Our 2021 Pilot Lineup!
We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2021 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. Not only do we have our local pilots, we have representation from BC through Quebec. We anticipate our international friends from the United States and United Kingdom will be able to participate 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 2021, we have 24 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized.
Competitor: #1
Pilot: Dale W. Ritchie
From: Golden BC
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 Traveller
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.
Discover more about Dale Ritchie's hot air ballooning adventures.
Competitor: #2
Pilot: Brant Leatherdale
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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: Herbal Magic
Call Letters: C-GHER
Type: Firefly 8B 15
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Magic in the Air
Herbal Magic is a familiar sight at the Festival and will be flying once again. The bright green envelope is easy to spot from the ground given its striking contrast against the blue sky.
See more about Brant Leatherdale's wishes for the Festival.
Competitor: #3
Pilot: John Phillips
From: Parkland County AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Director, Producer, Pilot
John Phillips was introduced to hot air ballooning in 1986. After crewing for a year he obtained his license in 1987. He continues to fly recreationally and semi-competitively. A freelance producer, director, technical director and videographer, John has travelled across North America to cover a wide range of sporting events including world championships, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. He has directed music and variety productions for well-known artists. Recently John has been busy televising Canadian professional rodeos.
Balloon: Purple Haze
Call Letters: C-GSTK
Type: Aerostar RX7
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Sport
Mystery of the Sky
Purple Haze returns to fly in the Festival once again.
Learn more about what John Phillips has been up to.
Competitor: #4
Pilot: Cliff Skocdopole
From: Condor AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
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 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: 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.
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.
Read more about where Cliff Skocdopole loves to fly.
Competitor: #5
Pilot: Shane Lockyer
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 200 hours, many of those over High River. Shane is a familiar face at events across western Canada and the United States as both a pilot and crew member. Currently working as an automotive technician, in the near future Shane will be completing his hot air balloon Instructor Rating and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer certification.
Balloon: Fishin'
Call Letters: C-FISN
Type: Cameron N65
Size (volume): 65000
Category: Sport
Familiar Sight
Fishin' or Lil' Cameron is a familiar sight launching from the High River Balloon Port and heading out over town to the southeast or southwest. The blue, white, and red envelope makes it easy to pick out at the launch field and in the sky.
See more about Shane Lockyer.
Competitor: #6
Pilot: Jennifer Podruski
From: High River AB
Attended: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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): 77000
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.
Learn more about why Jenn Podruski's loves ballooning.
Competitor: #7
Pilot: Jamie Kinghorn
From: High River AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 Whalen AX8
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.
Read more about Jamie Kinghorn's flying adventures.
Pro Image Promotional Products
Competitor: #8
Pilot: Del Michaud
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
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: Pepe Le Pew
Call Letters: C-GXLU
Type: Balloon Works FF7B
Size (volume): 65000
Category: Sport
Flying Romantic
Pepe Le Pew returns to High River once again as the near rainbow in the sky without a raindrop to be seen.
See what else Del Michaud has been up to.
Competitor: #9
Pilots: Cathy Dudgeon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2021
New Pilot on the Block
Cathy Dudgeon's love of ballooning began in the 1980's but she focused on career and family until 2013 when the Festival came to High River. Cathy volunteered as a crew member and became hooked all over again. Starting lessons in August 2020, she became a licensed pilot in March 2021. She is excited to achieve her goal of flying in the Festival this year. You may have met Cathy at an Intro to Hot Air Ballooning or Crew Training workshop where she combines her love of teaching and ballooning. Her sights are set now on becoming a flight instructor.
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.
Learn more about Cathy Dudgeon's flying journey so far.
Prism
Competitor: #10
Pilots: Bill Whalen & Sandra Rolfe
From: Vankleek Hill ON
Attended: 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
Believe
Bill Whelan and Sandra Rolfe are a long time balloonist and life duo who recently married. Bill has been involved in balloon aviation for 40 years and Sandra for 30 years. Sandra is a renowned extreme balloonist, holding 57 Canadian and 3 world records. With Bill in charge of transportation and moral support, Sandra is breaking new records after a devastating stroke in 2015. Told she would never walk or talk again, today Sandra can walk, talk, drive, and fly using accessible devices. Sandra and Bill spread the message Aphasia is a loss of words, not intellect.
