Lighter than Air (LTA) Pilot
I am a hot air balloon pilot and I live and fly in Southern California. I have two
children and several grandkids.
My family used to go to the March Air Force Base open house every year to
watch the air show. I loved seeing the Blue Angels. At the time I never
imagined that I could become a pilot. Once I went to a hot air balloon event, I
knew it was for me!
I fly an Aerostar AX8 Hot air balloon. I joined a hot air balloon club and
several other pilots helped teach me to fly.
I have a full time job at a hospital, but on the weekends I fly charter flights
commercially. Most of my paid flights are people who arrange the flight for a
celebration, like a birthday or anniversary. I have also done several marriage
proposals in the balloon, which is very special!
I love the feeling of flying a hot air balloon. Often I fly in hot air balloon
events with 50-100 other balloons. It is so beautiful and relaxing. We fly in
beautiful places and have a huge tailgate party after our flights.
The most common reaction I get is that people don't understand that people
actually own their own hot air balloon. Also, since the balloon goes with the
wind, we often land in neighborhoods, parking lots, or in fields. Sometimes a
crowd gathers where we land and joins the fun.
What role do skills in math, science, engineering and technology play
in supporting your job? I have to understand how my balloon flies, how to
calculate my flight path, fuel consumption, weight capacity, and other factors
to plan my flight. I also needed to learn how to read and understand
aeronautical charts, which can be pretty complex. One of the most important
skills was to learn weather. My safety depends on my knowledge of the
weather conditions and when it is safe to fly.
My website is www.gypsyflights.com
I am a hot air balloon pilot and I live and fly in Southern California. I have two
children and several grandkids.
My family used to go to the March Air Force Base open house every year to
watch the air show. I loved seeing the Blue Angels. At the time I never
imagined that I could become a pilot. Once I went to a hot air balloon event, I
knew it was for me!
I fly an Aerostar AX8 Hot air balloon. I joined a hot air balloon club and
several other pilots helped teach me to fly.
I have a full time job at a hospital, but on the weekends I fly charter flights
commercially. Most of my paid flights are people who arrange the flight for a
celebration, like a birthday or anniversary. I have also done several marriage
proposals in the balloon, which is very special!
I love the feeling of flying a hot air balloon. Often I fly in hot air balloon
events with 50-100 other balloons. It is so beautiful and relaxing. We fly in
beautiful places and have a huge tailgate party after our flights.
The most common reaction I get is that people don't understand that people
actually own their own hot air balloon. Also, since the balloon goes with the
wind, we often land in neighborhoods, parking lots, or in fields. Sometimes a
crowd gathers where we land and joins the fun.
What role do skills in math, science, engineering and technology play
in supporting your job? I have to understand how my balloon flies, how to
calculate my flight path, fuel consumption, weight capacity, and other factors
to plan my flight. I also needed to learn how to read and understand
aeronautical charts, which can be pretty complex. One of the most important
skills was to learn weather. My safety depends on my knowledge of the
weather conditions and when it is safe to fly.
My website is www.gypsyflights.com
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| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
