PILOT SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT SNYDER

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.

Continue reading “PILOT SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT SNYDER”

RISE & SHINE WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS SEPT 18-21

Rise & Shine and have a good time with more than 30 hot air balloons at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on September 18-21. Among the special shapes includes Ms. Autumn that is a giant pumpkin with a massive green stem, and Barnstormer that features a cow, horse, pig, farmer and silo; representing the American farmers that feed our great nation. Voluntold is a historical nod to the first balloon flight in 1783 and pilot Gary Moore has incorporated a sheep, duck and rooster into the design to honor the passengers who originally flew and safely landed. Ziggy the Raccoon is ready for adventure, Bud E Beaver weighs 700 pounds, and fans will adore seeing Lovebirds, Fire Dog, and Police Dog on the field.

Continue reading “RISE & SHINE WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS SEPT 18-21”