet high and is 25 feet wide. They have attended Alberquerque for 20 years.
Balloon Name: Cherry Bomb
Pilot Name: Theron Riley
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Mr. G's
Pilot Bio: Theron has been ballooning for over 30 years. He has owned Cherry Bomb since 1994. He is excited to be participating in the California Balloon Invitational.
Pilot Name: Theron Riley
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Mr. G's
Pilot Bio: Theron has been ballooning for over 30 years. He has owned Cherry Bomb since 1994. He is excited to be participating in the California Balloon Invitational.
Balloon Name: Final Frontier
Pilot Name: Carol Sherman
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Bond Pharmacy
Pilot Bio: Carol has been flying since 1981. She has been involved in ballooning since 1976: crew, spectator, photographer. She inflated her Barnestormer in Kemper Arena at a Comets half time show in 1982. She won 3rd place in Creston, IA in 1987 and won first last year in Topeka. Thanks to Tony Goodnow. She trained her husband, Andy to fly, and said "I only know of Nikki Caplan who accomplished that task." She have been flying Final Frontier since 1999.
She is a full-time artist at KCPT PBS in Kansas City. She won a regional Emmy in 2002 for her work on Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations. Last year, she painted balloons on rocks for the pilot gift at Huff 'n' Puff in Topeka, KS. She also designed the windows for the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, IA.
Pilot Name: Carol Sherman
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Balloon Sponsor: Bond Pharmacy
Pilot Bio: Carol has been flying since 1981. She has been involved in ballooning since 1976: crew, spectator, photographer. She inflated her Barnestormer in Kemper Arena at a Comets half time show in 1982. She won 3rd place in Creston, IA in 1987 and won first last year in Topeka. Thanks to Tony Goodnow. She trained her husband, Andy to fly, and said "I only know of Nikki Caplan who accomplished that task." She have been flying Final Frontier since 1999.
She is a full-time artist at KCPT PBS in Kansas City. She won a regional Emmy in 2002 for her work on Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations. Last year, she painted balloons on rocks for the pilot gift at Huff 'n' Puff in Topeka, KS. She also designed the windows for the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, IA.
Pilot Name: Amanda Sabia
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Balloon Sponsor: New Beginnings Family Worship Center
Pilot Bio: Amanda Sabia is one of the driving forces behind Kansas City AeroSports. Also a commercial hot air balloon pilot with 200 hours of flight time nationwide, Amanda has skillfully competed at local and national ballooning events. Amanda also has hundreds of hours of professional crewing experience in high-profile corporate, competition, and passenger flight settings. Her real estate background brings marketing expertise and community ties to all their ballooning activities.
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Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Balloon Sponsor: New Beginnings Family Worship Center
Pilot Bio: Amanda Sabia is one of the driving forces behind Kansas City AeroSports. Also a commercial hot air balloon pilot with 200 hours of flight time nationwide, Amanda has skillfully competed at local and national ballooning events. Amanda also has hundreds of hours of professional crewing experience in high-profile corporate, competition, and passenger flight settings. Her real estate background brings marketing expertise and community ties to all their ballooning activities.
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Pilot Name: Alan Lawson
Hometown: Branson, MO
Balloon Sponsor: California Veterinary Clinic
Pilot Bio: My name is Alan Lawson, my family and I love to travel around to different Balloon events to see and fly around new areas of the country, meeting and making friends as we go. We call the Branson Mo. are our home. Looking forward to meeting everyone in California Missouri.
Hometown: Branson, MO
Balloon Sponsor: California Veterinary Clinic
Pilot Bio: My name is Alan Lawson, my family and I love to travel around to different Balloon events to see and fly around new areas of the country, meeting and making friends as we go. We call the Branson Mo. are our home. Looking forward to meeting everyone in California Missouri.