Balloon Festival Pilots

Bob Martel Celtic Magic	Celtic Magic is a Lindstrand 77,000 cu.ft. balloon, decorated with an invisible shamrock in the center. Bob has been involved in ballooning since 1984, and has been a balloon pilot for seven years. He first caught the “ballooning bug” when a balloon landed in his Sudbury neighborhood in 1968. Bob flies primarily for fun, flying locally and attending a few festivals in the region. Bob has been a corporate balloon pilot for Digital Credit Union and, on occasion, is a contract pilot for REMAX balloon events in New England. As a commercial balloon pilot, Bob also offers private champagne flights for two in central Massachusetts. Hot air balloon ride reservations can be made at www.bostonhotairballoonrides.com.
Dave Brien Tia's Tuition	Dave has been into ballooning for almost twenty years (when a hot air balloon happen to land in my yard). He's crewed for ten years and then took lessons for three and then got his license and built his balloon seven years ago. Dave's daughter was very sad to learn of the balloon's name (Tia's Tuition), thinking she would never go to college. Dave has had fun with this name and meeting new people every time he flies.
Eric Nickerson Flame2	Flame2 colors represent the propane flame that keeps us aloft. The valve on top represents the water droplets that come off the burner and bits of carbon/grass that burn and sparkle. Flame2 was built in Statesville NC in 2004, she is 90,000 cubic feet of air, powered by a single burner of 25 million BTU’s/hr.
Ron Cassidy Loafer	Loafer is a Lindstrand manufactured 90,000 cubic foot balloon. The balloon is flown by Ron Cassidy of Candia, NH. Ron Operates a hot air balloon repair station in Candia NH.
Dr. Joe Schwerman Buttercup	Joe is from Queensbury, NY. He is an instrument rated fixed wing pilot and a balloon pilot as well.
Mark Donahue Happy Camper	The Happy Camper is a Lindstrand AX77. Mark is from Queensbury NY, Home of the Adirondack Balloon Festival which he helps to organize.
Keith & Debbie Sproul Indecision	Registration N-73KX Home built balloon, manufactured in 2004 Keith is a Hot Air Balloon Pilot, Special Shapes Pilot and has the following memberships: BFA AOPA EAA GEBA Ham Radio WU2Z ksproul@skychariot.com Website http://www.skychariot.com
David Lopushinsky Wicked	In 1984 Dave’s wife, Leslie, bought him his first balloon ride for their first wedding anniversary. When they moved to Ottawa in 1987 they began crewing for various pilots and he served as Launch Director at Gatineau Festival for many years. In 2004, Dave started work on building Wicked in his living room. As of January 2005, he had finished Wicked and in the next few months completed the test flights. Since he got my pilot’s license in 2006, he has flown in several Festivals in Gatineau (Quebec), Sussex (New Brunswick), St. Jean (Quebec), Mancos (Colorado), Presque Isle (Maine), Albuquerque (New Mexico), Gander (Newfoundland), Chambley-Bussieres AB (France) and, of course, Hudson, MA.
Gary Morgan Gary’s Balloon	Gary’s Balloon is a Lindstrand 90 built in October 2003 at the Galena, Illinois factory. It holds 90,000 cubic feet and can lift the pilot plus two or three passengers. Gary started ballooning in 1978 at the University of Houston when he took an evening course on Hot Air Ballooning. He flies as a hobby at festivals all over the U.S. and with friends at home. On occasion he’ll donate a ride for a local charity. The balloon was named one day when someone asked one of my crew what it was called. They referred the person to me because, after all, they said: "it's Gary's Balloon". The name stuck. Now he has Gary’s trailer, Gary’s crew, Gary’s RV, Gary’s kids, Gary’s van, etc. Oh, and occasionally, he have Gary's fault! Getting started in ballooning is easy. Just hang around us and become part of the crew. You may get hooked.
Ronald Thorntonp Peanuts 4Ever	In 1975, Ron’s co-worker wanted to do a hang glider drop from his hot air balloon, but needed another pilot to fly the balloon. Six months later Ron had his license and first balloon. They made four hang glider drops before Ron retired as “tow balloon” pilot. Ron has over 1100 hours in hot air balloons, a fixed-wing rating and a few minutes at the controls of a blimp. In 1978, Ron co-developed the first certified night-lights (article in Balloon Life, July 1992) in time to fly the first Dawn Patrol at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta that year.
Mark Stodolski Destination Unknown	Mark has been involved in ballooning since his first tether ride in 1976. Mark named his balloon Destination Unknown because the most common question balloonists are asked is "where will you land". Destination Unknown is a Lindstrand 77,000 cubic foot balloon.
Rick Jones Footloose	Footloose was built by Cameron Balloons in 2003. It is a cloudhopper balloon with no basket, just a seat for the pilot who flies solo. As a small, lightweight balloon it is easy and fun to fly. Learn more about cloudhoppers and ballooning at our website: www.blastvalve.com.
Uli Krahenbuhl N970CB	Uli has been flying balloons since 1996 all over the world: USA, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, France, Brazil. Uli’s company Blaser Swisslube is a big sponsor of corporate balloons. Every employee of our company can become a balloon pilot paid by the company. Blaser Swisslube has a total of 14 balloons including a special shape drum built by Ron Cassidy.
Dick Varney Destiny	I have been flying balloons since 1991. We offer commercial rides in the Brookfield's area. Our website is www.AerialAdventuresUSA.com and phone number is 508-867-2008 I got into ballooning because I had a fear of heights and I challenged myself... plus my wife had bought a gift certificate with Dr. Thomas and she was going to give it away if I didn't use it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rudi Sachenbacher Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds	Rudi’s involvement with the sport of hot air ballooning goes back to the late 1970s. After many years spent as a crew member for local New England pilots, he purchased his own balloon (LooneyTune) in 1996. Ten years later he purchased Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was created to celebrate free spirits everywhere. The balloon’s artistry and color were supplied by Dr. Jonathan Wolf (www.skydyes.net) of Albuquerque, NM, and crafted by Lindstrand Balloons USA in Galena, IL. Rudi resides in New England and participates in festivals throughout the USA, Canada and Europe.