Betsy Kleiss originally intended to use her degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois University to teach P.E. But after graduating college and waiting for a teaching position to open, she took a job at the UI. She has been here ever since. For 17 years, she has worked as an Admissions and Records Officer, admitting graduate students to the various colleges on campus.
Betsy and her husband, Mike, who is a research specialist at the South Farms, have a 14-year-old daughter, Kelli. For fun, Mike plays banjo, often with local bands. Betsy’s idea of fun is to navigate 80,000-cubic feet of hot air over Champaign County in a pink-and-black balloon called Flambanggo.
She’ll be flying in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships’ sports division in Rantoul, Aug. 6-15.
How did you get interested in flying hot air balloons?
While on vacation in Santa Fe in October 1990, a girlfriend and I went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for three straight days. We basically lived there, and the last day we got to crew.
What do you mean you ‘got to crew’?
That means you get the balloon out of the trailer or pickup truck, put it down on the ground, inflate it, help the pilot launch off the field, chase the pilot around while the balloon is in the air and then you try to be where the pilot lands. And after that you help pick it up.
How did you get involved in ballooning back here in Champaign-Urbana?
My girlfriend talked me into joining the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois. We went to a hot-air ballooning class taught by Stan Jenkins at the Champaign Park District. When it became flyable in the spring I started crewing for Stan and then the fun began. I loved it, especially the camaraderie. It is a very family-oriented sport. And I like to see the excitement of a first-time rider when they go up in a balloon.
Did you intend to just be a crew person?
At first I did. But once I had what I call burner time — where I actually heat the balloon up so we can fly where we’re going to fly — I knew I had to be a pilot. It was just so much fun flying in the air and deciding if you’re going to gain altitude or drop to fly low. It was a very awesome feeling.
So then?
I bought a balloon.
How does one go about buying a balloon? Is it expensive?
I ordered my balloon from a company in Ann Arbor, Mich. I bought the envelope, which is the fabric portion, brand new — and I bought the basket and burners from a local pilot here. And I started taking lessons.
And, yes, it is expensive. Right now, to get a brand new balloon you’d probably have to pay a minimum of $20,000. So that’s why I chose to buy a new envelope and a used bottom end.
It was that important to you?
Yes. I’ve never had so much fun in my life. I have friends all over the country. I could show up on their doorstep and I know I’d have a place to stay that night. People who are in ballooning are very friendly, very trustworthy, very honest people and they always open their doors to another pilot or crew member who just shows up.
Do you have your own set of people who crew for you?
No, I have a lot people who crew for me and I just start calling when I think it’s going to be ‘flyable.’
What do you consider ‘flyable’? And where do you launch?
No rain or thunderstorms in the area and the winds usually have to be 10 mph or less. And although you can balloon year-round, balloons can only fly within two hours of sunrise and two hours of sunset to avoid thermal activity during the day,
A lot of times we’ll take off from Centennial High School’s band field, Parkland College or we’re allowed to take off from any of the Urbana or Champaign city parks.
Who goes up with you?
I’m insured to take up to two passengers. I just became a commercial pilot in November which means I can take paid rides. That fee is $175 for a ride with a champagne toast afterwards.
So have you found your passion in life?
I just live to balloon. In fact, I have a Christmas savings account that I use to go out to the Albuquerque Kodak International Balloon Fiesta every year. Last year I flew with 870-plus balloons. That’s scary. But this is it. I’m going to balloon until I die.
