Our Experience is Your Safety
Whit Landvater / Owner & Pilot
I've
shared the worlds second greatest sensation (that would be ballooning)
with thousands of passengers throughout the United States as well as
in Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and Holland.
I've been a commercial pilot for over 30 years, and according to my passengers, I'm getting the hang of it! :) I've logged many many hours flying corporate balloons in over 100 cities and 40+ states for clients like Swatch, Sears, General Foods, Labatt's, Pepsi, to name a few. Besides the incredible views I have in the balloon, my favorite part of ballooning is the reaction I get from my passengers, usually in the form of great big grins and the "man, that was cool" I hear so often. It makes me feel like I've really accomplished something special, like saving Earth from a giant meteor or something.
I'm also an ordained minister with the authority to perform legal marriages anywhere, most of which have taken place in our balloon here in Nevada.
When I'm not flying balloons or taking out the trash, I can be found in a secret underground web design shop called Area Fiftyone with a 120 pound dog at my feet.
On rare occasions I can be found watching some sort of motor sports, barbecuing out back, target shooting or 4 wheeling in the hills with my dogs.
Carrie Landvater / Owner & Better Half
Carrie
has been involved in ballooning since the mid 80's and enjoys everything
about it except the hours. She's good once she's up though as you'll
see from her smile and personality. Besides her flight crew duties, Carrie
is the one responsible for reminding Whit to do all the things he's supposed
to do outside of flying, like getting champagne and ice, pay bills, put
gas in the truck, etc.
When she's not being the brains behind Balloon Nevada, she has a real job being a bean counter. She's a huge animal lover and all around fun person to be with. She's also really cute.
Josh Landvater / Chief Crew Chief
Josh
grew up in a ballooning family and has a wide range ballooning experience,
probably more than anyone else in Nevada ranging from corporate programs,
large passenger carrying operations and pleasure flights.
When he's not ballooning, he's probably snow boarding, wake boarding, boating, dirt biking or four wheeling somewhere.
Steve Hollstrom / Crew Chief
Steve
got wrapped up with us during his step-daughters' wedding, which just
happened to take place in our balloon, and we've been buds ever since.
He's a big rodeo nut, enjoys fishing and getting outdoors when he's not chasing a balloon around the valley.
Charlie / Crew Chief
Charlie has been crewing for Balloon Nevada for a couple years now. We can't photograph him, publish his last name or mention much else about him due to the classified nature.
Our experience equals your safety, and rest assured, safety is our number one concern.
- Current FAA licensed commercial pilot/instructor
- 30+ years balloon piloting experience
- 18 years balloon piloting experience in the Carson Valley
- Spotless safety record with thousands of passengers
- Attend annual hot air balloon safety seminars
- Fully commercial insured
- Annual/100 hour inspection of balloon equipment by an FAA certified facility.