Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons is a family owned and operated business offering hot air balloon rides, private flights, tethers, commercial promotions, and flight training in Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Our pilots are proud to have a 100% safety record since 1982, always making every effort to fly the safest and most advanced equipment available.

MEET OUR PILOTS

Tony Saxton

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Scott Saxton

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Dawn Chase

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Dan Pregnar

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OUR LOCATIONS

Northeastern PA

Lackawanna County
North of Scranton, PA

For flight and booking information for our Northeastern PA location contact Tony.

Email: info@weflyhotair.com

Call: 570 945-3008

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Southeastern PA

Central Bucks County
North of Philadelphia, PA

For flight and booking information for our Southeastern PA location contact Scott.

Email: scott@weflyhotair.com

Call: 215 666-2941

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TESTIMONIALS

Scott,

Just wanted to thank you again for a great morning and flight. The professionalism and concern for safety was impressive and reassuring that we made the right choice in booking our first ballooning adventure with you. It was a pleasure sharing our special day with you and your team.

Thanks very much.

“I wanted to say thank you once again for the flight with my AAW guest. That was a pleasant surprise and a much needed one today. When I am up in a hot air balloon my heart melts and my face smiles. There is nothing like it!

Thanks again.”

“Tony, Dan, and Crew:

I would like to thank you for creating a wonderful experience for Joeanne, Katherine, and myself. We had an unbelievable time last Friday. It will be something we never forget. Your team treated us with kindness and sincerity. It is so wonderful to see a group of people doing something they are passionate about. Your main concern was to treat us like royalty and ensure that we enjoyed the experience. It was a fantastic time from start to finish. Thank you so much!

Onward and Upward!”

“Scott,

Tony landed on our farm last weekend. It was so exciting and beautiful. The sky was deep blue, the balloon was gorgeous, and all the people connected to this flight were delightful. We have a dairy farm and ice cream business. Our customers were very surprised when the balloon landed across the street from our ice cream and milk store. It was as if were had entertainment for the evening. What a great time everyone had just watching the landing and storing the balloon. Thank you for the bottle of champagne. It certainly wasn’t necessary. We all just delight in watching the balloons pass over our farm. Again, thank you for the lovely sight and God speed on all your future.”

“Scott,

Thanks again for such a wonderful flight for Jeff. HE LOVED IT!!!! We already had the photos developed late yesterday. Showing them off now at work. Jeff said you were personable, knowledgeable, very informative and had a sense of humor. Gregory was a big help to as we followed him around on the ground. I have given your website this morning to coworkers.

To Tony, his family, & the crew,

We want to thank you for giving us such as awesome experience in many ways. The balloon ride is really something I’ll (we’ll) remember for the rest of our lives. The PA scenery was really beautiful & the weather was perfect. Well worth the wait! We enjoyed the champagne & snacks & the pins & certificates – all unexpected by us. As I mentioned to you, we will recommend you to anyone we know who is interested, for sure. Again, thanks to you for fulfilling one of my dreams. Have a great summer flying. Take care.

“Scott,

The flight went off perfectly and leaving from the park and took us directly across the township. Thanks for being flexible in your planned launch site. It really added to our experience. I would recommend this trip to anyone. The weather was gorgeous, the leaves were turning and numerous sightings of wild life made it a trip of a lifetime. My family really got a birds eye view of how beautiful our township really is. Kind of makes you appreciate the open space we have. You and your crew did a fantastic job and you have our highest recommendation.

To Tony, his family, & the crew,

We want to thank you for giving us such as awesome experience in many ways. The balloon ride is really something I’ll (we’ll) remember for the rest of our lives. The PA scenery was really beautiful & the weather was perfect. Well worth the wait! We enjoyed the champagne & snacks & the pins & certificates – all unexpected by us. As I mentioned to you, we will recommend you to anyone we know who is interested, for sure. Again, thanks to you for fulfilling one of my dreams. Have a great summer flying. Take care.

OUR BALLOONS

MISS MOLLY

Registration: N90WH
Make: Kubicek
Year: 2019
Size: 90,000 cu.ft.
Rachel's Dream

RACHEL’S DREAM

Registration: N327WH
Make: Kubicek
Year: 2014
Size: 130,000 cu.ft.

