Inside the Basket - Lonnie Carreathers, Balloon Pilot

April 11, 2024

Lonnie Carreathers is the pilot of Spectrum and chief pilot of the Elevated 4x4 Balloon Team. Lonnie has been attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta since 2001.

In this month’s Inside the Basket, Lonnie shares more about his ballooning story and what he is looking forward to most at the 2024 event.

1. Can you provide a bit about your background with ballooning?

I started way back in 2001 as a crew member, just for Balloon Fiesta, and about five years in, I got my first ride. I'm terrified of heights! I never wanted to fly. But after my first ride, I was completely hooked. I started training to get my certificate in 2016, got my private piloting license in 2018, and my commercial in 2022.

2. How did you find yourself at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta?

A customer of mine begged me to come chase balloons with him. I thought they were the worst - I didn't understand why anybody would want to do anything with balloons, but I was hooked on day one. That was back in 2001 and have been attending Balloon Fiesta every year since.

3. As a pilot, what makes Balloon Fiesta special in comparison to other ballooning events?

The overall atmosphere of Balloon Fiesta makes it special in comparison to other ballooning events that I have attended. It’s the one week of the year when everybody gets along and we're all family. I love that. It seems to be that one week that everybody figures out how to play nice.

4. What is something you’re looking forward to at the 2024 event?

I'm looking forward to getting back in the top 10 in the hot air balloon competition. Each year the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta holds a competition with different tasks such as pilots flying to designated targets, pilots dropping a weighted marker on a specified target within Balloon Fiesta Park, and the ring toss where pilots fly into the field from at least one mile away having to toss a ring onto one of the marked poles. All competitions are based on flying accuracy rather than speed. Our team placed 9^th in 2022 and this year in terms of strategy, we’re not listening to other people, and going with our gut instincts.