For Robert Snyder, hot air ballooning began with two life-changing introductions: a future wife and a first flight.

Born in Southern California, Robert didn’t discover the world of ballooning until he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to attend New Mexico State University. While there, he met a young woman from Albuquerque who would later become his wife of 32 years. Around the same time, one of his fraternity brothers happened to be a balloon pilot.

A trip to Albuquerque for the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta sparked his curiosity, but it was a flight with his fraternity friend that truly changed everything.

“I was hooked,” Robert recalls.

That first experience stayed with him for years before he finally decided to pursue the dream himself. In 2018, Robert began crewing with balloon pilots in the Austin area while training to become a pilot. He spent more than two years learning the craft from the ground up, taking burner time whenever opportunities arose. An extended trip back to New Mexico allowed him to complete his solo flights and earn his private pilot certificate in 2021. He later achieved his commercial pilot certification in January 2022.

Today, Robert pilots No Problemz, a beautiful balloon with a story of its own.

The balloon was gifted to him by a fellow pilot who retired from flying, making it an especially meaningful part of his ballooning journey. While Robert isn’t certain why the original color scheme was chosen, he knows one thing for sure:

“She glows like a champ!”

Among the many balloons spectators will see at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, No Problemz stands out for a subtle but unusual design feature. The balloon was constructed with a left, or counterclockwise, twist in its pattern. Most balloons are designed with a right twist, making Robert’s balloon a rare sight on the field.

When asked what he enjoys most about the Plano Balloon Festival, Robert doesn’t hesitate. “Flying, of course!” But the flying isn’t the only highlight.

“My other favorite part is the coordinated balloon glows with music. So much fun!”

For Robert, ballooning remains one of the most peaceful forms of flight imaginable. He often reminds people that hot air ballooning is far gentler than many first-time passengers expect.

“Hot air ballooning is one of the most gentle experiences when conditions are right,” he says. “No motion sickness.”

Before each launch, Robert and his crew keep things simple. There are no elaborate rituals, just a moment of teamwork and trust.

“I go around and get a thumbs up from all of the crew before going hot.”

It’s a small tradition that reflects the collaborative spirit that makes ballooning possible.

For anyone who dreams of becoming a pilot someday, Robert encourages them to start where every great balloonist begins: on the ground.

“Get involved with a local pilot, balloon crew, or balloon club and start crewing. Learn from the ground up, literally.”

He also believes every pilot should occasionally return to the crew position.

“Every pilot should crew a couple times a year so we remember what it’s like on the other end of the operation.”

And if you happen to spot Robert walking around the festival grounds, there is one detail that may make him easy to recognize.

He owns more than 60 Hawaiian shirts and proudly wears them in regular rotation.

Look for the colorful shirts, then look up. You just might find No Problemz floating overhead.

Join Robert Snyder and dozens of other pilots when colorful balloons fill the skies during the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, September 17-20 at Red Tail Pavillion / Oak Point Park in Plano.