Balloon enthusiasts say fun is in the air

Pilots say the cost is high, but the experiences are worth it.

Ron Terranova, pilot of Adam’s Nivana, out of Fairfield, blasts the burners in his hot air balloon while crewmembers Eric Terranova (right) and Kerry Saylor, (far right) hold onto the basket during the Balloon Glow at the 2004 Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival at Smith Park in Middletown.

Staff file photo Ron Terranova, pilot of Adam’s Nivana, out of Fairfield, blasts the burners in his hot air balloon while crewmembers Eric Terranova (right) and Kerry Saylor, (far right) hold onto the basket during the Balloon Glow at the 2004 Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival at Smith Park in Middletown.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer 3:07 AM Friday, July 17, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — While many hot air balloon pilots don’t fly for a living, those who fly just for fun take that fun very seriously.

Middletown pilot Mark Frazer’s day job is as a physician, but he’s also well known as one of the Middletown pilots who attends the MidFirst Ohio Challenge every year. This year’s event runs today, July 17, and Saturday.

Frazer has been a pilot for 15 years, logging a total of about 450 hours of flight time, which breaks down to roughly 30 hours a year. In addition to his appearances at the Ohio Challenge, he takes people on balloon rides and attends other balloon events around the country.

“I don’t do any advertising. That’s just a way for me to reduce the cost of ballooning and share my love of ballooning with other people. I do it for my personal enjoyment and pleasure ... it’s a relaxing way to get away from medicine for awhile,” Frazer said.

Ron Terranova of Fairfield is another pilot who flies for fun. He makes his living working for an architectural firm in Cincinnati, but has been flying hot air balloons for 17 years.

He only recently obtained his commercial pilot’s license to take up passengers.

“I started out like many people do as a crew person, until I finally decided, hey, I want to learn to fly,” he said.

While flying is fun for both Frazer and Terranova, it’s an expensive way to have fun. Terranova estimates it costs $175 every time he goes up. Asked what his total expenses were, Terranova said, “I think if I added that up, I’d stop ballooning.”

Frazer estimated that ballooning costs him between $3,000 and $4,000 a year, much of which goes toward insurance. Every seven to eight years he has to replace the balloon, which can cost $10,000 to $25,000.

Still, both pilots say ballooning is worth every penny.

“It’s not an inexpensive thing to do for fun, but it’s not as expensive as other things. I always enjoy exposing new people to my hobby,” Terranova said.

Frazer said, “I love meeting people when I land in their yards or take them on rides. You can’t do ballooning alone.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

How to go

What: MidFirst Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival

When: 4 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday. Morning balloon flights 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Smith Park, Tytus Avenue, Middletown

Cost: $5 per carload, $2 per walk-in. Children 13 and younger free with a paying adult.

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