Our 2025 Pilot Lineup!
We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2025 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. Not only do we have our local pilots, we have representation from across Alberta, BC through Quebec. Our international friends from the United States, United Kingdom, and Belgium are participating again this year as well.
Enjoy becoming familiar with the pilots and their balloons so you'll know who is in the sky when we fly. As of August 2025, we have 25 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized.
Competitor: #1
Pilots: Cathy Dudgeon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Sequins of Events
Cathy's love of ballooning began in the 1980's but she focused on her teaching career. In 2013, the Festival came to High River and Cathy volunteered as a crew member. She became hooked all over again and earned her pilot's license in March 2021. Known for her sequin vests and disco ball trailer, Cathy believes life's too short not to sparkle. She extends her passion to education by incorporating ballooning into her teaching in creative ways. Her favorite places to fly include High River and Drumheller, where the coulees remind her of her Medicine Hat.
Balloon: Maryann's Treat
Call Letters: C-FRMN
Type: Cameron O-77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
A Dream Come True
Maryann's Treat is named in honour of Cathy's mother, Maryann. With the support of friends, family and the ballooning community, Cathy used the inheritance from her mother to purchase well-used but still well-loved equipment to pursue her dream of learning to fly a balloon. Be sure to note Maryann's Treat call letters so you can identify her in the sky. She is the older twin of another balloon in the Festival.
Competitor: #2
Pilot: Jennifer Podruski
From: High River AB
Attended: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Up in the Air
Jenn was introduced to hot air ballooning when she crewed at a 2014 event. The pilot took her up for her first flight and she was hooked. She pursued her pilot's license in 2017 and purchased her balloon "Louie" that October. When not ballooning, Jenn works as a Paramedic and Pet Groomer, spending time with her family and three black labs. She enjoys the people she meets at events, the friendships created, and the adventure of not knowing where she'll land. Jenn welcomes everyone to say hello when they see her flying.
Balloon: Louie
Call Letters: C-FVEN
Type: Aerosport RX7
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Sport
On That Ship, I Dream
Louie and Jenn have been partners in the sky since October 2017. Wave and say "Hi!" when you see the colour splash in the air or at the Balloon Glow.
Competitor: #3
Pilot: Brant Leatherdale
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Local Flyer
Brant knew he would become a balloon pilot after his first flight in 2003. Licensed in 2007, he is now a Flight Instructor and Commercial Pilot. Brant enjoys sharing ballooning with passengers, children, and new students. His most heartwarming moments have been building memories with his family. His wife Tara is also licensed, and their children plan to follow suit. The Heritage Inn Balloon Festival provides Brant with opportunities to build friendships, create memories, and contribute to the sport he loves.
Balloon: Kiss the Sky
Call Letters: C-FRQV
Type: Kubicheck
Size (volume): 250000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #4
Pilot: Shane Lockyer
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Next Generation
Shane completed his pilot license in 2017 and has over 325 flight hours. Following his father's footsteps, Shane is also a flight instructor with night rating and an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensed to repair balloons. In 2021, he placed 8th at the Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championship in his first competition. Shane built his own "cloud hopper" balloon from scratch in 2022. His favorite places to fly include Drumheller and areas with interesting terrain. Shane lives in Calgary with his wife Emma.
Balloon: Bluebird
Call Letters: C-GHBL
Type: Cameron O77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #5
Pilot: Scott Gordon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2023, 2024, 2025
Festival Magic
Scott, one of the newest balloon pilots in High River, found his passion during the 2020 Festival after his first ride. He began lessons shortly after and completed his first solo flight in February 2021 alongside Cathy Dudgeon and his father, Brent Gordon. Scott has two hot air balloons, Black Magic and Magic Moments, and flies them as often as he can. Scott has helped organize the Arizona Balloon Classic Balloon Festival for the last three years.
