About the Pilot

Nice to meet you! I have been involved with Hot Air Ballooning ever since I could remember. My Grand Parents crewed for a fellow by the name of Rocky in South Bend, IN. Every day that was flyable Rocky would fly over our house. All the neighborhood kids would yell up with greetings. I knew one day I’d want to fly balloons. At the age of 16 I chased down a local balloon pilot from Elkhart, IN. As fate would have it his name was Paul too. (Quandee) He asked me to travel out to another balloon pilot’s house (Harry Goertz) the following weekend.

The day was May 2nd, 2002, my 16th birthday. Paul and Harry set up their balloons and off they went. About half way through the flight, Paul landed his balloon in a corn field and told me to meet him at the basket. I left the driver to himself in the chase vehicle and ran out to the basket. Paul had his wife get out of the basket and me get in. I’ll never forget his words “Let’s see how you do with heights!” In what seemed like no time at all we were up at 2000 feet! I was a little nervous, but fell in love with the sky!

From then on I crewed for Paul for 2 years all over the Mid-West; Iowa, Michigan, Indiana. When I turned 18 and had learned the ropes, Paul started teaching me how to fly! I had started college at Indiana State University by this time, studying Professional Aviation Flight Technology and Aerospace Administration. Due to 2 Bachelor’s degrees and working the summers to pay for college, I spent the next 5 years 2004-2009 gaining aviation experience and flight ratings.

I hold a Commercial Airplane, Balloon, and Instrument Ratings. As well as a Private rating for Sea planes and a handful of Endorsements for High powered aircraft and unusual attitude. During my early years of college, I saved up enough money from a summer job to purchase my first balloon. This is the balloon I fly today. After replacing the top half of the balloon in August of 2013, due to the 30 year old fabric deteriorating, the balloon has been updated to a more conventional system.

I have over 600 hours of fixed wing and lighter than air time. I currently have 2-3 students I am training to fly balloons. I worked for an airline in the Indianapolis area full time as an aircraft dispatcher and I run my business in my free time. I am now an air traffic controller in the Indianapolis area. I have a 100% safety record and I am constantly involved with the commercial aviation world. I love aviation, flying, ballooning, and all aspects of the industry. Ballooning is one of my many passions that my family and I enjoy. I would love to share my experience with you. If you want to crew, go for a flight, learn to fly, or whatever; give me a call or e-mail.

Hoist the Colours LLC

Danville, IN 46122

317-666-5627

HoistTheColoursFelty@gmail.com