Father & Son Ballooning in Albuquerque

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2021 has supplied a unique opportunity for Exclusive Ballooning’s Johnny Hodge and his dad to fly alongside each other for the first time in their ballooning careers.

As a core member of Exclusive Ballooning’s USA operation, Johnny Hodge was most notably a member of the Fly Every State word record-setting project in 2016.

His dad, Art Hodge, has been flying balloons since 1982, gaining his commercial rating in 1986. As key inspiration for Johnny’s entry into ballooning, Art flew the Remax contract for over 30 years.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2021 has supplied the unique opportunity for father and son to fly alongside each other for the first time in their careers. With Johnny flying Splash the penguin and Art taking to the skies in Duma the cheetah.

Speaking with Johnny Hodge:

“He told me last night that one of his flying career goals was to fly a special shape balloon. Well he’s doing just that here in Albuquerque!

He’s been my role model since as long as I can remember. I’m glad that we both get to fly here, together, for the first time in our ballooning lives! Always have dreamed of flying alongside my dad, and what better place to do it for the first time here in the land of enchantment.”