Lighter than air, stronger than steel, and nothing less than fantastical
The relationship between pilot and hot air balloon was on display at the 2021 Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
WHEN JANET SOFFERA saw an ad requesting volunteers for the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally in 2013, the newcomer to Taos thought, why not? “I have a background in event organization and thought it would be a good way to meet people,” reflected Soffera.
Never mind the fact she had never attended a balloon rally. With her gregarious personality, Soffera embraced her newly-appointed volunteer role matching pilots with hotel rooms. It was then when she met Cliff Keller. The pilot offered her the opportunity to crew for him and take her on a hot air balloon ride.
She laughed as she said, “I guess in my case what they say is true. Your first ride is free, your second ride costs $45,000.” For Soffera, it was more than getting to know the pilots as she volunteered at the rally, or the experience assisting Keller, or even her first flight with him that sealed the deal. It was more about the genuine feeling of belonging. She saw the support and felt the camaraderie at the tailgating experience that happens after the balloon flights. “Even as a volunteer, I felt like I belonged.”
One year later, Soffera had banked a lot of volunteer time assisting pilots on their flights and she flew whenever she had the opportunity. Her responsibilities in her volunteer role at the rally had
grown. She was seriously considering whether or not she should or could buy a balloon and become a pilot. “I wanted control over when I could fly and not just hope someone would offer me a ride but the biggest obstacle for me was wondering if I deserved it,” Soffera explained. “That took me a long time.”
The journey Soffera has taken from feeling apprehensive and questioning her ‘balloon worthiness’, to where she is today is every bit the substance of an inspirational TED Talk. The once insecure woman who wondered if she could become a pilot in a male-dominated sport not only proved she has the drive and determination but she has also
demonstrated a courage and conviction stronger than steel.
Hot air balloon pilots, their equipment, and their flights are regulated by the FAA. Despite the fact that a hot air balloon is lighter than air and the average flight is one hour, according to the FAA a flight is a flight. Pilots are required to take hours of classroom and flight training as they have ‘souls on board’ just as airline pilots do.
Unlike most airline pilots, however, hot air balloon pilots own their equipment and therefore form similar relationships that sailors have with their boats and captains have with their ships. Soffera’s balloon is aptly named, ‘Vacation’. The first time she saw the 105,000 cubic envelope (the technical term for the ‘balloon’), was on the cover of a New Mexico Vacation Guide. She wanted a balloon with the name ‘Vacation’ or ‘Soul Food’. When a friend called
to tell her about a balloon for sale, she saw the magazine cover with the word ‘Vacation’ across the top and the caption, ‘Adventure that feeds the soul.’ “I knew I had found my balloon,” commented Soffera.
Before taking anyone on ‘Vacation’ while the envelope is being filled with air, Soffera can be seen privately circling the large canvas looking for anything that may be unsafe or concerning. And then, she walks inside the massive envelope while it is being filled with air. “That’s my time to connect with my balloon. It’s my way of checking myself to make sure I’m fit to fly and that my balloon is fit to fly. I feel the energy of Vacation and I listen to my intuition. It is a magical, spiritual moment that’s part of my flight routine,” she explained.
There was, however, one time when Soffera altered her routine. She did