Hi, My name is Mike Green. Aka ; Mikey, or Ghost Ryder. I started flying with my Uncle ( Dennis Shelley ) in 1981, after he received his Pilots Certificate in 1980. I was 13 or 14 years old at the time. I might be the longest running Student Pilot in History. LOL. I flew with my Uncle on most of his Competition Flights, and many other flights for over 35 years. I have over400 Hours in the Air with my Uncle Dennis, most of them were logged as training Flights for me, with me doing most of the Flying. Unfortunately, we lost my Pilot Log Book. Most of those Flights were at Indianola, Altoona ( Iowa ) Balloona, Galena, Battle Creek, Indianola - for both the Nationals and then after it was the Nationals, it became The Indianola National Balloon Classics. Also Colorado Springs and over 20 years at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We were one of the first Balloon Pilots and Crew to go to FIESTA from the Midwest and Iowa. 

In 2015, My Aunt Faye ( One of the First 100 Female Balloon Pilots in the US ) died suddenly of Cancer. It was Devastating to my Uncle Dennis. He dropped many of his Hobbies including Flying. He sold his Balloon, and as his Crew Chief, I was left holding the bag of the fallout. I had Equipment, Crew, and many Supporters. Fortunately, Another Pilot from Central Iowa, Jimmy Gebhart, recognized my Delima.

Jimmy approached me and asked me if I wanted to fly, and fly independently as a Pilot. I said Yes. Jimmy and his wonderful  wife Cheryl sold me their Balloon “Steppin It Up”, and Jimmy finished my Training. 

I renamed Steppin It Up, to HORIZON !! I have been flying as a PIC since 2017. And I couldn’t be happier !! 

I won Creston, First Place in 2021. And I have participated in Redrock, Cameron MO., NBC, Creston, and FIESTA.

Funny Sidenote :  When I was 3 years old, in the late 1960’s, I climbed up to the top of my grandfathers Silo, and Froze. It took my Grandparents several hours to find me. That Was my first spanking. LOL. My Grandparents had a Farm straight North of Waukee Iowa where we were all born and raised. From that day on, I was scared of Heights. Fast forward to 1981 - My Uncle is now a LTA Pilot. I was the only Boy Grandchild to two people that had 3 Girls. My Aunt Faye and Uncle Dennis had two Girls. I was the closest thing to a son to my them. My Uncle and I were very close. He talked me in to flying with him in 1981, and the rest is History. That Flight cured my apprehension to heights. I have been HOOKED Ever Since !! 

I feel so comfortable flying, maybe even more than driving a car.

If you ever meet me ask me about my fastest Landing. Ask me about my miracle landings close to dark, and ask me about my close calls while flying.

Mike.

PS : My Crew Motto - Sursum et Prorsum, whic means Upward And Onward In Latin.

PSS : My Song - On Top Of The World, By Imagine Dragons.