TOO BODACIOUS

Registration: N522WH
Make: FireFly
Year: 2006
Size: 90,000 cu.ft.
Peace and Quiet

PEACE AND QUIET

Registration: N823WH
Make: Saxton
Year: 2017
Size: 56,000 cu.ft.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons will be attending:

The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally
July 15 - 17, 2022
Island Park, Wellsville, NY
Balloons Attending: Miss Molly, Rachel's Dream, Peace and Quiet
wellsvilleballoonrally.com/

Spiedie Fest Balloon Rally
August 5 - 7, 2022
Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, NY
Balloons Attending: Rachel's Dream
spiediefest.com

Lancaster Balloon Festival
September 16 - 18, 2022
Bird-In-Hand, PA
Balloons Attending: Miss Molly, Too Bodacious, Rachel's Dream
lancasterballoonfest.com

Adirondack Balloon Festival
September 23 - 25, 2022
Queensbury, NY
Balloons Attending: Too Bodacious, Peace and Quiet
adirondackballoonfest.org

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Tentative)
October 1 - 9, 2022
Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, NM
Balloons Attending: Too Bodacious
balloonfiesta.com

CREWING

Crewing

EARN FREE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES

Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons is looking for anyone interested in becoming a hot air balloon ground crew member. Hot air balloons require a team of three to six members in order for them to fly. Also, crewing for a balloon is usually the first step in becoming a pilot. Not everyone desires to become a pilot, but enjoy the adventure of being a balloon crew member.

More Info

Here is how it works:

Come out and crew for us and earn time in the basket. You can take the ride yourself or give the certificate to someone else as a gift. If you are interested in becoming a pilot, you can also trade crew time for flight instruction.

The qualifications are pretty simple. You must be physically fit and willing to work. We prefer that crew members possess a valid driver’s license and are over 16 years of age. Families are welcome. We carry 40 gallons of propane on board so NON SMOKERS are also preferred! Being a crew person involves lifting and occasionally running. Because this is our business, we expect crew to dress appropriately. That means sturdy shoes (no sandals), casual clothing (jeans and golf shirts are great). Everyone is required to wear gloves.

Your responsibilities will include helping during the inflation and pack-up of the balloon. During the flight you may be required to drive the chase vehicle and follow the balloon during its flight. You will also be interacting with our passengers, so appropriate behavior and language is expected.

If you are a dedicated and interested person, then give us a call and we’ll be happy to explain more about it and what you can expect. We look forward to hearing from you.

PILOT BIOGRAPHIES

Tony Saxton

Tony has been involved in ballooning since he was nine years old. His interest started when he saw a balloon fly over his home and his brother Scott insisted they chase the balloon. Tony crewed for a local hot air balloon team and eventually learned to fly. Tony received his Commercial Pilots Certificate in 2000. During his career in ballooning, Tony has crewed or flown balloons in France, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and numerous US states. He has also had the opportunity to fly several special shapes including Balloon Hilda, Chesty the Marine BullDog, Uncle Sam, Matrioshka and PEA-NUT the Flying Elephant. Some of his most memorable flights are a flight through the Delaware Water Gap at 55 mph and his flight to 15,000 feet over Lancaster County.

Ballooning never gets old for Tony. Every flight is unique and he loves to get others involved in the sport as well as teach his crew members to fly. One of the BEST things about ballooning is the people that Tony, his brother, and crew have met over the years. Tony has participated as a pilot for the Great Eastern Balloon Camp and Assistant Director of the Keystone State Balloon Camp, where he has helped introduce 30 kids between the ages of 13 and 17 to the sport of hot air ballooning. Tony is currently serving his 9th year on the board of the Great Eastern Balloon Association. Over this time he has served as a director at large and several years as President. Tony is also the Northeast Regional Director to the Balloon Federation of America (BFA). The BFA is balloonings national balloon organization. He emphasizes and promotes safety in ballooning across the country.

Scott Saxton

Scott Saxton has been around hot air balloons since the age of two. Once old enough, he began crewing, and then eventually started pilot training in 1994. Scott received his Private FAA License in 1998, and then his Commercial FAA License in 2001. He and his brother Tony founded Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons, Inc in March of 2003. In 2005, the company expanded to fly passengers in both Northeastern and Southeastern PA. Scott has crewed for and flown balloons throughout the United States and Mexico, including flying the Corn Palace Balloon Club special shapes, Liberty Bell special shape, and Pea-Nut the Flying Elephant special shape.

Dawn Chase

Dawn Chase is a commercial balloon pilot from Fleetville, PA. She started her balloon career as a child when, in 1983, her dad was offered to go for a balloon flight from Mike Fairbanks. Her dad fell in love with ballooning, got involved with his family and eventually earned his pilot’s license. Dawn grew up in ballooning and learned to fly from her dad and his close ballooning friends. She has been a pilot since 2007. Dawn received her commercial pilot license in 2011. Dawn has flown in numerous US States, Mexico and Canada. She looks forward to adding to that list! Some of Dawn’s most memorable flights were Dawn Patrol at Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM; flying in the Red Rocks of Gallup, NM; flying over the Bluff, Utah valley and flying over the foggy Delaware River. The thing Dawn loves most about being in a balloon is that if feels as if you are standing still while the world spins past below you.

