Our Pilots - The Best in the Industry | Balloons Above the Valley

OUR PILOTS

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Trained, Experienced, World Class Pilots Providing Hot Air Balloon Rides in Napa Valley

Jacob Molnar

Jacob Molnar

Pilot

Jacob has been around balloons all his life. As a third generation pilot, Jacob experienced his first balloon ride when he was just 6 months old. still in diapers! While he grew up flying in the Napa Valley, he has also flown in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Arizona. He looks forward to sharing the beauty of the Napa Valley with the new friendly faces he meets each day and giving them the best balloon ride they can imagine!

When Jacob is not in a balloon, he can be found spending time with family, riding motorcycles, hiking, mountain biking or anything outdoors!”

Chad Cassell

Chad Cassell

Pilot

Chad grew up in Pennsylvania and was raised in a ballooning family so his flying began when he was a young boy. His career as a commercial hot air balloon pilot has taken him to many parts of the country including his hometown of Chester Springs, PA, as well as Driggs, ID and Phoenix, AZ before joining our team here in Napa.

Chad is a hot air balloon instructor and also volunteers with the Balloon Federation of America Youth Camp committee.

Russ James

Russ James

Pilot

Interested in things that fly from an early age, Russ learned to fly balloons for the recreational aspect. Raised in the rural central valley of California, this self-proclaimed “hick-from-the-sticks” has been flying for over 25 plus years with over 20 years in Napa Valley.

Russ is aalso a longtime flight instructor and often shares his passion for safety at pilot safety seminars. Russ can guarantee that his hot air balloon rides in Napa Valley will leave you in awe. Russ’ family includes more than a dozen other balloon pilots scattered from coast to coast, insuring there is never “nothing” to talk about at family gatherings. When not flying Russ keeps up the family farm, raising rice and cattle.

Come fly with us!

It’s time to embark on a truly memorable adventure!