These are images of some of the hot air balloons that will be launching on Friday evening at 5:00 pm, and on Saturday morning and evening, weather permitting.  Please check the LATEST UPDATES bar on the Home Page for current information on balloon launches.  Balloon pilots for the 2009 event are as follows:

Glen Terry

   I took my first balloon ride on May 21, 1978 after attending a community education class on Hot Air Ballooning. I started crewing for my instructor the very next week and took my first flight instruction in July 1978. By the summer of 1979 I had pasted my written exams and talked my neighbor into buying half interest in a new hot air balloon. I soloed on July 4th, 1979 in our new balloon. Having 55 hours I received my Commercial License on March 1, 1980. Through the years I have had many adventures in ballooning. Most recently I have been the treasurer for the MBA since it's inception in 1999, maintain their web site and have helped organize and contribute to each of their eight safety seminars. I have flown "Stefonia's Dream" every year at Faribault since 1996. Most importantly I have made friendship's with  great people who have influenced my life over the years, I have known many of them for over 30 years. 

Ed Chapman

   Ed Chapman has been flying hot air balloons since 1976; 32 of those 33 years have been in Minnesota. He has set 20 World Records in hot air balloons for Distance, Duration and Altitude. He's made five flights over 30,000 feet, including his highest of 38,900 feet set in 1981. He still holds the United States altitude records for AX-6, AX-7 and AX-8 sized balloons. Ed has flown in Russia, France, the Swiss Alps, Italian Alps and many flights in the Austrian Alps; he was awarded the Montgolfier Diplome, ballooning's most prestigious award, for a high altitude flight made in 1982.  Ed and his wife (crew chief!!) Sandie make their home in Jordan, Minnesota. His balloon is a 105,000 cubic foot Cameron named "Stormy Weather" for its distinctive design: black with four yellow lightning bolts.

Steve Johnson

   Steve Johnson, pilot/owner of "April Love" (The Piano Balloon), says, "The Photo's say it all".  Reflections reminds us of all the past wonderful flights and people we've met along the way.  The Fall scenery shows the beauty often seen during this style of flight.  The grandchildren's first tether at a school assembly reminds us how the joy of ballooning is shared and passed down through generations of family and friends.  And of course the preservation of the hobby, stained glass in this case, shows how ballooning is a way of life.  A love of flying since he was 5 years old, a pilot since 1968 with commercial and instructor ratings in both airplanes & balloons, Steve chose music as a career, but blended career and passion's of flight, with the "Piano Balloon".  Steve Johnson, Duluth, MN. 

Russ Lucas - Airfest's 2009 "Balloon Meister"

   I started piloting airplanes in 1991, skydiving in 1997, and ballooning in 2005. Most of my flying these days is in my balloon named “Cloud Dancer.” I currently have a new balloon being built and should be flying it at this year’s Airfest event. Hope to see you there and introduce you to Fandango. See more at www.ccdballoonco.com.

Michael Leimbach

I was introduced to ballooning in 1981 and purchased my first balloon in 1992 after receiving my pilot’s certificate.  One of my more thrilling experiences was participating in the chase crews for world record setting flights:

Ø  Chase crew for Jon Kolba in setting a world record in an AX6 for duration.

Ø  Chase crew for Bill Cloninger in setting a world record in an AX5 for duration.

Ø  Chase crew for Debbie Young in setting a world record in female category duration and distance in an AX5.

Ø  Assisted in launch for two attempts and one successful world record for Andy Cayton

Ø  Assisted in launch for a world record attempt in an AX8 for Richard Lawhorn.

Ø  Official observer for world record AX6 duration flight piloted by Rich Jaworski.

I’ve also flown special shape balloons in Canada and Massachusetts.  I currently live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and retired from the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1999 with 35 years in aircraft maintenance.  My family is wife Shirley and son Jim.

 Rose Eakins - Hutchinson, MN

• Balloon name:  Aerogami  (pattern resembles the folds of the Japanese art, Origami)
• Married 38 years, 2 children, 2 grandchildren.
• Has been flying balloons for 27 years, accumulating over 1300 hours of flight time.
• Commercial pilot and instructor, currently instructing her 20^th student.
• Founded the Hudson Hot Air Affair in 1991, Executive Director through 1999.
• Owned and operated a skydiving center, Skydive Hutchinson, from 6/94 through 4/06. (Has 1491 skydives, including 19 from balloons.)
• Currently a video/photo store manager, and active balloon pilot.

Mike Sommer

I've been flying Balloons for over 25 years, since 1983.  I received my Commercial certificate a year later in 1984.  I've participated in the Faribault Airfest, as well as other Balloon Festivals on a number of occasions.  I look forward to a great Fall season in Minnesota and will see many friends at Airfest.

Ray Ebert

                                                            Ray has been flying hot air balloons since 1995, and has logged over 400 hours.  He holds a commercial license and flies a 90,000 cubic foot Aerostar balloon named Lofty View.  With his wife (Heidi), children (Kate and Michael), and friends Dennis and Cathy Abbott, the Lofty View Balloon Team has enjoyed entertaining and educating folks on sport ballooning through rallies and school programs.  Ray was presented the initial “Larry Balvance Community Spirit Award” for Outstanding Contributions to the Faribault Airfest and Balloon Rally in 2005. Remarked Ray, “One of my favorite flights was flying southwest from the airport over Lake Wells.  We had a light breeze and could see a half dozen balloons and their reflections in the water. Incredible!”  

A couple of iconic photos from Airfest