PILOTS AND BALLOONS | NZ Balloons

2013 PILOTS & BALLOONS

BRANSGROVE, Chris From: Hamilton, New Zealand Balloon: REMAX (ZK-WON) Chris has been flying hot air balloons for nearly 30 years. He has attended most of the balloon fiestas around the country over many years. He has also had the opportunity to fly internationally, including attending the world’s biggest annual hot air balloon fiesta in 2002 – Albuquerque, and came first in the ‘Flight of the Nations’ event. Chris owned NZs 1st single man balloon (sky hopper) and has owned many different balloons over the years. Currently Chris owns and flies the REMAX hot air balloon.
BROWN, Mark From: Hamilton, New Zealand Balloon: Hamilton (ZK-UPP) Mark has been involved in hot air ballooning for nine years, initially as crew and now as a pilot. He has attended fiestas in Australia, Wairarapa and Waikato. Mark was the winner of the 2009 Wairarapa event. He owns and operates the Kiwi Balloon Company in Hamilton.
CLIFTON, John From: Nelson, New Zealand Balloon: Tanswell (ZK-FAC) John first flew in NZ at the 2003 Wairarapa fiesta after moving to from the UK to Motueka with his family in 2002. John had his first balloon flight in 1979 and has flown over 600 hours in balloons. John has flown in Holland, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, across London, English channel, Dover to Dunkerque and Alps.
CLULOW, John From: Hamilton, New Zealand Balloon: MIZ Waikato (ZK-MIZ) John has been flying balloons for three and a half years having previously crewed for festivals since 2004 in Hamilton, Wairarapa and Levin. He flew in last year’s Wairarapa event and now has more than 80 flying hours
CURSONS, Scott From: Wellington, New Zealand Balloon: (ZK-LAR) Scott is a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer with nearly a decade of competition experience at Wairarapa, Levin, Methven and Hamilton. He obtained a UKPPL (Private Pilots Licence) in France in 2001.Scott has attended the major Bristol and many other UK festivals, Metz, and Chateau DeOux in France, as well as Mildura in Australia in 2004. He lists his hobbies as: husband and dad, who sometimes escapes to go kite boarding.
HENDRA, Dennis From: Feilding, New Zealand Balloon: ShardLeigh (ZK-FAH) Dennis has been involved with ballooning for many years starting out crewing for others including overseas pilots. The chance came to buy a Thunder and Colt balloon in 2006. He has since attended and flown at several events in the North Island including Wairarapa and Levin.
KING, Dan From: Carterton, New Zealand Balloon: Puff (ZK-PUF) Dan has been flying hot air balloons for 17 years and has flown in many places throughout the country and at various festivals. Dan loves to fly alongside other balloons and enjoys the camaraderie that the festivals bring.
KING, Peter From: Carterton, New Zealand Balloon: Flagship (FAG) Peter is a real enthusiast and truly echoes the ethos of the sport balloonist, always up and out there having fun. Peter runs his Generation 4 Timbertops business from Carterton and often hosts visiting balloonists. He has attended many festivals in New Zealand. Peter usually launches from his own backyard and specialises in high altitude flights. Peter’s sporty Boland balloon is for flying fun.
MCKEE, Daryl From: Auckland, New Zealand Balloon: Nar Rakasa (ZK-ZVE) A former member of the Royal NZ Air Force, Daryl is now a director of the Balloon Expedition Co of NZ. He first flew a balloon in 1982 and Daryl gained his commercial pilot license in June 1992. He has since logged more than 2500 plus flying hours and has flown in Waikato, Fiji, Australia, USA, Canada and at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Daryl also flies on contract running Sundance Balloons operation in British Columbia Canada for five months every year.
NICHOLSON, Andy From: Christchurch, New Zealand Balloons: Cadbury Creme Egg (ZK-EGG) & (ZK-FHD) An airline pilot and farmer from Christchurch, Andy has been flying balloons for 32 years. He has competed in the Pan Pacific Champs. Other festivals attended include Albuquerque, Bristol, France, Australia, Chateaux D’oeux. He is a Civil Aviation Authority Balloon Flight Examiner, a licensed engineer and CAA Aviation Inspector-Balloons
NOBLE, Rob From: Los Gatos, California Balloon: Lee (ZK-FBB) Rob spent time around Christchurch with balloons in the early 70’s and has ballooned in many parts of the world since. Rob first came to the Wairarapa in 1999 with the Kiwi balloon and again in 2000 with the Canterbury Club balloon. Rob also spent a few years commercially flying some of the biggest balloons in New Zealand.
OAKLEY, Michael From: Darfield, New Zealand Balloon: (ZK-OAK) Michael has been flying balloons since 1997 and has flown fiestas throughout New Zealand. This will be his 13th Balloons Over Wairarapa festival and is a five times past winner. He has represented New Zealand at the World Championships in Mildura, Australia in 2004. Michael with his wife Kate have just recently launched a new commercial hot air balloon business called Ballooning Canterbury which is based out of Christchurch. Michael is also a keen glider pilot with over 4000 hours. He is a past New Zealand champion, competed at World Championships and is a New Zealand and world record holder.
OAKLEY, Nicholas From: Darfield, New Zealand Balloon: Eyecatcher (ZK-WRU) Nicholas is 19 years old and has been attending balloon festivals since he was five years old. He first flew solo in a balloon at 12 years of age and was co-pilot with his father Michael Oakley for many years. Nicholas won the 2010 Wairarapa event and has earned respect as a skilled pilot. Nicholas, like his father, also flies gliders.
SALE, Ross From: Auckland, New Zealand Balloon: Bittersweet (N8295) Ross has been flying balloons since 1982, originally in the USA where the 'air bug' first got him. He returned to his native New Zealand in 1994, with ballooning and yachting fitted into any spare moments. Ross does most of his flying in the North Island. He has flown in the last 10 Wairarapa fiestas.
SCOTT, Craig From: Masterton, New Zealand Balloon: Jelly Bean (ZK-FAI) Craig started crewing in 2001 at the Wairarapa festival and then went on to crew in Hamilton and at the Wairarapa events during the following years. In 07 and 08 he crewed for Brian Boland and at the end of the 08 festival decided to buy the balloon from Brian. Craig is supported by his family who crew for him.
SHOUSE, Michael From: Lower Hutt, New Zealand Balloon: Coke (N28861) Michael has been a US-licensed commercial pilot for the last 32 years. Michael competed in the 1979, 1981 and 1983 World Championships, several US National Championships and has flown many commemorative events worldwide.
WATSON, Howard From: Wellington, New Zealand Balloon: Mogul (ZK-FBA) Based in Wellington, Howard started flying in 1996 in central Hawkes Bay. He has since attended fiestas in the Wairarapa, Hamilton, Blenheim, Hastings, Methven and Levin. He was the winner of the BNZ Waikato Championship in 2006. Ballooning is now a sport for the whole family with everyone having their own special jobs. The Watson family are really looking forward the 15th Wairarapa fiesta and expect to have a lot of fun

WILTON, Mark From: Carterton, New Zealand Balloon: Team Swan (ZK-FAQ) Mark became involved with ballooning ten years ago as ground crew. When a friend gave up ballooning, Mark learnt to fly his balloon. Mark was the winner of the WEL Energy Trust Trophy at the Waikato event in 2009.