I have grown up around balloons starting at the young age of 6 when my dad first started crewing in Lima. I received my first flight at age 10. I have had a student license since I was 14. I had my his first solo in my dad’s balloon (Rick Cusick, who is also flying at All Ohio Balloon Fest) at the age of 16. I started out crewing and flying with my dad and finally, after getting my own balloon in October of 2003, I took my check ride for a private pilot’s license in July 2004.