BSOPP Pilots

Ben-Growing up in Colorado Springs in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, the highlight of my years was the Colorado Balloon Classic. From about six years old I was fascinated by hot air balloons and grew a real interest in aviation as a result. Many years later, I have found a way to make a living out of aviation as a professional pilot flying airplanes, and I am finally returning to my original aviation dream by learning to fly hot air balloons. Ella-Aviation has been my passion since I was taken for my first flight in a little airplane at age 15. I began flight lessons as soon as I could afford them, and continued through to become a flight instructor, a job that I loved and hope to return to someday. Never having been exposed to hot air balloons, I didn’t know what to expect except that I’ve never experienced any form of aviation that I didn’t love. The magic of ballooning immediately captured my imagination when we attended Labor Day Liftoff in 2022, and watching through our kids’ eyes was even more special. It has been so enjoyable to build a family love of ballooning and look forward to when our tiny people are big enough to be actually crew.