Up, Up & Away: Douglas County IT employee flies hot air balloons for fun

As a hot air balloon pilot, Douglas County IT employee Darrin Harrison gets to explore the countryside from a unique perspective.

“Geese fly around us. In the fall when the Monarch butterflies are migrating through, depending on where you’re at, you might find yourself in a cloud of butterflies,” he said. “People will come out when they hear the balloon burners, so you can talk to people 400 feet below you.”

His fascination with hot air balloons began in 1998 at the Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally in Topeka. He attended with his wife, Michele, and his parents, who live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of an international balloon festival. Through his parents’ connection to one of the pilots, Darrin was able to get a closer look at ballooning. The following year, he and his wife returned and took their first ride.

“We thought it would be a bucket list item. Once and done,” he said. “Then, we decided we need to do it more than once a year.”

They joined the Topeka-based Great Plains Balloon Club, and by July 2013, Harrison had earned his pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration after logging many hours of flight training and passing both written and flight exams.

Harrison, of Topeka, owns two balloons that share one basket. His first, purchased in 2011, is called Retro, featuring a nostalgic design with horizontal bands of burnt orange, yellow and brown — a nod to the styles of the ’60s and ’70s. His second, acquired just last year, has a colorful checkered pattern, and hasn’t been named.

“It’s like naming a boat. You want something that fits the balloon and your style,” he said.

Because the balloons are considered aircraft by the FAA, they require annual safety inspections or checks every 100 hours of flight. Harrison flies purely for the joy of it, offering rides for free rather than commercially. He can take up to three passengers depending on weather conditions. In colder temperatures, he can carry more weight and stay aloft longer. Calm wind is key — around 5 mph is ideal.

“If it’s windy,” he said, “the take-off isn’t bad, but the landing can be rough. You can bounce across the land.”

Most flights happen at sunrise or in the final hours before sunset. They usually last about an hour, and Harrison navigates by changing altitude to catch different wind currents. The direction of the wind determines the landing spot, which is why he prefers flying in Shawnee County where he lives. Over the years, he’s become familiar with landowners and public areas that offer safe places to land. His ground crew follows in a vehicle with a trailer, maintaining radio contact and helping with navigation. After landing, they assist with packing up the balloon and transportation.

His license allows him to fly anywhere in the United States, though he mostly flies in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, with occasional trips to Texas, Illinois and other places. At an altitude of around 3,000 feet — about half a mile up — Darrin can often see Clinton Lake and Lawrence from Topeka, depending on the weather.

“I like flying close to home because it’s comfortable and I know the area well,” he said. “It’s also exciting to fly someplace new because you meet new people and see a different part of the country from a perspective that you normally wouldn’t see.”

For Harrison, the most rewarding moments come from sharing the experience with others.

“Being able to share that first-time experience with someone is always memorable — just getting to see their reaction,” he said.

One of his most memorable rides was with a newlywed couple who were members of his crew. After their wedding reception at Shawnee Lake, clear skies and calm winds were too perfect to resist. 

“It wasn’t planned, but the weather was perfect,” he said.

He made a quick trip home mid-reception to pick up the balloon and give them the ride of a lifetime.

With only about a dozen licensed balloon pilots in northeast Kansas, Harrison describes ballooning as a family-friendly hobby. “I get to hang out with incredible people who serve on the crew, and I really enjoy visiting with people about the sport,” he said. He often gives demonstrations at community events and says he’s built friendships that he never would’ve expected.

This September, Harrison will be at the 50th Annual Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally Sept. 5-7 in Topeka at the Mount Hope Balloon Field. You can follow his journey and see updates on his balloon team’s Facebook page at Retro Balloon Team.

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