Our 2024 Pilot Lineup!
We are happy to introduce the pilots registered for the 2024 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 August 2024, we have 22 entrants. That number may increase or decrease over the coming weeks as details are finalized.
Competitor: #1
Pilots: Cathy Dudgeon
From: High River AB
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Sequins of Events
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. After 7 months of training, she became a licensed pilot in March 2021. She is also known for sewing mini balloons and sequined vests. 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: Queen Bee
Call Letters: C-GUCX
Type:
Size (volume):
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #2
Pilots: Linda & Walt Then
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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: #3
Pilots: Bill Whelan & Sandra Rolfe Whelan
From: Vankleek Hill ON
Attended: 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Believe
Bill Whelan and Sandra Rolfe Whelan 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: BOB - Bunch of Bees
Call Letters: C-GUCF
Type: Bill Whelan
Size (volume):
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #4
Pilot: Brigitte "Brie" Johnstone
From: Manotick ON
Attended: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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: BeeLieve
Call Letters: C-GHBP
Type: Bill Whelan AX7
Size (volume): 77000
Category: Special Shape
Competitor: #5
Pilot: Jennifer Podruski
From: High River AB
Attended: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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: #6
Pilot: Ginny Rieger
From: Sheridan WY
Attended: 2024
Balloonist of Many Talents
Ginny Rieger has been flying hot air balloons since 2008, and loved every minute of it!! An occupational therapist by day, Ginny spends the remainder of her time gardening, playing in the community band, and learning how to ride a unicycle (she needs tips… Lots of tips!) She loves to travel and meet new people and share her love, a flight with people of all walks of life. Ginny will be flying her balloon Hot ‘N Bothered.
Balloon: Hot N Bothered
Call Letters: N71695
Type:
Size (volume):
Category: Sport
Competitor: #7
Pilot: Shane Lockyer
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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: #8
Pilot: Brant Leatherdale
From: Calgary AB
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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
Competitor: #9
Pilot: David Gleed
From: Coldstream BC
Attended: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
Man of the Air
David Gleed has spent over 40 years in the air as an Airline Captain and Commercial Balloon Operator. By the clock that translates to over 22,000 hours in various aircraft including over 3000 hours in hot air and gas balloons. A 3 time Canadian Balloon Champion, David has flown in North American and World Championships. He is on the FIA (CIA) Jury Board, current President of the Canadian Ballooning Association, and Balloonmeister for the Vernon Winter Carnival Balloon Fiesta for the past 20 years.
Balloon: Pegasus
Call Letters: C-GXLU
Type:
Size (volume):
Category: Sport
Competitor: #11
Pilot: Bill Dickinson
From: Rolling Hills AB
Attended: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
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: #11
Pilot: Peter Van Overwalle
From: Eke, Belgium & Ennis MT USA
Attended: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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).