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: #01
Pilot: Dale W. Ritchie
From: Golden BC
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
5 Time Canadian Hot Air Balloon Champion
Dale began flying in 1977 and commercially in 1979. In his 46-year career, Dale has trained many pilots, flown worldwide, and amassed over 4,700 flight hours. He holds multiple licenses and ratings, including flight instructor certification. Dale has has flown at numerous festivals and competitions, and won the Canadian Championship five time, more than any other pilot. Dale finds joy in ballooning challenges, from flying over the Rose Bowl to soaring above the deserts of Jordan.
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.
Competitor: #02
Pilot: Jennifer Podruski
From: High River AB
Attended: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: #03a
Pilots: Cathy Dudgeon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: #03b
Pilot: Dale Lang
From: Taber AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2026
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: Zepplin
Call Letters: C-FYRS
Type: Aerostar Intl RX8
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #04
Pilot: Karl Schultz
From: Airdrie AB
Attended: 2026
Next Generation
A lifelong aviator, Karl has been flying gliders and airplanes since he was a teenager. He officially added Lighter Than Air flying to his credentials after earning his hot air balloon pilot's license through the Calgary Balloon Club. As a first-time pilot in the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, Karl is thrilled to join the lineup this year and looks forward to sharing the skies, the sport, and the rich camaraderie of ballooning with the local community.
Balloon: Over The Rainbow
Call Letters: C-FORB
Type: Cameron 90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Balloon of Many Colours
ORB is owned jointly by Karl and his partner Heather, purchased shortly after Karl completed his pilot training with the Calgary Balloon Club. Keep an eye on the launch field to welcome Karl, Heather, and ORB during their Festival debut!
Competitor: #05
Pilots: Walt Then
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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: #06
Pilots: Doug Robson
From: High River AB
Attended: 2026
Balloon: Prairie Dawn
Call Letters: C-GTFH
Type: Balloon Works
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #07
Pilot: Scott Gordon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Festival Magic
High River’s own Scott Gordon fell in love with hot air ballooning during the 2020 festival after taking his very first ride. He completed his first solo flight in early 2021 and has since advanced to become a certified Flight Instructor. If you live in High River, you’ve likely spotted Scott filling the local skies year-round. A formidable competitor at the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, Scott has proven his precision flying by placing 3rd overall in each of the last two festival competitions.
Balloon: Magic Moments
Call Letters: C-GNHB
Type: Bill Whalen AX8
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Special
Competitor: #08
Pilot: Willy Taillon
From: Medicine Hat AB
Attended: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Rising to a Challenge
A proud, born-and-raised "Hatter" from Medicine Hat, Willy began his pilot training in September 2020 and officially earned his hot air balloon license in May 2021. Driven by a deep passion for flight and scenic views, Willy has spent his first few years in the sport traveling to festivals across the region, continuously honing his skills alongside veteran aviators. He is thrilled to return to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival to share the skies and the excitement of ballooning with the community.
Balloon: Dolly
Call Letters: C-GPEG
Type: Cameron A105
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Sport
Competitor: #09
Pilot: Jamie Kinghorn
From: High River AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Firefly
Jamie took his very first balloon ride in July 1988 and was hooked instantly. He earned his pilot's license the following spring and has since flown across Canada, the US, Belgium, Japan, and Thailand. A long-time competitive flyer, Jamie was named Rookie of the Year at the 1992 Canadian Championships and has participated in the Heritage Inn event every single year since its inception. Beyond flying, Jamie serves as the event Chairperson, dedicating his time to growing the Festival in High River year after year.
Balloon: Eye of RA
Call Letters: C-GRAA
Type: Bill Whelan BW-08
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Eye in the Sky
Designed by Jamie in 2020, "Eye of Ra" is a unique experimental balloon built in Ottawa with the help of dedicated volunteers. Recognized by Transport Canada as experimental, this 90,000-cubic-foot envelope features a distinctive skirt and a signature three-corner Firefly basket. Look up to catch "The Eye in the Sky" soaring over High River throughout this year's festival!
Competitor: #10
Pilot: John Viner
From: North Muskham Nottinghamshire
Attended: 2015, 2026
Balloon: Master ZABA
Call Letters: G-ZABA
Type: Kubicek BB26E
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #11
Pilot: Bill Dickinson
From: Rolling Hills AB
Attended: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
Ballooning in the Blood
Bill has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2002 and is a recent Flight Instructor. He loves helping new aviators earn their wings and sharing first flights with passengers. After a lifetime in agriculture, running a small excavation business, and serving 37 years as a volunteer firefighter (25 as Fire Chief), Bill and his wife Annette recently relocated from Rolling Hills to Redcliff, AB. Bill regularly flies across Alberta and Montana, treasuring the post-flight champagne toasts, the lifelong friendships, and the incredible volunteers who make events like High River possible.
Balloon: Air-Ora
Call Letters: C-GDCN
Type: Cameron
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Air-Ora Borealis In The Sky
Air-Ora is the newest addition to Bill and Annette’s flying adventures. Freshly delivered and ready for the 2026 season, this vibrant balloon is making its festival rounds across Alberta and Montana. Keep an eye out for Air-Ora on the launch field as Bill shows off his new envelope and takes to the skies!