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Email: info@balloonadventuresusa.com
Holder of FAA Class II Medical Certificate, required of all pilots who tether for hire and fly passengers for hire. Always ask when inquiring.
Meet Bill Bussey (Article)
Holder of FAA Class II Medical Certificate, required of all pilots who tether for hire and fly passengers for hire. Always ask when inquiring.
Meet Bill Bussey (Article)
Meet Dr. Bussey
For more information contact info@BalloonAdventuresUSA.com
“I was skiing in Aspen, Colorado and saw two Hot Air Balloons tethered on a rugby field and I just sat down in awe!” That’s how Dr. Bill Bussey describes his first encounter with hot air balloons. His second came a few months later back home in Longview, Texas when a fellow Texan from nearby Tyler had his balloon on display at a local arts festival. Bill was offered a 1/4 interest for $2,500. He quickly found another partner to buy a 1/4 interest and then figured out that with their combined $5,000 they could almost buy a brand new balloon. In the Spring of 1978 Bussey and three partners bought that new balloon. His investment was a mere $300 for a down payment and a $120 per month payment, an obligation he immediately began to meet by selling rides, in those days for just $30. My how times have changed!
Almost five decades later Bussey has logged over 3,600 hours flying time in Hot Air Balloons and he has achieved success in every niche of the sport. As a competitive pilot he has won 35 championships; has finished in the top 3 in more than 100 events and has represented the US in World competition three times. As a commercial pilot he maintained an 18-year relationship with the Strohs Brewing Companies flying balloons that represented three of their products, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee and Stroh’s. As an instructor he can count among his students his own brother Bruce who is a successful commercial, sport and competition pilot in his own right. Since 1978, the first month after he bought that first balloon, he has been selling adventure flights. He is the founder of the Great Texas Balloon Race, held annually in Longview and he is credited with the originating the twilight balloon glow – a spectator pleasing staple at almost every balloon event in the world.
Great Texas Balloon Race
In more recent years Bussey has turned his attention to Hot Air Balloon World Records. His most recent attempt, SkyQuest 7 in late January, 2000 earned him his 30th US National Record and 15th World Record for distance flown and/or duration in flight. Other career ballooning highlights include:
AWARDS
Notable Achievements