✈ Aviation Ranch News | Summer Edition

The latest updates from the Maverick Ballooning Family & Aviation Ranch

🟣 Pilot Highlights & Adventures

✈ Jenna Takes to the Skies Solo!

We’re thrilled to announce that Jenna completed her solo flight—and absolutely knocked it out of the park! We’re blessed she shared her experience in her own words as well as Tom and Jessica followed along on her adventure virtually with our Life360 app.

Solo : A Dream Come True (Jenna Litton)

Soloing has been a dream of mine since I first started training, but I never imagined it would

happen in my very own balloon. After getting home from balloon camp, I checked the weather

and saw the next morning was perfect. I found a crew, charged all my electronics, and went to bed nervous but excited. As I drove to the field, I reflected on all the things I needed to know. I felt confident and was ready to solo. As my balloon inflated, I watched my dad take off. This was a full circle moment. I knew from my first flight, which was with him, that I wanted to be a pilot.

We have spent countless hours flying together and just talking about ballooning. 

Before I took off, I sent a Glympse to all the important people: my family, my crew, my friends, and of course,Tom and Jessica. Along with the glympse I said solo time. Even though they could not be there, they got to watch me from afar. I take off and start following my dad, thanks for being the pi-ball Dad! I had a beautiful flight across town. I remember at one point having a moment of panic, like Oh my goodness, I am alone up here, but at the same time, a feeling of I know what I am doing, and this is the coolest thing ever. Once I crossed town, I started working towards a landing spot. I found the perfect spot but had to make a steep approach, nothing that I hadn’t practiced while I was training. I hit the ground a little harder than I anticipated, so I just laid the balloon over.  My crew knew I was on the ground safely, so I immediately called Tom to let him know how my first solo went. I knew I was soloing, but as I was on the phone, it hit me that I just soloed in my balloon, a dream come true.

 

Once I got packed up and did all the celebration things, sparkling juice toast, shirt cutting, lots of pictures, and then, of course, breakfast, word had gotten out that I soloed, so many people commented and texted me congratulating me on this accomplishment.

 

The whole flight, I thought about everything I’ve learned and how truly blessed I am to have so

many people in my corner. So many have played a role in shaping me into the pilot I am today.

To everyone who has trained me, encouraged me, listened to me, and believed in me, thank you. I couldn’t be more thankful for my ballooning family! Tom, Jessica, and the entire Ranch family, your investment in me means so much to me. You’ve done more for me than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to share the skies with you all soon, this time, as an official pilot.

✈ Lauren Sawin’s Cross-Country Summer

Lauren has taken off on an exciting summer ballooning journey across the U.S., with flights in South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Cordele, and other incredible places. We can’t wait to follow her travels and hear the stories she brings back. Here is the story she shared flying in South Dakota.

Lauren’s SD Adventure:  As a new private hot air balloon pilot used to flying in the Southeast, I jumped at the chance to train with Kay and Mark West in South Dakota’s Black Hills this past July. Over two weeks, we completed five flights, starting with an eye-opening first flight that introduced me to aggressive flying with a near-terminal descent into the final landing site. The remaining flights taught me how to navigate etiquette around large ride balloons, handle anabatic winds and turbulence over ridge lines, and balance flying the balloon with navigation.

I learned constantly, from big-picture concepts to the nitty-gritty of balloon maintenance and small ways to make my crew’s lives easier. The biggest lesson, and ironically the simplest, was the need for decisive action. When flying, if the wind shifts unfavorably or another balloon gets too close, you must quickly assess the situation and make a deliberate choice.  Hesitating or freezing from indecisiveness can mean missing a safe landing or heading in an undesirable direction. Trust your instincts and don’t just float around aimlessly.  I’m so excited to get back to my own balloon and test out the new skills I’ve learned!

 

✈ Jett at the National Women’s Championship

Jett McDaniel took on the National Women’s Championship, supported by an all-star Maverick crew: Lauren, Jenna, and Brock. The team gained valuable insights and experiences in competitive ballooning—lessons that will no doubt fuel their future flights! They sported the Aviation Ranch truck and learned how to use the strobe lights (their favorite part). We received so many compliments about this group and we are blessed that they made such an impact on the people around them as well as built a great relationship throughout the week. We can’t wait to see what direction they will be headed in for next year. Jett thanks for setting a good example for this group.

✈ Congrats to Keirn Gawthrop!

