Pilots

Our 2024 Pilot Lineup!

We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2024 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. Not only do we have our local pilots, we have representation from across Alberta, BC through Ontario. We anticipate our international friends from the United States, United Kingdom, and Belgium will be able to participate again this year.

Enjoy becoming familiar with the pilots and their balloons so you'll know who is in the sky when we fly. As of August 2024, we have 22 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized. 

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  • Competitor: #12

  • Pilot: Jamie Kinghorn

  • From: High River AB

  • Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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Firefly

Jamie Kinghorn caught the "Firefly Bug" on his very first flight in July 1988 and began crewing the next day. Pilot training began in March 1989 and he was signed off as a pilot in May 1989. Jamie has flown in every Canadian Championship since 1992 where he was awarded Rookie of the Year. Ballooning has taken Jamie across Canada and the US as well as Belgium, Japan, and Thailand. The 2013 Heritage Inn Canadian Championship in High River inspired Jamie to continue growing the Festival in High River for years to come. 

  • Balloon: Eye of RA

  • Call Letters: C-GRAA

  • Type: Bill Whelan AX8

  • Size (volume): 90000

  • Category: Sport

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Eye in the Sky

Eye of RA had a double-first with a first flight and first Festival appearance in 2020. Watch for The Eye in the Sky with a skirt and Firefly basket throughout this year's Festival.

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  • Competitor: #13

  • Pilot: Dale W. Ritchie

  • From: Golden BC

  • Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

HIIBF 2020 - Dale Ritchie

5 Time Canadian Hot Air Balloon Champion

Dale Ritchie has been a licensed balloon pilot since 1978 when he flew for sport, then began flying commercially in 1979. In 43 years of flying, Dale as over 4500 hours in the air noted in his log book. He has balloon licenses in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom and has flown in 8 countries. As a Certified Flight Instructor, Dale has trained many pilots over the years and is a balloon Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

  • Balloon: Emily

  • Call Letters: C-FJAV

  • Type: Sundance SBA77

  • Size (volume): 77000

  • Category: Sport

HIIBF 2020 - Dale Ritchie: Emily

World Traveler

Emily was built in 2006 and made her inaugural flight in Motegi, Japan at the 2006 World Hot Air Balloon Championship. Over the past 15 years she has flown at a number of festivals and competitions for the last fifteen years. You may recognize Emily as a familiar face from past Festivals in High River.

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  • Competitor: #14a

  • Pilot: Scott Gordon

  • From: High River AB

  • Attended: 2023, 2024

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Festival Magic

Scott Gordon, one of the newest Balloon Pilots residing in High River Alberta, found his passion for flying at the 2020 HIIBF 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.

  • Competitor: #14b

  • Pilot: Brent Gordon

  • From: High River AB

  • Attended: 2023, 2024

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Fly and Fix Balloons

Brent Gordon got involved with hot air ballooning in 2013 at the first HIIBF and has since crewed for pilots from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada. During 2020/2021, Brent took his flight training in Ottawa with Bill Whelan, completed his solo flight in February 2021, and became a balloon pilot in October 2021. Brent holds an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) license with helicopter endorsements. He completed the Hot Air Balloon endorsement in June 2022. Brent enjoys flying with his son and fellow pilot, Scott across Alberta skies.

  • Balloon: Magic Moments

  • Call Letters: C-GNHB

  • Type: Bill Whalen AX8

  • Size (volume): 90000

  • Category: Special

Magic Moments hot air balloon
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  • Competitor: #15

  • Pilot: Del Michaud

  • From: Calgary AB

  • Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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Mountain Man

Del Michaud is just shy of his piloting golden anniversary of piloting having received his license in 1974. He has competed in several Canadian Balloon Championships and is a former Canadian Balloon Champion. Del's skills are known on the world stage as well. He has flown internationally in 15 countries and represented Canada at 6 World Balloon Championships. Two of Del's most unique ballooning experiences have been flying in the Canadian Rockies and the Swiss Alps.

  • Balloon: Duke of Earle

  • Call Letters: C-GTEI

  • Type: Cameron  N-105

  • Size (volume): 105000

  • Category: Sport

Duke of Earl hot air balloon
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  • Competitor: #16

  • Pilot: Willy Taillon

  • From: Medicine Hat AB

  • Attended: 2022, 2023, 2024

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Rising to a Challenge

Willy Taillon got into hot air ballooning in 2020 after looking for something challenging and different to do with his time. While living in Medicine Hat, he found his instructor, fellow Festival pilot Del Michaud, over the phone through the Calgary Balloon Club. Willy began his pilot training in summer 2020 and became a certified hot air balloon pilot in May 2021. After attending his first hot air balloon gathering, he realized how “uplifting” it felt to be in a setting that brought such joy to so many. Will is excited to be flying in his first Festival.

