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: HARE (#1)
Pilot: Dale W. Ritchie
From: Golden BC
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
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
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.
Balloon: Yoda
Call Letters: G-CIIE / P-HIIE
Type: Cameron Z56
Size (volume): 106000
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #2
Pilot: Jennifer Podruski
From: High River AB
Attended: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Up in the Air
Jenn Podruski was introduced to hot air ballooning when she crewed at the 2014 Festival. The pilot took her up for her first flight and she was hooked. She pursued her pilot's license in 2017 and returned to the Festival as a pilot in 2018. When not on-call as a paramedic, Jenn has flown from various small towns across Alberta as well as Montana, BC and in 2019, the "Super Bowl" of ballooning at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. In August 2021, Jenn flew in her first competitive event at the Canadian National Championships Quebec.
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: Graham Luckett
From: Fort Collins CO USA
Attended: 2023
Unusual sights
Graham Luckett began flying balloons in 1980 and became a licensed pilot in 1982. He has been a commercial balloon pilot for 34 years. Originally from England, UK, Graham has called Fort Collins, Colorado his home for the last 30 years. Graham feels fortunate to have flown in 19 different countries and attend balloon festivals around the world. His most favourite place to fly has been Kenya. Watching the annual wildebeest migration from the air is truly memorable.
Balloon: Tally Ho II
Call Letters: N42UK
Type: Cameron A105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Sport
Target sighted in the sky
Tally Ho II is an easy target to spot in the sky being a 105 with it's bright mulit-coloured envelope. Tally Ho II has a sister balloon, a single-seat, pilot-only cloudhopper, aptly named Tally Hopper.
Competitor: #4
Pilot: Shane Lockyer
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Next Generation
Shane Lockyer grew up around hot air balloons with his dad being a pilot as well. Since getting his pilot's license in 2017 he has flown over 300 hours. In 2021, Shane placed 8th at the Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championship in Quebec. He is also a Flight Instructor and is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) for Hot Air Balloons. Shane lives in Calgary with his wife, Emma.
Balloon: Prism
Call Letters: C-FZIN
Type: Thunder and Colt 77B
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Balloon of Many Colours
Prism is a beautiful barn find rainbow coloured 1992 Thunder and Colt Bulilt 77,000 cubic foot balloon. The distinctive shape and double rainbow of colours makes it easy to spot in the sky.
Competitor: #5
Pilot: Brent Gordon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2023
Fly and Fix Balloons
Brent Gordon is one of the newest High River hometown pilots. He 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 and completed his solo flight in February 2021. Brent holds an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) license with helicopter endorsements. He recently completed the Hot Air Balloon endorsement through Transport Canada.
Balloon: Black Magic
Call Letters: C-FJWV
Type: Bill Whalen AX7
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Special
Magic in the Air
Black Magic is very much a family affair. When you see this balloon in flight, either or both Brent and Scott Gordon could be in the basket. As partner / owners, this father-son pilot duo share their love of hot air ballooning.
Competitor: #6
Pilot: Scott Gordon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2023
Balloon: Magic Moments
Call Letters: C-GNHB
Type: Bill Whalen AX8
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Special
Competitor: #7
Pilots: Linda & Walt Then
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Five Decades of Ballooning
Walt and Linda Then began their hot air ballooning adventures in 1980 when Walt started crewing with the Calgary Balloon Club. Linda started crewing in 1982, the same year Walt got his pilot's license, and received her pilot license in 1990. Over the years, their travels took them to many balloon events. Walt and Linda can be seen at more local events in Alberta these days, including Raven AB every October. The Thens have hosted the Raven Festival for the last 39 years, complete with a spooky 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: #8
Pilot: Michael King
From: Sandia Park NM USA
Attended: 2022, 2023
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: #9
Pilot: Richard Clark
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Fiesta Party
Richard Clark began crewing in 1989 with a fun-loving group in Calgary. The excitement of ballooning led him to get his pilot license in 1992 and fly a Calgary Balloon Club balloon. In 2001, Richard and Heather, his wife, wanted to further their experience by having their own balloon. Richard enjoys the relaxed fun of fiesta flying and views the competition component as a chance to use planning and map reading skills along with team work. Coming close to a competition target makes for added excitement and fun.
Balloon: Our Treat
Call Letters: C-FGBY
Type: Cameron O77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Delightful Skies
Our Treat in 2021 is the newest version of the original Our Treat acquired in 2001. The name was chosen based on what a treat is was for Richard and Heather to fly the skies in such a colourful balloon at events across western Canada. Make note of Our Treat's call letters so as not to do a double take with another entry in the Festival.
Competitor: #10
Pilot: Willy Taillon
From: Medicine Hat AB
Attended: 2022, 2023
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: Coulee Balloon
Call Letters: C-GVOH
Type: Cameron AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
How Coulee is That?
Coulee should be easy to recognize in the Foothill's sky with it's distinctive blue and white stripes and puffy panels on the envelope.
Competitor: #11
Pilot: Cliff Skocdopole
From: Condor AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
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
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
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.