Balloon Information for Landowners
Do not assume that if you see a hot air balloon landing in a yard or field that it is "crashing".
Normally, that is not the case. You see, the pilot has control over the altitude (the up and down)
of the balloon. However, the direction of the flight and landing is determined by the winds. So, it
is not unusual for balloons to land on private properties, backyards, fields, or parking lots. Since
landowners are an important part of nearly every flight, we take great care to avoid harming the
property during landing. It is our goal to make every landing and recovery a positive experience.
Pilots and chase crew members take pride in being courteous to landowners. Before entering private
property, the chase crew will attempt to gain permission and determine where they can/can't drive
their vehicles.
If a balloon does land on your property, feel free to approach the basket. Some additional "weight" is always
welcome, while waiting for the crew to arrive. This also provides an opportunity for the pilot and landowner to
chat. It's a great way to learn more about ballooning.
How does the Landowner Appreciation Program work?
Balloons land in many interesting places. To show our appreciation of Wisconsin's landowners, after
each flight WBG pilots give out a landowner certificate. The pilot keeps the bottom stub of the certificate to be
entered in a drawing. Every year at our winter social a drawing is held from all the landowner entries returned.
Both the winner and the pilot of the corresponding flight win a monetary sum. It is our way to say "thanks" for
allowing us to land on your property.
Previous Winners
2010
|
Landowner
|
Pilot
|
Balloon Name
|
| Patrick Bergen |
Ken Walter |
Kay's WindDancer II |
| Mark & Carol Voss |
Jan Kohlman |
Sky Painter |
| Al Goecks |
Nick White |
In Harmony |
| Paul Gosenheimer |
Daron Powers |
Tequila Sunrise |
| Barb Pesola |
Jeff Trzebiatowski |
Midnight Rainbow |
| Lyle Kraus |
Jim Bushelle |
Yellow Fever |
2009
|
Landowner
|
Pilot
|
Balloon Name
|
| Nancy Elsinger |
Pete Asp |
PH-1 |
| Greg Bagley |
Kevin Kamp |
Linn-"Air"ea |
| George Roemer |
Rod VanWyngeeren |
Free Spirit |
| Carmen Wilson |
Mike Fontaine |
Heaven's Tears |
| Jerry Herbst |
Daron Powers |
Tequila Sunrise |
| Michael Peters |
Gary Britton |
Reflections Free |
2008
|
Landowner
|
Pilot
|
Balloon Name
|
| John Toomey |
Jan Kohlman |
Sky Painter |
| Debbie Bingen |
Gary Britton |
Reflections Free |
| Bob Leu |
Jeff Trzebiatowski |
Midnight Rainbow |
| Kurt & Kim Weber |
Rod VanWyngeeren |
Free Spirit |
| Sandra Steeman |
Harold Graves |
Points |
| Barb Shiellack |
Daron Powers |
Tequila Sunrise |
2007
|
Landowner
|
Pilot
|
Balloon Name
|
| Laurie Horst |
Pat Brouillet |
Yellow Brick Road |
| Dennis Griffin |
Steve Woller |
Handcrafted Dream |
| Roger Micke |
Jeff Trzebiatowski |
Midnight Rainbow |
| Debbie Toth |
Daron Powers |
Tequila Sunrise |
| Roy Williams |
Mike Fontaine |
Heaven's Tears |
| Jason Peters |
Jim Bushelle |
Yellow Fever |
2006
|
Landowner
|
Pilot
|
Balloon Name
|
| Rod Drott |
Rod VanWyngeeren |
Free Spirit |
| Mark Justman |
Gary Britton |
Reflections Free |
| Valerie Lingen |
Daron Powers |
Tequila Sunrise |
| Neil Nelson |
Herb Kohlman |
Sky Painter |
| Bob Wenger |
Ken Walter |
Kay’s WindDancer |
| Dave Martin |
Don Benvenuto |
Our Dream |