Adventure Awaits: Step Into the Basket with Andy Williams

In his thirty years of piloting balloons, Andy has acquired over 4,000 hours as Pilot In Command, flying passenger rides and corporate balloons in over eighteen states.

Andy began flying at the age of fourteen in Central Iowa at the National Balloon Classic. His family owned a small sport balloon and spent their summers flying and traveling to area balloon races to compete in weekend events. Taking lessons from his father, Andy obtained his Private Pilot and then Commercial Pilot ratings.

Once in college, Andy accepted a position at Wiederkehr Balloons based in St. Paul, MN. as Chief Pilot for the Mycogen Seed contract, flying over a nine-state area of the Central United States. Along with flying the Kentucky Fried Chicken special shape balloon at several events across the United States. After college, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona to receive his training in passenger balloons. Flying for several companies over the years in the “Valley of the Sun,” he continues to operate passenger balloons with Arizona Balloons, Inc. during the cold Illinois winters.

In the fall of 1999, Andy teamed up with Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Illinois, launching hot air balloons from their front lawn as a guest amenity. His company, Galena On The Fly, Inc. made its maiden voyage on April 13th, 2000, and has flown over 2,000 flights from the Resort since.

Andy would like to welcome you to “come take a ride with us.”