Our 2023 Pilot Lineup!
We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2023 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 July 2023, we have 29 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized.
Competitor: #24
Pilot: Chris Monk
From: Meare Sommerset UK
Attended: 2023
A Man of Many Balloons
Balloon: Bella the Bulldog
Call Letters: G-OWOF
Type: Cameron Z105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Special Shape
Round of A Paws
Bella is excited to be joining Buster the Bulldog at this year's Festival.
Competitor: #25
Pilot: Peter Van Overwalle
From: Eke, Belgium & Ennis MT USA
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023
World Traveller
Peter Van Overwalle's journey to become a pilot started as a passenger in 1997. The next step was crewing in 1998 and then received his pilot's license in 1999. He flew commercially in Belgium for 12 years until family business matters required more of his time. Peter has 1100 hours in his log book with flying a range of balloons from a cloudhopper to 300,000 cubic feet. Ballooning has taken Peter around the world having flown in 20 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.
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: #26
Pilot: Gary Moore
From: Lake Havasu City AZ USA
Attended: 2023
Balloon: Owlbert Eyenstein
Call Letters: N47OWL
Type: Valdemir Taviera N18
Size (volume): 120000
Category: Special Shape
Balloon: Darkside 2020
Call Letters: N720DS
Type: Kubicek BB34Z
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #27
Pilot: Carolyn Lee
From: Belmont ON
Attended: 2023
Love of Above
Balloon: Remax
Call Letters: C-GBIQ
Type: Sundance Balloons SBA90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
World Renowned
At seven stories tall, the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon grabs attention wherever it flies.
Competitor: #28
Pilot: Benoit Lambert
From: Court St Etienne Belgium
Attended: 2023
Balloon: Darth Vader
Call Letters: OO-BQZ
Type: Cameron
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #29
Pilot: Jerry Elkins
From: Eureka NV USA
Attended: 2018, 2022, 2023
The all-American pilot
Jerry Elkins started flying balloons in 1979 and made a living as a traveling balloon barnstormer for 25 years. In 2015, he became the first balloon pilot to have flown in all 50 states in the USA. Jerry is the second of four generations of Elkin balloon pilots. He has enjoyed many adventures and met many amazing people during his 40 plus years as a balloon pilot.
Balloon: Hope on Fire
Call Letters: 4505N
Type: Cameron O77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #30
Pilot: Brant Leatherdale
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Local Flyer
Brant Leatherdale is a pilot from Calgary where he lives with his wife, Tara, and children and is self-employed. Brant mainly flies in Western Canada and has attended major ballooning events in the USA and Mexico. Having attended every Festival since 2013, Brant is looking forward to flying the skies over High River again this year.
Balloon: Kiss the Sky
Call Letters: C-FRQV
Type: Kubicheck
Size (volume): 250000
Category: Sport
