Meet The Pilot
My
Story
Hey! I'm David. I’ve been involved in hot air ballooning for nearly 30 years. My journey started back in 1997 at the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta, when I was just ten years old, helping crew for visiting pilots.
That’s where I met Gilles Tremblay and Janet Power from Gatineau, Quebec. They were new pilots at the time, and over the years we built a strong friendship. Along with other local crew members, Randy and Jen Hall, we supported Gilles and Janet at events right up until 2023, when Janet decided not to renew her pilot’s licence.
In 2019, Gilles and Janet approached me with an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, purchasing their balloon, Mirage. While COVID delayed things for a couple of years, I officially became a licensed balloon pilot in September 2023.
Since then, I’ve logged over 115 hours of flight time and have participated in festivals across New Brunswick, including Sussex and Bath.
I’m excited about what’s ahead for hot air ballooning in Sussex and across the Maritimes. There’s a growing community of pilots in the area, and it’s an incredible time to be part of it.