Our Team
Skip Howes - Pilot, 
FAA Certificate #2758093
Skip and Debbie received their first balloon ride together in 1987. After having been a spectator since 1981 at the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, we were introduced to ballooning and the Colorado Balloon Classic, as a sponsor. We sponsored pilots from 1987 through 1995. In October of 1994, my sponsored pilot of six years, Cal Campbell, gave me a ride and the opportunity to fly his balloon. I was hooked. I bought a balloon in March of 1995, received my Student Certificate in March, 1995 trained for several months and received my Private Pilot Certificate in July of 1996. I had the privilege and pleasure of having Cal Campbell as my private pilot instructor.
Annual flying time: Typically 20 - 25 hours per year
Current Total Time PIC: 450 hours
Balloon type: TBW, Firefly 8B, 90,000 - 15095, 4.5 or 4.9 basket. TBW, Firefly 77,000 - 9091E
We typically fly at altitudes of 4,000' to 14,000' MSL throughout the Colorado, Nevada & New Mexico area.
Since beginning to fly, we have concentrated on events that we enjoy and the people and friends they give us the opportunity to meet. Since 1996 we have flown or fly these events:
- Colorado Balloon Classic, Colorado Springs, Labor Day weekend,
- now known as the Labor Day Lift Off!
- Glendo., Weekend at Bernies, Cheyenne Wyoming, Bob Bryant - Disbanded
- Montrose Lighter than Air Balloon Affair -, Montrose, Colorado - Disbanded
- Frederick In Flight, June, Frederick, Colorado
- Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, Late October, Taos, New Mexico
- Rainbow Weekend, July, Steamboat Springs, CO
- AIBF - Albuquerque Internatinoal Balloon Festival in October, Albuquerque, NM - 1999, 2000, 2015
- Snowdown Balloon Rally, January/February - Durango, Colorado
- Boulder Kenetics, May; Boulder, Colorado - 2001 - 2003, then disbanded.
- Erie Town Fair, May, Erie, Colorado
- Arkansas Valley Balloon Festival, November -Rocky Ford, Colorado
- Buena Vista Balloon Rally, May - Buena Vista, Colorado - disbanded
- Rocky Mountain Air Show and Balloon Festival, August, Denver, Colorado
- Great Reno Balloon Race, September - Reno Nevada
- Red Rocks Balloon Rally - Gallup, New Mexico
We have identified regional events that we have attended for several years. This gives us an opportunity to meet great people and spread the experience and joy of ballooning to sponsors and participants as well. We look forward to becoming a valuable asset to your event.
My goal, as pilot, is to show our sponsors a good time and have a safe ballooning flight experience. Ballooning events are an opportunity to build long lasting friendships.
Debbie Howes - Flight Crew Chief
Debbie started the journey in 1989 with Skip and took the position of Flight Crew Chief. This positin is critical to the flight operations of the balloon team. She orgainizes and coordinates the beginining launch thru the final tailgate celebration.
Guiding the team thru the streets of the flying event she orients everyone to their tasks and is there for the landing where ever it may be. Making sure operations are safe, efficient and fun. While Skip may be th Pilot In Command in the air, Debbie is the Flight Team Commander on the ground.
Tom Connolly - aka "The Dope on the Rope"
Tom has been envolved in ballooning for several years and knows all the positions on the team. He specifically enjoys launching at the "Crown Line Position", hence the Dope on the Rope tag. Once launched Tommy operates and manages the Motin X GPS tracking to allow the flight crew to track the balloon in real time. When intent to land is announced, Tom like to be on site and if necessary, launch himself onto the basket to add ballast and slow the balloon to a gentle stop.
Ballooning is a team sport and we are always looking to add members to our team. There are several ways to get a balloon ride! You can purchase one from a reputable commercial ride operator or you can become part of a Balloon Team and earn yourself a ride for free. You earn it by working as a crew member!
Typically, pilots place their crew members into a rotation so every so often they get a chance to ride and enjoy the flight ecperience. Before you can ride, you need to learn the various positons on the team and make sure that you learn them and perform them very well. Then as the rotation goes around your turn comes and into the basket you go!
We have crew members from young to old. If you are a youngster, you need to be able to see over the edge of the baasket with your feet flat on the floor to be tall enough. It's just like the rides at the amusement park, height limitations apply.
Our Dedicated Flight and Chase Team CrewDebra Colbertson -Physical TherapistTom Connolly -TC3 ArchitecxtsBobbie & Dave Kipf -Bobby is a photographer &CAD Drafter, Dave is a CADDrafterEric & Jackie Peterson - Bothare Veterans, Eric is a talentedwood carver and Jackie doesembroidery & quiltingJen Abrans -Crew in Frederick ColoradoShereen Simmer -Crews in Frederick, Erie and Craig,ColoradoWayne and Crisette Sderberg -Crew at various eventsHarry & Sandy Hentshel -Crew at several eventsCindy Roberts -Crews in Taos, New MexicoJerry & Martha Johnson -Crew in Taos and Alburquerque,New MexicoJon & Allyson Howes -Crew in Colorado SpringsKatie &Tiegen Cox -Crew in Colorado Springs andSteamboat Springs, ColoradoWayne & Jeannie Johannes -Crew in Rocky Ford, ColoradoGary & Jodi Peil -Crew in Rocky Ford, ColoradoFrances Brinda & the family -Crew in Erie, Colorado