We’re excited to share what’s been happening at Aviation Ranch, your home for hot air balloon education, training, and aviation adventure in Cordele, Georgia. The past few months have been incredibly busy, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to finally sit down and share some of the highlights with you.

October Adventures

October took us west to a balloon gathering where we enjoyed beautiful flights while supporting a

wonderful husband-and-wife law firm. We experienced incredible flying over enchanted landscapes and had the opportunity to share ballooning education with many new faces.

Some of our team also attended the Statesville Balloon Festival for a short visit. Although unforeseen circumstances cut our time short, it was great to reconnect with the Maverick Team and catch up with longtime friends.

One of our students, Rob Shapiro, was deployed and unable to return to Georgia to continue training. Not to be stopped, Rob and Brooklyn traveled to Maryland, where he logged flights with Patrick Smith, continuing his preparation for an upcoming check ride.

We also enjoyed sharing ballooning with the local community through a speaking engagement at the Lake Blackshear HOA. It was wonderful to answer questions, explain how balloons work, and connect with neighbors who are excited to have Aviation Ranch quite literally in their backyard.

November Highlights

In November, Rob attended the Cameron Maintenance Training Seminar, gaining valuable knowledge that will help us stay ahead in maintenance and safety.

We hosted a Maverick Thanksgiving gathering at the Ranch. While not everyone could attend, we’re thankful for those who joined us to eat, laugh, and enjoy time together. Several improvement projects were started, including shed work, barn siding repairs, trailer parking expansion, tree trimming, land clearing for additional landing fields, and plans to restore proper flow to a creek before the rainy season.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Matt Hunter as a part-time instructor, along with his wife Nicol. They assist with students and passengers as needed and travel between Georgia and Florida, where they operate their own ride business in Lake Wales. They’ve already been an incredible asset to the Ranch family, and we’re truly grateful for all they’ve contributed.

Maverick Pilot Update

Maverick pilot Hunter Nutting recently took his brand-new Racer balloon out for its first flight, and we couldn’t be more excited. Fresh from the factory, it didn’t stay in the bag for long before we had the opportunity to see it soaring over the skies of Cordele.

Hunter continues to push forward in his aviation journey. This January, he will begin Aviation Mechanic school while actively training toward his Commercial Pilot license. At the same time, he’s sharpening his competitive flying skills—proving once again that dedication and passion are what set Maverick pilots apart.

We’re proud to support Hunter as he takes these next big steps in his aviation career and can’t wait to see what’s next.

December & Holiday Giving

This December, we once again adopted six families through the local housing authority for Christmas. Each family’s unique situation allowed us to bless not only young children but also parents and older kids. Giving back in our own community continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.

We also extended holiday cheer to Woodvale Living Care Facility, delivering gift bags and Christmas cards for all 132 residents. Everyone deserves a little Christmas magic, and it was an honor to help make that happen.

Student & Training Milestones

Rob Shapiro successfully completed his Commercial Balloon Check Ride during the second weekend of December. With Adam Magee stepping in on short notice, Rob delivered a solid presentation, demonstrated strong flying skills, and officially filled every space on his license. When he’s not flying balloons, he’ll still be busy with planes and helicopters!

Nick Kelley has been working hard toward his private license. He passed his written exam, completed his solo flight, and will return in January for his check ride. Way to go, Nick!

Karen and David Stewart have begun training and are banking hours in preparation for their next ballooning chapter with their “new-to-them” Aerostar. They’ve passed their written exams and are steadily building skills and confidence.

Continuing Education & Balloon Sales

Already a pilot? We offer continuing education to help you stay current, sharpen skills, and grow within the ballooning community.

We’re also excited to share that multiple commercial balloon quotes have gone out, with some amazing projects in the works. If you’re looking for a new balloon—or know a company interested in a corporate balloon program—we’d love to help.

New Projects at the Ranch

• New concrete has been poured for a private student and office space
• The Blue Barn is receiving new paneling to protect equipment
• Additional pallet racks were installed in the Balloon Barn
• New workbenches and indoor annual inspection space are underway
• The Hunter House on Fenn Road will soon receive a new roof after storm damage and will become our main school building and student housing

These projects take time, but they’re exciting steps forward for Aviation Ranch.

Get in Touch

Have questions or are you ready to get started?

Call Jessica: 813-243-9507

Call Tom: 813-363-2287

Call Rob: 515-779-1018

Visit: www.Aviation-Ranch.com

Thank you for being part of the Aviation Ranch family. We look forward to seeing you on the field and continuing to help you reach new heights.

Blue skies,

The Aviation Ranch Team