Balloon: Magic Moments
Call Letters: C-GNHB
Type: Bill Whalen AX8
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Special
Competitor: #6
Pilot: David Gleed
From: Coldstream BC
Attended: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
Man of the Air
David is an "old guy" of ballooning in Canada. He started ballooning in 1980 and bought his first balloon two years later. An airplane pilot since 1971, David retired as Captain after 36 years of flying worldwide. He owned a commercial balloon business in BC and flew in numerous countries around the world. His most memorable flying locations are Red Rock State Park and Wadi Rum, Jordan. David won the Canadian Championships three times and the FAI Pacific Champion title. He served on the Canadian Balloon Association Board, for over 30 years.
Balloon: Pegasus
Call Letters: C-GXLU
Type:
Size (volume):
Category: Sport
Competitor: #7
Pilot: Del Michaud
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Mountain Man
Del started ballooning in 1974 and was one of the first three balloonists in Western Canada. He is one of only two Canadian balloonists with 50 years in the sport. Del has flown in 15 countries and was one of the first to fly in South Korea and Taiwan. A former Canadian Balloon Champion, he represented Canada in six World Championships, with best placings of 4th and two 9ths. His most memorable experiences were flying in the Rocky Mountains and Swiss Alps. Though retired, Del remains active in the sport that has defined half his life.
Balloon: Duke of Earl
Call Letters: C-GTEI
Type: Cameron N-105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #8
Pilot: Michael King
From: Sandia Park NM USA
Attended: 2022, 2023, 2025
The "Southern Canadian"
Mike King’s caught the balloon bug late in life. A former US Air Force Fighter pilot, he was innocently lured into harmless crewing by his Canadian friends, the Skocdopoles and Clarks. The next thing Mike knew, he was a full-fledged BALLOONATIC like his friends. Mike and and his bride Donna try to fly most weekends, enjoying the camaraderie of the ballooning community and meeting the enthusiastic fans at balloon events.
Balloon: Upsy Daisy
Call Letters: N270VT
Type: Cameron US O-90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Uplifting Experience
Just like the words of encouragement said to children, Upsy Daisy is a big, bright daisy in the sky soaring and lifting spirits everywhere.
Competitor: #9a / #9b
Pilots: Linda & Walt Then
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Five Decades of Ballooning
Walt and Linda live in Calgary. Walt started ballooning in 1980 and earned his pilot's license in 1982. Linda began crewing that same year and became a licensed pilot in 1990. They flew their first balloon, Big Toy, for 30 years before flying Big Toy II at High River in 2017. Walt worked as a mechanic and commercial balloon pilot, while Linda maintains her AME license after retirement. Though they've traveled widely for ballooning, they now enjoy local Alberta events, especially their annual October gathering in Raven, complete with a costume party.
Balloon: Big Toy II
Call Letters: C-GTHE
Type: Cameron O77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
A Big Toy Box
Big Toy II has flown at the Festival since 2017, replacing her predecessor Big Toy who retired after 30 years of flying.
Competitor: #10
Pilot: Willy Taillon
From: Medicine Hat AB
Attended: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Rising to a Challenge
Willy, a proud born and raised Hatter, began pilot training in September 2020 and became licensed in May 2021. Willy is excited to participate in the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, sharing his passion while flying over beautiful landscapes. In just a few years, he has traveled to many festivals and continues to learn from the experienced pilots he meets.
Balloon: Dolly
Call Letters: C-GPEG
Type: Cameron A105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #11
Pilot: Brigitte "Brie" Johnstone
From: Manotick ON
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Happened One Christmas
Brie was bitten by the ballooning bug after being gifted a champagne flight for Christmas. She purchased a balloon, hired an instructor, and became a pilot in 1992. A physiotherapist when not flying, Brie has attended many Canadian festivals. In 2014, she built her owl balloon with Bill Whelan and Sandra Rolfe. Since then she has helped build many other special shape balloons. She is pleased to bring her hot pink special shape "Zensational" to this year's Festival.
Balloon: Zensational
Call Letters: C-FHPZ
Type: Bill Whelan AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Special Shape
