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UNM student John Wilson grew up in balloons; his first flight was at the young age of 2.
“It never gets old, it’s always different. I think that’s one of the best things about the hobby, the sport — every time you fly, there’s something new,” said Wilson, 19. “Even when you’re crew, you can land in the same spot, but how you got there will always be a completely different way.”
Balloonists and balloon lovers take to the New Mexico skies at this week’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Even with balloonists arriving from around the world, Wilson is one of just a few student pilots represented at the festival.
Wilson was born into the ballooning world, raised by parents who were balloon crew members and enthusiasts. He later took up the piloting reins, earning his pilot license at 18. Wilson crews for and pilots Eos, a bright, multicolored balloon named after the Greek goddess of dawn.
Wilson said he makes an effort to take his friends ballooning with him whenever he can, saying he’ll never charge a person for a balloon ride.
“When I fly and I see the look on your face the first time you get off the ground, it’s what makes my day, because I haven’t seen anyone who hasn’t lit up with a smile,” he said. “You know you made their day and that’s what makes it for you.”
Wilson plans on working as a crew member for Eos at this year’s festival, working alongside fellow student and friend Austin Lundgren.
Lundgren is new to ballooning, working at this year’s festival for the first time. Lundgren is in charge of overseeing the throat of the balloon.
“You get to see the inner workings, the team, the crew. It’s a totally different experience from watching, because you’re learning how this stuff works while doing it,” Lundgren said. “You really can’t do this without the crew. If it’s just them then it doesn’t happen.”
Lundgren’s interest in ballooning soared early this summer after riding in Wilson’s balloon.
“Obviously I’ve seen people go up in balloons before, but to be in the basket and to see it from a different perspective, it was just really cool,” he said. “You see the world differently; it’s almost like a freedom you don’t really get to experience. It’s just crazy to think that you’re flying. It’s something that you’ll never forget.”
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After his first flight, Lundgren took part in a first-flight balloonist tradition. Wilson told Lundgren the legend of the Montgolfier brothers, who made and flew the first hot-air balloon, and then led him in the balloonist’s prayer topped off with champagne.
Lundgren said that while he’s still new to the ballooning world, he plans to continue his work with Wilson and spread the word of his hobby.
“This is something that’s obviously part of New Mexico’s culture.
It’s just something that is unique to Albuquerque and unique to New Mexico, and it’s something that you don’t even need to be from New Mexico, just to be living here and call this home. You want to show this off to others and make it an experience for other people who don’t get to see this every day,” he said.
