Balloons & pilots

What made you want to become a balloon pilot?

Saw a balloon in the air, had some money set aside for a new business adventure, chased the balloon and talked to them at landing. Bought a balloon right on the spot and they trained me in my new balloon

If you could fly anywhere in the world, where would it be?  

I would like to fly everywhere in the world and see as many places from the sky as I can! But if I had to pick a place that I have flown and would currently like to fly on a daily basis it would be Teotihuacan Mexico flying over the pyramids

What has been your best flying experience to date? 

Sitting at 9000ft in the lower North Island seeing the edge of the west coast to the east coast and really understanding the shape of the NZ map is quite accurate

What made you want to become a balloon pilot?

Seeing all the balloons fly over hamilton at previous balloon fiestas. When I was old enough I started crewing and I haven’t missed a BOW event since – 20 years!

What has been your best flying experience to date? 

Flying with the Piper Balloon and playing the bagpipes in the basket as we left Innes Common

What is the coolest thing about your balloon?

My balloon is called Paula after my late Mother who was so supportive when I was a child wanting to get into flying balloons. She always encouraged me to follow my dreams and it felt fitting to name my first balloon after her

What is the coolest thing about your balloon?

It’s an experimental lightweight design. It was built by Brian Boland who was a USA balloonist who spent a lot of time in New Zealand

What has been your best flying experience to date?

Having the privilege of representing my country at the Woman’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championships in 2023 with my amazing team!

If you could fly anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Kieran: Africa the Mara and Canada

Steve: NZ. I was the first balloon director, and helped produce the first Balloon Glow at Balloons Over Waikato 25 years ago. It is a great honor to be invited to return to fly with Kieran McKee in the 25th annual festival.

What has been your best flying experience to date? 

Being chased by the Darth Vader balloon at BOW in 2019 

What has been your best flying experience to date?

Every flight is unique and special in its own way

What made you want to become a balloon pilot?

A lifelong love and fascination of aviation and all things the break the bounds of gravity

If you could fly anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Kilimanjaro

What is your ultimate goal in ballooning?

Improve on my longest distance flight of 260 kms in Australia