Guide at a Glance
Locations
Poughkeepsie, New York, United States
Activities
Adventure, Hot Air Ballooning
Guiding Experience
52 years
Languages
English
Guide Bio
Bill Hughes is the Balloon meister extraordinaire of Blue Sky Balloons. He is a former US Navy pilot with over 9,000 hours of flight experience in everything from jets to helicopters. In 1973, Bill helped Malcolm Forbes make a transcontinental flight across the U.S., and he became a Pilot Examiner and Safety Counsellor designated by the FAA.
Bill also has served as “Balloonmeister” for many major balloon events with a perfect safety record throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, winning numerous events. He is the past Vice President and board member of the Balloon Federation of America. In winter when the weather isn’t suitable for balloon flying, Bill spends time travelling the U.S. helping students for their FAA Pilot Written Examinations. In Liberty Balloon School, Bill has trained over 2,700 pilots in 34 states over the last 29 years.
