I've held a Hot Air Balloon Pilot License since 1988 after starting flying lessons in 1986. I've flown over 700 hours, flights in 17 states, France, Australia and Austria (soon to add China). My crew chief is my husband, Jeff Barlett, who is also a HAB pilot. The balloon we are bringing to Marysville was designed and built by Jeff and I in 2004. It contains 660 yards of silicone ripstop nylon, over 2 miles of thread and took about 200 hours to cut out and sew.
In addition to balloon building we also building our second airplane.

Balloon name: Tumbleweed Size: 69,000 cu ft.
Make: Hixenbaugh-Barlett