Bloomington balloonists explain their trade

Imagine floating weightlessly in the sky, looking down at beautiful landscapes, out in the open air.

This experience is made possible on a daily basis right here in Bloomington through hot air balloon adventures.

Big Red Balloons and TJV Balloons are two hot air balloon companies operating out of Bloomington that offer breathtaking hot air balloon rides over the scenic lands of Indiana.  

Matthew McClinton, an IU student in the Kelley School of Business, is a hot air balloon pilot and has worked for both Big Red and TJV Balloons. He described the experience as one of a kind.

“For me, there is nothing like it in the world,” McClinton said. “You have zero sensation of movement, and the sights can be pretty amazing.”

Warren Smith, owner of Big Red Balloons, said the experience is “like a recurring dream most of us have — just floating effortlessly over the landscape, very peaceful and surreal.”

Travis Vencel, owner of TJV Balloons, described a typical hot air balloon ride in Bloomington.

“Our launch site varies with the weather of the day,” Vencel said. “Typically we fly in the northwestern quadrant of Monroe County where there is residential, agricultural and forested land to fly over. This area also has many hills and valleys as well as other beautiful scenery.”

Smith said the flights at Big Red Balloons also vary.

"We are solely dependent on the winds,” Smith said. “That means we use a wide area for launching and landing. We sometimes get to fly over the IU-Bloomington campus.”

Big Red and TJV both offer rides that are about an hour long. Up to four passengers
can be taken up in the balloons.

Both companies stress the importance of safety during hot air balloon rides.

“We are fully insured and carry all appropriate documentation,” Vencel said. “Our pilots are licensed through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and our aircraft are certified with the FAA.”

s with any sporting activity or adventure, there are risks. “Risks are inherent in ballooning, however, ballooning is much safer than riding in an automobile,” Vencel said.

Both companies said they often see students as customers. Summer is a perfect time for students to enjoy a hot air balloon ride, as the ballooning season typically lasts from early April through the end of November.

McClinton offered some advice to students.

“As far as paid balloon rides here in Bloomington, I would say that you are just as well off with either TJV or Big Red Balloons,” he said. “The operations are identical and I believe the pricing is as well.”

For students wanting to get even more involved in ballooning, there are many options.

Both Big Red and TJV Balloons have a balloon recovery team and hire students to help chase the balloons. Students are encouraged to contact either balloon company if interested.  

Since hot air balloons are federally registered aircraft, a pilot license is required to fly a
balloon.

“In order to obtain a pilot’s license, you have to pass a written and oral examination as well as a check ride with a Designated Examiner,” McClinton said.

McClinton has been flying balloons since he was 14.

“I received a student pilot’s certificate at the age of 14, the youngest age that a student pilot is allowed to solo in a hot air balloon,” he said. “On the morning after my 16th birthday, I received my private pilots license, my first legitimate certificate. I have been a commercially licensed hot air balloon pilot for over a year now.”

McClinton also had abundant experience with ballooning prior to obtaining a license.

“Literally, I have been told that my first balloon interaction came at the ripe young age of two weeks old,” he said. “I think Travis may have given me my first balloon ride when I was two years old or something. My dad has been involved in ballooning since before I was born and has passed his love of the sport on to me.”

Besides working for both hot air balloon companies in Bloomington, McClinton also works for his father in Kentucky.

“The majority of the time I work for SkyCab Balloon Promotions Inc. out of Louisville, Ky.,” he said. “It is the company that my dad started and now I help him run. We own 13 hot air balloons and focus primarily on corporate clients but also do rides as well.”

McClinton loves the sport so much he said it is hard for him to balance his ballooning addiction with his academic career. He encourages students to get involved in ballooning.

“I would absolutely do anything, within reason, to share my sport with any students interested,” McClinton said.