  • Balloon: Dolly

  • Call Letters: C-GPEG

  • Type: 

  • Size (volume): 

  • Category: Sport

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  • Competitor: #17

  • Pilot: Paul Burrows

  • From: Bristol North Somerset UK

  • Attended: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024

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The Special Shapes Guy

Paul has been flying balloons since 1991. Currently specializing in flying special shapes he also has experience flying passenger rides in the UK and aerial advertising across the globe. Currently working as managing director of Lighter Than Air Ltd, Paul also has experience organizing both hot air balloon events and air shows around the world. When not flying Paul enjoys working on the family farm in the small village of Nempnett, Thrubwell.

  • Balloon: Buster the Bulldog

  • Call Letters: G-OPAW

  • Type: Cameron Z105

  • Size (volume): 105000

  • Category: Special Shape

Buster the Bulldog hot air balloon
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  • Competitor: #18

  • Pilot: Ian Martin

  • From: Bristol North Somerset UK

  • Attended: 

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All Things Ballooning

Ian Martin took his first balloon flight in 1987 then got his pilot license in 1990. His has been crew, pilot, commercial crew, and commercial pilot as well as involved in Richard Branson’s Global Challenge. Ian has flown lots of special shapes and for 10 years has been the Director and choreographer of the night glow at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. He also flies the largest passenger ride balloons in the UK a commercial aerial display company. Ian finds nothing better than sharing the excitement of those enjoying their first balloon flight or enjoying the views.

  • Balloon: Bella the Bulldog

  • Call Letters: G-OWOF

  • Type: Cameron Z105

  • Size (volume): 105000

  • Category: Special Shape

Bella the Bulldog hot air balloon
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  • Competitor: #19

  • Pilot: Cliff Skocdopole

  • From: Condor AB

  • Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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BALLOONATIC!

Cliff Skocdopole's love of hot air ballooning began with a Father's Day ride in 2009. By early 2010, Cliff received his pilot's license. Cliff has flown in the Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championships as well as the Worlds in 2018. Cliff and Sheri, his wife of over 35 years, have travelled to numerous festivals across Canada, the USA and internationally. Cliff loves ballooning for the peaceful times in the air, being at the mercy of the wind, bringing smiles to faces and meeting great people.

  • Balloon: Northern FLights

  • Call Letters: C-GHOT

  • Type: Kubicek BB26XR

  • Size (volume): 90000

  • Category: Racer

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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.

  • Balloon: Redee N Willing

  • Call Letters: C-FHIA

  • Type: Sundance SBA90

  • Size (volume): 90000

  • Category: Sport

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The Red Balloon

Redee N Willing is one of several balloons in Cliff's collection and one of two balloons he will be flying in the Festival this year. Spotting her on the ground and in the sky won't be difficult.

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  • Competitor: #20

  • Pilot: Dale Lang

  • From: Taber AB

  • Attended: 

HIIBF 2020 - Dale Lang

Lived To Tell Many Tales

Dale Lang began flying in 1974. He became the First Canadian Hot Air Balloon Champion in 1979 then flew the first hot air balloon over the North Pole in 1980. He was the first Canadian Balloon Association President and Canadian Director of Sales for the Balloon Works, and has trained several famous pilots including Canada's first female balloon pilot, Joan Martin. Dale has had the "sporting" excitement of landing a balloon at over 60 km/h on two occasions and lived to tell the tale. Most importantly, no one has ever been hurt in a balloon he was flying.

  • Balloon: Jelly Bean

  • Call Letters: C-FWEO

  • Type: 

  • Size (volume): 

  • Category: Sport

HIIBF 2020 - Dale Lang: Jelly Bean
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  • Competitor: #21

  • Pilot: Alain Bard

  • From: Ottawa ON

  • Attended: 2021, 2024

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Lifelong Flyer

Alain Bard's has been a flying enthusiast all his life. Building model aircraft and kites as a young boy turned into building hot air balloons and baskets from scratch. His 4 special shapes designs are a rocket ship, Christmas deer, polar bear, and tiger. Alain is licensed to pilot paragliders, power paragliders, and since 2009, hot air balloons. In addition to flying many festivals across Canada and the US, Alain has flown in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Taiwan, Philippines and New Zealand. 

  • Balloon: Météo

  • Call Letters: C-GVUV

  • Type: Bard Balloons

  • Size (volume): 94000

  • Category: Special Shape

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  • Competitor: #22

  • Pilot: Daniel Lazaro

  • From: Belmont ON

  • Attended: 2024

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Paraglider and Pilot

Daniel Lazaro is a paragliding pilot, and learned about the world of balloons through a friend who is also a paragliding and balloon pilot in Spain. He started working as a crew about seven years ago and in 2022 obtained his balloon pilot license. Daniel has since left his previous job as a physical education teacher and currently works as a pilot for Sundance Balloons.

  • Balloon: Remax

  • Call Letters: C-GBIQ

  • Type: 

  • Size (volume): 

  • Category: Sport

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