Keirn has been very patient while we waited for a DPE to become available and weather played its part, but with all that waiting we are proud to share he has passed his private certificate check ride with flying colors and even got the opportunity to take a few scenic flights over Iowa. We’re proud of his hard work and determination. Looking forward to seeing you in the air with a big smile on your face as you build those hours and share the joy of ballooning! Fly Safe

🟣 Mavericks at the Classics

The Maverick group gathered at the Nutting compound for some amazing flying at the Indianola, Iowa Classics.

• Rob flew competition with an incredible crew: Hunter, Sophia, Lauren, Erika and Brooklyn.
• A surprise visit from Tom, Jessica, and Mason added to the fun and excitement with the kick off of the Balloon Classics and the delivery of a basket that Eric Wiggins gratefully brought to us from Texas. We enjoyed lots of 7Brew Coffee, a trip to the Balloon Museum, an Amazing Car Show and the Adults beat the “Baby” Adults in the Escape Room Challenge.
• A heartfelt thank you to the Nutting Family for stepping up and transporting the Thompsons’ car back to Florida and for taking the ranch camper to Iowa for Sophia and Lauren to stay in while they were visiting Iowa. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Classics and although we did not walk away winners, we did all have a great time flying over the beautiful terrain and meeting new people.

Unfortunately, Connie Thompson suffered a fall during the trip, resulting in a broken hip. She underwent surgery and was able to return home quickly via air. Please join us in wishing her a smooth and speedy recovery. The Nuttings brought their car back to Florida and dropped off the newly acquired basket for refurbishing to Jeff.

🟣 Training & Certification Updates

Big things are happening in training!
Thanks to a generous offer from The Balloon Training Academy, our Maverick Division now has access to the academy’s online platform as well as the Aviation Ranch platform of training. They can use all the tools to be the best pilot they can be!!

Currently in training:

• Lauren, Hunter, and Danielle – Working toward their Commercial License 
• Jenna – Preparing for her check ride 
• Sophia and Mason – Pursuing their Private License 

If you know a young adult (ages 19–30) with a passion for ballooning, nominate them at:
🌐 www.Aviation-Ranch.com/Maverick/

🎓 More Educational Content Coming Soon!

Roger Clark is collaborating with several of our Ranch brother pilots to develop training videos and podcast content focused on ballooning education.

While coordinating schedules for podcasts has been a challenge, the team is actively working behind the scenes to bring valuable insights, expert Q&As, and skill-building content to our community. Stay tuned!

🟢 Ranch Report

Things are buzzing at the Ranch!

• Tom got the golf course mower running—fast and efficient, though it needs constant TLC. It puts a nice beautiful cut on the grass with its 15 foot wingspan, but can be a little temperamental in the process. Cutting the grass sometimes becomes a mechanics nightmare.
• The grass is peaking, and yes, you can practically watch it grow from the porch! We are up to mowing once a week (or every 5 days). Weedeating takes up most of Hunter’s time and Steve is putting some miles on that golf cart picking up limbs and keeping the road trash cleaned up.
• Minor upgrades are ongoing: painting, trim, and landscaping. Over the Summer we worked on doing some finishing touches to some of the rooms that we had not had time for in the past. Resealing windows and putting in some updated doors. Don’t worry it is a never ending list of things to do…..
• Hunter is tackling trail maintenance, with the whole crew helping out after summer storms. While they were away the trails have grown up and needed some attention. He is also continuing the maintenance of the Pecan trees as they need to be cleaned up and fertilized as well as some branches that are low hanging. Pecan trees are not the strongest tree and sometimes the branches trim themselves, leaving a mess and sometimes a broken fence behind.
• New Cabins Coming Soon – We’ve made a deal to bring in new cabins from a KOA campground in Nashville! There’s lots to plan: Logistics in relocating them as well as electric, plumbing, location, and setup. This will provide new housing for students in the near future as well as extra beds during events. Having a place to stay at the ranch helps reduce the cost to weary balloonists, crews, students, and Mavericks. It is important to have a comfortable place to hang even if it is for one night or one week. This process will not be quick but it will be worth it!

🔧 School Expansion Plans

While we await FAA approval for 141 School Status, we’re planning to go bigger this winter:

• New classroom space
• Larger common areas 
• Functional kitchen, study lounge, and bunk rooms

 

• Clearing some more fields for launch and landing 

We’re thinking ahead and laying the groundwork to make 2026 our best year yet.

Thank you all for being part of this amazing journey—whether in the sky or on the ground.

Stay safe, keep flying, and keep chasing those sunrises and watching those sunsets! Every day is a blessing!