About Airborne Heat Ballooning
Established in 1982, Airborne Heat, Inc. is a privately-owned Albuquerque, New Mexico based company that specializes in hot air balloon pilot training, Cameron Balloon sales and marketing opportunities featuring hot air balloons. Our goal is to provide a highly personalized service offering the very best hot air ballooning experience from the most experienced balloonists in the business.
We are proud members of the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) and the Aircraft Operators and Pilots Association (AOPA). Airborne Heat became the first corporate member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA), although the principals had long had individual memberships.
Elizabeth (Beth) Wright-Smith, President & Chief Flight Instructor
- Involved in ballooning since the 1960’s; balloon pilot for over 30 years
- 3000+ hours total time in balloons as a sport pilot, competition pilot and commercial/corporate pilot
- Became a full-time commercial pilot in mid 1980’s
- Flown almost every make/model of balloon, including large ride balloons and special shape balloons
- Gas balloon rated
- Served 2+ terms on the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association board; currently serving as VP
- Two terms on the Balloon Federation of America board
- On Board of Trustees for the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
- Chief Flight and Ground Instructor for one of only five FAA approved Part 141 pilot training schools in the US
- Began giving pilot training in 1985
- 200+ students trained
- 1200+ hours of flight instruction given
- Speaks at safety seminars, other ground schools and civic/school groups
- 18 + years as FAA certified repairman and 10 years as Chief Inspector for a balloon repair station
- Served as an Aviation Safety Counselor since 1992; currently a FAAST Team member
- Owner of Airborne Heat, providing pilot instruction, Cameron Balloon sales and pilot services for passenger rides and corporate programs, including Wells Fargo Bank
- 15 years as Director of Operations, and then co-owner, of World Balloon, an internationally known balloon services company
Troy Bradley, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
In addition to being Assistant Chief Instructor for Airborne Heat, Troy has previously owned both World Balloon and Skyspan Adventures. He is currently the owner of Star Trail, Inc.
Troy Bradley's passion for ballooning began in 1976 when his grandparents purchased their first hot air balloon in Denver, Colorado. Troy, now in his 40s, has logged over 4,600 hours piloting all types of balloons. He soloed when he was 14 years old, going on to earn his private license at 16, commercial at 18 and gas rating at 21.
Through the years, Troy has flown for several commercial accounts, including Labatt's Beer, Sears, Swatch Watch, Maxwell House, PSA Airlines, United New Mexico Bank, Breyer's Ice Cream, Comet Cleaners, RE/MAX and Fox Photo.
Troy has participated in balloon events throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. A 4-time New Mexico State Hot Air Balloon Champion, he has been a U.S. representative in two North American Championships, seven Coupe de Aeronautique Gordon Bennetts and the World Gas Balloon Championships. In 1995, Troy, Mark Sullivan and Sid Cutter captured the title of the first U.S. National Hot Air Team Champions.
Along with Richard Abruzzo, Troy set 24 world records for duration, distance and altitude including the absolute world duration record for manned balloon flight (144 hours 23 minutes). Troy's records were set during the Chrysler Transatlantic Challenge, which was the first ever balloon race across an ocean. Troy and Richard also made history as the first to fly a balloon from North America to Africa (3,318 miles). In total, Troy has set 58 world records in balloons, and has earned the highest honor achievable in ballooning: the Montgolfier Diploma.
Troy's desire to share the sport and help it grow is evident in the countless numbers of students he has trained, public service events in which he has participated and the time he commits to volunteerism for the sport. Troy has shared his sport with nearly 12,000 passengers flown safely.