Dan Pregnar

Dan was introduced to the sport of hot air ballooning in the early 1980’s. Dan is very important to Tony and Scott Saxton since he was one of the pilots who trained them to fly. Dan’s wife Cathy also enjoys participating in ballooning. His three girls Kelly, Kimberly, and Amy all grew up around balloons and still enjoy being part of the ground crew. Amy is currently a student pilot. Dan has flown balloons in Canada, Switzerland, France, and numerous US states. When not flying balloons, Dan enjoys riding snowmobiles during the winter months. We are glad to have Dan as one of our pilots.

BALLOONING HISTORY

Montgolfier Brothers
Montgolfier Brothers

History reveals that man has always wanted to fly. Early cave drawings show man attempting to fly with wings. It wasn’t until the curiosity of two brothers named Joseph and Etienne Montgolifier would flight for man be possible.

Joseph and Etienne were in the paper manufacturing business, and developed a new paper which was a combination of paper and silk. When they watched paper burn they noticed that little pieces of unburned paper and ashes would rise into the air. They were very fascinated by this phenomenon. They decided if they could capture this air man would be able to use this to fly.

At first they thought that most of this “magical power” came from smoke. Then they discovered if they captured the smoke in just the right way within small bags, the bags would eventually rise into the air. Later they figured out if they made a large “bag” containing enough of this “magical power,” it could ascend high into the sky lifting considerable weight. At that time they didn’t realize why heated air made a “Balloon” rise into the sky. We now know that when air is heated it becomes less dense inside the balloon than the air outside the balloon allowing it to rise.

The first hot air balloon flight was conducted by the Montgolfier brothers from Annonay, France on June 5, 1783. The envelope was made of linen and paper. The unmanned balloon had a volume of 23,308 cubic feet and the air within was heated from a fire on the ground. The first passengers were actually a pig, duck, and rooster. The Montgolfier balloon flew 1 mile from the starting point. On November 21, 1783, Pilatre de Rozier and Marquis d’Arlandes made the first manned flight in a Montgolfier balloon from the center of Paris to the city’s suburbs.

Also in 1783, on August 27th, a French chemist Jacques Charles invented a different type of balloon that used hydrogen to get its lift. Hydrogen had just been discovered several years before and was very explosive. These gas balloons competed very effectively with hot air balloons for many years.

Eventually, the Irish added a toast for hot air ballooning that reads as follows:

“The winds have welcomed us with softness. The sun has blessed us with its warm hands. We have flown so high and so well that God has set us gently back into the loving arms of mother earth.”

Basically there were very few advances to ballooning for about 150 years. People then became interested in fixed wing aircraft (airplanes). The rebirth of ballooning occurred in 1960. Gas ballooning was expensive and the balloons were hard to control. Ed Yost developed basic techniques that made hot air ballooning practical. He built a balloon made of nylon and heated the air inside the balloon with a propane burner. Even though the balloon was primitive, Ed Yost is considered to be the father of modern day ballooning.

One of the most important improvements to hot air balloons is the parachute valve, sometimes called the deflation vent, located at the top of the balloon. Yost’s balloon used a rip vent, a seal which could not be resealed and let all of the air escape at once. Then Tracy Barnes of The Balloon Works developed the parachute valve, that when pulled down by a line would let some of the air out of the balloon. The remaining air inside of the balloon caused the valve to push back upward and reseal itself in the top of the balloon when the line was released. This allowed pilots to open and close the valve during the flight if necessary to control their altitude and land with air remaining in the balloon.

Today, most balloon baskets are made of rattan wicker. Balloon baskets come in two main shapes: rectangular or triangular. In addition to carrying the passengers and pilot, the basket also contains the propane tanks, burner, and instruments. One instrument that shows the vertical speed up or down is called the Variometer. The second instrument that shows the temperature at the top of the balloon and the ambient temperature is the digital temperature gauge. The third instrument is the Altimeter which tells how high the balloon is above sea level.

There have been recent improvements in fabrics used to manufacture balloons. Taffeta has replaced nylon in many cases because of its ability to withstand higher temperatures. Both taffeta and nylon fabrics are treated with a coating to better contain the heat and provide ultraviolet protection. All fabrics used in balloons are certified by the FAA for use.

All of these improvements along with good pilot training have made hot air ballooning one of the safest forms of air travel.