Mr. Hugh Ehrlich, a native Californian, founder/owner and Chief Pilot, has been ballooning for over 25 years and has his FAA Commercial Pilot's license (required for all balloonists). He continues to be involved in major hot air ballooning events including but not limited to: the Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR) in Reno, Nevada;
the Antelope Valley Labor Day Sky Parade in Lancaster, CA; Bear Valley 4th of July Celebration in Bear Valley Springs, CA (Tehachapi Mountains); and recently the Cedar City Skyfest in Cedar City, Utah where Hugh was the Balloonmeister.

In 2005, he concluded seven years of successfully coordinating "The Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Festival to benefit the Sproul Ranch Inc.'s "Deaf Kids' Kamp". (www.deafkidskamp.com). Adventure Balloons sponsors "Deaf Kids' Kamp" 100%.

In September, 2006, Hugh won 1st Place at the Great Reno Balloon Race out of 106 other Pilots.

He proudly flies several different balloons:

"Smile High" which has "personality in the sky" and is used mostly in competition events or for large groups;

"Gator II" which "toasts his champagne glass" to you in the air;

The RE/MAX balloon in Nevada, which he is contracted to fly;

And the newest members to his fleet, a pair of 115-foot airships, to be used commercially as advertising tools.

In addition to ballooning, he has his Masters Degree, is a former school teacher (with an emphasis in Special Ed), speaks Japanese, enjoys judo, weight lifting, and traveling. Since 1999, he has participated in and supported the "Deaf Kids' Kamp" and "Silent Weekend," a fundraiser for the "Deaf Kids' Kamp." (Since 1992, the "Deaf Kids' Kamp" has provided a FREE one week residential kamp to over 500 deaf children ONLY from the ages of 6-17 from the USA and Canada.)

He is married, has four children, and four grandchildren.

We hope you enjoy your flight!

Flight Administrator

Buffy Sproul is the Flight Administrator, Crew Person, and Executive Director of the Deaf Kids' Kamp, which Adventure Balloons supports 100%.

Crew Chief

Buffy Sproul is also the Crew Chief and Director of Ground Support during the flights.