Choosing a Pilot Choosing a pilot for a corporate balloon can be the single most important factor which will affect the outcome of the marketing program. Many pilots dream of being able to find a sponsor to pay for their hobby, but few realize that an incredible amount of work and experience is required to develop a successful marketing campaign. Corporate ballooning requires an outstanding pilot to insure its success. The pilot must be able to work well with people, work under pressure, and needs to recognize opportunities as they present themselves. To best utilize a corporate balloon, you'll want a pilot who has a lot of experience flying balloons in very congested areas.
Sport pilots prefer to fly over open country, far away from major population centers.
A corporate pilot will readily fly over major metropolitan areas and work with the FAA to make sure the flights can be accomplished safely and legally. A professional corporate balloon pilot realizes that the primary goal is to promote the sponsor. There are many marketing opportunities that appear while a balloon team is on the road. The professional pilot will recognize these opportunities and be flexible enough to do whatever is necessary to provide maximum exposure for the sponsor. When choosing a corporate pilot, the sponsor will be best served by an individual with plenty of management experience.