The man behind the balloon: Get to know pilot Drew Egerton
Long before Drew Egerton earned his pilot’s license, hot air ballooning was already part of his world. Growing up alongside parents who shared his fascination with the skies, Egerton spent his childhood helping with balloon crews, chasing flights and experiencing the thrill of rising above the landscape. Decades later, with nearly 900 hours of flight time and multiple Carolina BalloonFest competition wins, that childhood fascination continues to shape his life.
Egerton’s parents introduced him to ballooning when he was young. In 1986, he attended an event in Greenville, South Carolina, where he experienced balloon rides and joined chase crews that followed balloons after landing. His parents eventually connected with local balloonists in Brevard, where the family spent time helping crews prepare for flights and recover equipment.
“It was just normal to me,” Egerton said. “I was so young and I didn’t feel like I needed to be afraid.”
Although ballooning was a constant throughout his childhood, Egerton did not pursue his pilot’s license until after graduating college. With guidance from a balloon company based in Asheville, he earned his pilots license in 2007 and his commercial license in 2008.
Today, Egerton continues to find new challenges and rewards in every flight. Competitive ballooning requires precision, patience and understanding of changing wind currents. Pilots work to navigate their balloons towards a target, using different wind directions at varying altitudes to influence where they travel.
Despite the technical demands, it is the variety of experiences that keeps him passionate about flying.
“What I really love about it is that there is such a wide range of experiences that you can have that are completely different,” he said. Egerton describes how every time he flies, he always sees a different landscape, experiences different weather and flies with different passengers.
Meanwhile, during competitions, Egerton is faced with an adrenaline rush and the pressure of performing well, while recreational flights offer opportunities to slow down, observe wildlife and enjoy the scenery above.
His passion has a special connection to Statesville’s Carolina BallonFest. Having attended the festival as a child, Egerton has participated as a pilot approximately 15 times over the years and won the competition three times.
For him, returning to the festival means sharing his hometown with his fellow pilots and friends who have traveled from outside the area. He also appreciates the festival's commitment to give back to the community through charitable donations.
“This one is special because we live here,” Egerton said. “It is always nice to stay home in your own bed and have your out-of-town friends come hang with us here.”
Nearly four decades after his first ballooning experience, Egerton continues to find excitement, connection and new challenges in the sky. What began as a childhood fascination has become a lifelong pursuit, one that brings him back to the Carolina BalloonFest year after year.
To learn more how to book a flight with Egerton, visit Air-olina Aviation today!
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