Balloon: Miss Birdy
Call Letters: C-GNGZ
Type: Whelan AX8
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Special Shape
No Elephant in the Room
Miss Birdy is the newest Lighten Up Balloon Co creation birthed out of COVID creativity. Her design team completed CAD drawings in 3 days and the process of printing, cutting, and sewing over 1000 pieces began. Miss Birdy first inflated to life in February 2021 and received her Certificate of Airworthiness from Transport Canada in mid-June 2021. To give you a sense of size, the yellow bird atop Miss Birdy's head is about 3 meters high and each leg is made of about 100 meters of fabric. Learn more about Sandra Rolfe and Bill Whalen
Competitor: #11
Pilots: Walt & Linda Then
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Learn more about Walt & Linda Then's background and ballooning journey.
Competitor: #12
Pilot: Richard Clark
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Learn more about Richard Clark's love of ballooning.
Competitor: #13
Pilot: Johann-François Quellette Frève
From: Longueul QC
Attended: 2020, 2021
Freedom Like No Other
Johann-Francois Ouellette-Frève has flown since before he was born. His mother is one of the first female pilots in Quebec and taught his father. Part of a ballooning family, Johann-Francois was familiar as a passenger and crewing at festivals. At 16 he became a student pilot. Johann-Francois's first festival after receiving his pilot's license in 2007 was at the Albuquerque Fiesta. He has flown more than 30 festivals across America and Europe and wants to fly the world in a balloon. Johann-Francois says the freedom he feels when flying is like none other.
Balloon: Red-Y!
Call Letters: C-GGKI
Type: Sundance B SBA90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Red-Y!
Red-Y! will look stunning against blue skies flying over High River.
Read more about Johann-François Quellette Frève flying journeys in his young career.
Competitor: #14
Pilot: Pier Alexandere Marcoux
From: Levis QC
Attended: 2021
Pilot From the Start
Pier Alexandere Marcoux began crewing at festivals alongside his dad when he was 3 years of age. He remembers telling his parents “One day I will be a hot air balloon pilot". His first ride at the age of 12 was "awesome!" Pier Alexandere started training to be a pilot and became licensed in 2016. Since that time, he has flown in
Albuquerque, the St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec area, High River, Drumheller,
Glens Falls, and Sussex. He looks forward to many more destinations to come.
Balloon: Au-delà du rêve / Beyond The Dream
Call Letters: C-GIVG
Type: Ultramagic H-77
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Sport
Dream Bold
Beyond the Dream was purchased by Pier Alexandere in 2017. When you see Beyond the Dream in the sky, be reminded of always going beyond your dreams to live your best life.
Learn more about Pier Alexandere Marcoux's life of ballooning
Competitor: #15
Pilot: Tommy Quevillon
From: Vankleek Hill ON
Attended: 2021
Open Roads and Skies
Tommy Quevillon is the transportation guy - a trucker by day and pilot by night. His love of flying hot air balloons reaches back to June 2014 when he began crewing for Bill Whelan. Tommy started studying for his pilot's license in 2018 and celebrated becoming a licensed pilot in early July. Fun fact - Vankleek Hill was named the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario in 2003. Not for the cookie, but the decorative elements on over 250 Victorian era homes in town.
Balloon: Gavy the Alien
Call Letters: C-GAVY
Type: Whelan AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Experimental
Alien Invasion 2.0
Gavy first flew the skies over High River in 2020 and returns with a new pilot at the helm, err burner.
Learn more about Tommy Quevillon's adventures travelling roads and skies.
Competitor: #16
Pilot: Scott "Scooter" Beaton
From: High River AB
Attended: 2019, 2020, 2021
Captain Crunch
Scooter's first flight happened during Little Britches Day in May 1980. The action packed flight (no details given) hooked him on the sport. By October 1980, Scott was a licensed pilot. He was a founding member of the Foothills Balloon Events Association, and with the Calgary Balloon Club, pulled off bringing the 1982 Canadian National Hot Air Balloon Championships to High River - with less than 4 months to go before the event. As part of that event, Scott planted the seeds for the Heritage Inn relationship that continues today.
Balloon: GONZO
Call Letters: C-GZOY
Type: Balloon Works F6B
Size (volume): 65000
Category: Sport
Light Up the Sky
GONZO will be the bright yellow spot in the sky.
Learn about when Scott Beaton became the original Captain Crunch.
Competitor: #17
Pilot: Pierre Cyr
From: Fort-Coulonge QC
Attended: 2021
Aviation Meets Navigation
Pierre Cyr had his first balloon ride at a "Festivant" in 2001 where he was the Aviation Weather Briefer. Years later he tried ballooning with Bill Whelan and it was love by 50' in the air. Ballooning was the perfect passion to combine aviation knowledge and navigation skills from the Navy. Pierre began pilot training in 2013 and received his pilot's license in 2015. Wanting to develop his skills and experience, Pierre received his Instructor Rating and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer certification in 2020. He has flown 16 balloons over 140 hours in the air.
