Mike KIJAK

Biography

Started ballooning in 1993. Obtained my commercial license in 1997. I was laid off my

“real job” and created Up & Away Ballooning, Inc. in 1999 from scratch. This was/is a commercial ballooning operation providing site seeing tours in the Sonoma County, CA area. We started with two balloons, one that could carry two riders and a six passenger. Added another six person balloon, then an eight passenger and finally a balloon that could carry 14.

 In 2010, we swapped one of the six person baskets, to a wheelchair accessible basket, the only one of its kind in the country.

 In 2015, I sold the business to Calistoga Balloon Adventures, but the operation remained Up & Away. My wife and I moved to OR, but returned to Sonoma County in 2019.

 In 2019, I was hired on at Up & Away Ballooning as the Site Manager and lead pilot.

 As of this date, I have 3095 hours in hot air balloons with a perfect safety record. I have flown in all the western U.S. states and New Zealand.

First place, 2022 Great Reno Balloon Race.

Competition History
Year Event Country Location Ranking Average
2023The Great Reno Balloon Race 2023United StatesRancho San Rafael Regional Park, Reno, NV15661
2022The Great Reno Balloon RaceUnited StatesReno1842
2021Great Reno Balloon Race 2021United StatesReno, Nevada10705