About Us
Meet our team!
Pilot/Crewmate – Phoebe Brown
Phoebe’s passion for ballooning began while living abroad in Australia’s far north Queensland. Her landlord took her on her first flight and from that day on she began pursuing her dream career in aviation.
From ground crew to pilot, marketing to event planning and bookings, Phoebe has done every job function in the ballooning business. Through these experiences, she followed her dream to opening her very own boutique hot air balloon company in her home state of California. Her knowledge and passion has helped create the foundation for this endeavor.
Phoebe has flown in cities across the United States but is most excited about sharing this one of a kind experience with her passengers over the beautiful landscapes of California’s central coast.
“Being able to share this one of a kind experience with others is the greatest gift. I feel incredibly lucky to meet so many wonderful people and share this memorable moment with so many!” – Phoebe Brown
Click the link below for photos Phoebe has taken while ballooning across the USA.
Commercial Pilot - Jeff Johnson
Jeff’s first balloon flight took place in September of 1980 under a full moon east of Flagstaff, Arizona. He went on to earn both his private and then commercial pilot certificates in 1985 and the rest as they say, is history. He has flown his balloon over the mountains, canyons and deserts of the American Southwest, the Colorado Rockies, the Wine Country of San Luis Obispo County, California, as well as other places around the USA, Mexico, Europe, and Taiwan. Jeff participates in a number of balloon events each year, and has flown at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for 33 years. After 46 years in Flagstaff, Arizona., Jeff relocated to California in early 2019 and spends his off season in Southern Arizona. In addition to hot air ballooning, he enjoys boating, hiking, and white water rafting. He’s also an avid photographer, never without a camera at hand!
Crew Member – Bill Cloonan
Our crew chief Bill Cloonan is a man of all trades. When he is not chasing down our fleet of balloons, you can find Bill traveling with his lovely wife Sue of 36 years, woodworking in his workshop or perhaps enjoying a glass of vino. Bill also travels the United States to support Sue’s mission to raise awareness for breast cancer by walking Susan G. Komen’s all across the nation. Sue has recently been recognized by the foundation for her dedication and raising over $150,000 for the organization!
Crew Member – Scott Ellis
When retired firefighter Scott Ellis isn’t wrangling balloons, you can catch him wrangling alligators and eagles with local animal conservation organization Zoo to You. Scott enjoys educating through animal presentations along side his beloved wife Su - both locals to the area for more than 45 years! He is also an artist both kiln-formed glass and stained glass. A jack of all trades, Scott’s hobbies include sailing, kayaking, woodworking and climbing.