Balloon: Whizz Dom
Call Letters: C-GPXU
Type: Aerostar S60A
Size (volume): 105000
Category: Sport
Westard Travels
Whizz Dom and Pierre Cyr both are making their first appearance at an event in western Canada.
Read more about Pierre Cyr's aviation career and how it intersected with ballooning.
Competitor: #18
Pilot: Garry Lockyer
From: Oliver BC
Attended: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021
The Official Pilot
Garry Lockyer has logged 1700 hours in the air since becoming a hot air balloon pilot in 1978. A competitive flyer, he has flown in several Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championships, crowned Canadian Champion in 1986, as well as North American and World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Garry also contributes to the sport as a competition official, officiating and being the Event Director at numerous events nationally and internationally across the years. For many years he represented Canada on the world governing body FAI.
Balloon: Cotton Candy
Call Letters: C-GSOK
Type: Ultramagic Z-90
Size (volume): 90000
Category: Sport
Eye Candy
Cotton Candy's bright colours and distinctive chevron pattern will be easy to spot in the sky.
Read more about Garry Lockyer's competitive flying and officiating.
Competitor: #19
Pilot: Alain Bard
From: Ottawa ON
Attended: 2021
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: Alien Rocket
Call Letters: C-FIIY
Type: Bard Balloons
Size (volume): 65000
Category: Special Shape
Fan's Choice
Alien Rocket is the special shape chosen by fans to compete in 2021's Festival. For anyone who might be concerned, this is a friendly alien invasion. Since the inaugural flight in 2016, it has flown and ignited childhood dreams in over 7 countries around the world. With the envelope weighing in at 95kg with 1500 yards of fabric, Alien Rocket was designed specifically to be easy to handle by 4 local crew members.
Learn more about Alain Bard's long standing love of flying.
Competitor: #20
Pilot: Bill Dickinson
From: Rolling Hills AB
Attended: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Ballooning in the Blood
Bill Dickinson first took to the skies with some thin fabric and a bunch of hot air in 1993. It was love at first flight and he became hooked on ballooning. Bill began pilot training in 2001 and became a licensed pilot in December 2002. Since then he has flown in locations from Billings MT through to Grand Prairie AB and looks forward to exploring more places from the sky and ground. Bill and Annette, his wife, enjoy farming outside of Rolling Hills AB, although it does cut into flying time.
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.
Read more about Bill Dickinson's ballooning adventures.
Competitor: #21
Pilot: Brigitte "Brie" Johnstone
From: Manotick ON
Attended: 2021
Happened One Christmas
Brigette "Brie" Johnstone was bitten by the ballooning bug after being gifted a champagne flight for Christmas. She purchased a balloon, hired an instructor, and became a pilot in 1992. Brie is actively involved in the National Capital Balloon Club as well as the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival where she is on the Board of Directors and a pilot for the Gatineau team. When not flying, Brie is a physiotherapist working with children with disabilities in the community schools.
Balloon: She's A Hoot
Call Letters: C-FIET
Type: Bill Whalen AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Special Shape
Whimsical Wisdom
She's A Hoot has an uncommon distinction of being built by her pilot. Brie worked alongside Bill Whelan and Sandra Rolfe in 2014 to create these wise eyes to fly the skies.
Learn more about Brie Johnstone's three decades of ballooning.
Competitor: #22
Pilot: Chris Jones
From: Billings MT USA
Attended: 2019, 2021
Dream Come True
Chris Jones dreamt of flying since the first flight with his grandfather piloting a fixed wing plane. His love of ballooning began in 1998 with crewing at an event. Chris became friends with another pilot and traveled around the country to crew at events for many years until receiving his pilot's license in 2017. Chris now organizes the annual balloon festival in Billings, Montana.
Balloon: Sapphire Sunrise
Call Letters: N7111G
Type: Raven Aerostar S55-A
Size (volume): 77500
Category: Sport
Jewel of the Skies
Sapphire Sunrise returns to High River. The blue and yellow combination will sparkle in the sky.
Read more about Chris Jones' path to becoming a hot air balloon pilot.
Competitor: #23
Pilot: Peter Van Overwalle
From: Belgium & Ennis MT USA
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021
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):
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).
