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.
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: 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.
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
Balloon: Over The Rainbow
Call Letters: C-FORB
Type: Cameron 90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
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
Scott, one of the newest balloon pilots in High River, found his passion during the 2020 Festival 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.
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
Willy, a proud born and raised Hatter, began pilot training in September 2020 and became licensed in May 2021. Willy is excited to participate in the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, sharing his passion while flying over beautiful landscapes. In just a few years, he has traveled to many festivals and continues to learn from the experienced pilots he meets.
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 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 BW-08
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
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.
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 Dickinson became a licensed pilot in 2002 and recently qualified as an Instructor. He lives in Rolling Hills, AB with his wife Annette and family. Bill also runs a backhoe business and works with neighboring farmers. Inspired by a neighbor, he enjoys sharing first flights with passengers and showing them scenery from above. His favorite flying locations include Medicine Hat, Drumheller, and High River. Bill appreciates the camaraderie with fellow pilots and crew members, having made many friends over the years.
Balloon: Geppetto
Call Letters: C-GFPH
Type: Galaxy GLX 7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Love of a Woodcarver
Geppetto became Bill's flying partner in 2013. The patchwork of red, orange, and yellow brightens the skies every time she flies.
Balloon: Air-ora
Call Letters: C-GDCN
Type: Cameron
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
