Mike, who is 59 years old, started ballooning in Southern California in 1980. He traveled the nation flying for Oldsmobile from 1985-1988 and now lives in Dayton, Ohio. He has accumulated over 1677 hours as a balloon pilot in command in addition to 450 hours as pilot of small engine aircraft, and over 1600 skydives.

Although maintaining something of a competitive edge whenever flying, Mike places safety and then fun ahead on the list of being a good pilot. Winning is not the only thing to ballooning. Having fun and doing it safely is what ballooning really is all about.

Watching adults (as passengers) become kids again is far more rewarding than any first place prize.