Dave & Carole Strickland have been ballooning for over 20 years in Central Ohio and own and operate Flying Colours Hot Air Balloons Ltd., located in Columbus.

After first experiencing ballooning while living in Albuquerque New Mexico, Dave began his flight instruction in 1979 from Eric Barnum, pilot of the famous Planter’s “Mr. Peanut” special shape hot air balloon. Since then, Dave & Carole have been flying in Central Ohio, and have attended ballooning events and flown in the Marysville area for most of those years. Dave & Carole, along with their son Adam and the Flying Colours Balloon Team, have attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 12 times. The Flying Colours Balloon Team is comprised of their friends from across the United States, including California, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Dave & Carole have had many incredible flights together. Their most recent memorable flight occurred last October in Albuquerque, where after launching with 750 other balloons, descending and gently dipped the bottom of their balloon basket into the Rio Grande river and floated downstream, then flew on and later descended from over 7000 feet to make a pinpoint landing in Rio Rancho New Mexico.

In addition to their balloon business, Carole is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker King Thompson Realtors in Upper Arlington, and Dave is an Information Systems Consultant.

The Stricklands are currently flying a Cameron V77 balloon, and are authorized dealers for Cameron Balloons U.S.

The Flying Colours website is www.flyingcoloursballoons.com, and is filled with photo galleries of the flights and adventures of the Flying Colours Balloon Team.