Our 2026 Pilot Lineup!
We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2026 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. Not only do we have our local pilots, we have representation from across Alberta, BC, and Ontario. 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 2026, we have over 20 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized.
Competitor: #12
Pilot: Brant Leatherdale
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: #13
Pilot: Matt Ellard
From: Nanton AB
Attended: 2026
Balloon: Old Blue
Call Letters: C-GVOH
Type: Cameron AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #14
Pilot: Michael King
From: Sandia Park NM USA
Attended: 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026
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: #15
Pilot: Cliff Skocdopole
From: Condor AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
BALLOONATIC!
Cliff became a pilot in 2010 after a Father's Day gift flight. Their balloon features Aurora Borealis photos taken by Sheri, with the main image captured at Cliff's grandparents' farm and the vent showing a full moon. Ballooning has taken the couple to events across North America and internationally. Keep an eye to the sky for "Northern FLights" and say hello when you spot them!
Balloon: Northern FLights
Call Letters: C-GHOT
Type: Kubicek BB26XR
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Racer
Glowing Sky
Northern FLights is the newest hot air balloon in Cliff's collection and one of two balloons flying in the Festival. Also note Northern FLights' slender profile indicative of a racer.
Competitor: #16
Pilot: Del Michaud
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: #17
Pilot: Shane Lockyer
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: Starburst
Call Letters: C-GUPB
Type: Cameron 90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #18
Pilot: Peter Van Overwalle
From: Eke, Belgium & Ennis MT USA
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
World Traveller
Peter had his first passenger flight in Belgium in 1997, began crewing in 1998, and became a pilot in 1999. He flew commercially in Belgium for 12 years. Princess Nelly is his third Elephant head balloon. Peter has flown in 20 countries across five continents, accumulating 1,100 hours on various balloons. He loves making children smile with his pink elephant balloon.
Balloon: Princess Nelly
Call Letters: N917PN
Type: Kubichek BB30Z
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Special Shape
Princess Nelly
Princess Nelly will brighten the skies with her bright pink complexion, goofy smile, and big silver crown. She is the youngest, but most regal sister of Nelly (grey) and Nelly B (pink).
Competitor: #19
Pilot: Paul Burrows
From: Bristol North Somerset UK
Attended: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
The Special Shapes Guy
Paul Burrows has been flying balloons since 1991, specializing in special shapes. He has experience with passenger rides in the UK and aerial advertising globally. As managing director of Lighter Than Air Ltd, Paul organizes balloon events and air shows worldwide. When not flying, he works on his family farm in Nempnett Thrubwell.
Balloon: Buster the Bulldog
Call Letters: G-OPAW
Type: Cameron Z105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #20
Pilots: Bill Whelan
From: Vankleek Hill ON
Attended: 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Believe
Bill Whelan and Sandra Rolfe Whelan are a long time balloonist and life duo who recently married. Bill has been involved in balloon aviation for 40 years and Sandra for 30 years. Sandra is a renowned extreme balloonist, holding 57 Canadian and 3 world records. With Bill in charge of transportation and moral support, Sandra is breaking new records after a devastating stroke in 2015. Told she would never walk or talk again, today Sandra can walk, talk, drive, and fly using accessible devices. Sandra and Bill spread the message Aphasia is a loss of words, not intellect.
Balloon: Aphasia Word Warrior
Call Letters: C-GXHF
Type: Bill Whelan AX7
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Special Shape
Balloon with a Mission
Aphasia Word Warrior is a special balloon built from the heart. Their mission is to raise awareness that APHASIA… is A LOSS OF WORDS… NOT INTELLECT. Designed by a 15 year old in 15 minutes on an iPhone, Aphasia was built without the aid of a computer. Aphasia Word Warrior AX 7 used 1000yds, 900M with all the extra for the face guard and head gear.
Competitor: #21
Pilot: Brigitte "Brie" Johnstone
From: Manotick ON
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: CJ Koala Bear
Call Letters: C-GAVY
Type: Bill Whelan AX7
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Special Shape
