Legacy Ballooning

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Legacy Ballooning

With over 25 years of piloting experience, Legacy Ballooning is Michigan's only female-owned and operated hot air balloon ride business.

Celebrate that special occasion, fulfill a bucket list dream, or seek a new adventure with us.

06/01/2026

We had so much fun playing in our new racer balloon in South Lyon last night with 7 of our balloon friends!

05/17/2026

We will be at our first balloon festival of the year this weekend Balloons Over Bavarian Inn flying our new competition balloon, named Pursuit!

05/06/2026

No Mother’s Day gift? We got you.

Glide over shimmering lakes, spot wildlife, and drift through beautiful woodlands during a private hot air balloon ride for 2 that’s entirely her own adventure. Think private jet vs. packed tour bus, but with breathtaking views.

It also makes the perfect group gift! Split it between siblings and make it one everyone is proud to give.

DM me the word GIFT and I’ll send you the link to purchase a gift certificate! We fly through October.

🎈 Private flights | Oakland County, MI
📍 Milford/South Lyon/Brighton area

michigangiftideas

05/04/2026

You’ve met the crew, now meet the pilot! For those of you who are new around here, I’m Dawn, your pilot and the owner of Legacy Ballooning, Michigan’s only female-owned and operated hot air balloon ride business. I was literally born into this sport. Some families ski — mine flies hot air balloons. My dad, four of his brothers, my cousin, and I make up seven Gauthier family pilots, and I’m the only female among them.

My dad was a pioneer in Michigan’s hot air ballooning scene, providing passenger rides for more than 45 years, competing, and building a beloved local ballooning community. I grew up crewing for him on passenger flights and traveling the country as his crew chief at competitions. I got my FAA pilot’s license at 19 and went from crewing for him to flying beside him. I’ve now been a FAA licensed pilot for 28 years.

Ballooning is my passion, and this summer I’ll be flying in my fourth U.S. Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championship, an event that brings together the top female pilots in the country. Every competition keeps my skills sharp and brings that same precision to every flight here in Oakland County.

When you fly with Legacy Ballooning, you’re not just booking a balloon ride. You’re stepping into a family legacy that spans generations, with a team that is passionate about giving every passenger an unforgettable experience.

We hope to fly with you soon!

05/02/2026

Meet Greg — crewing since 2017 and a welcome part of the Legacy Ballooning team. Greg helps with everything from inflation before we leave the ground to packing up after we land.

What keeps him coming back? The joy and excitement ballooning brings to everyone we meet along the way, from the landowners and neighbors who wander over to the people who pull up to chat while waiting for us to fly by, especially those experiencing a hot air balloon for the very first time. That moment never gets old. He also loves the teamwork that comes with the sport, and enjoys the unique challenges that come with crewing at competitions.

Greg’s post wraps up our crew spotlight series, and we hope it gives you a sense of the team that’s with you every step of the way. From inflation to landing, Jeff, Greg, and Lynn are dedicated to making sure every passenger has the safest, most memorable experience possible. When you fly with Legacy Ballooning, you’re in good hands — all of them.

04/29/2026

Meet my mom Lynn, who has been part of the ballooning community for 50 years. She started crewing in 1975 when my dad got his pilot’s license, and she never stopped. Five decades later, she’s still out in the field at every flight and every competition, doing whatever it takes to make sure we’re ready to fly.

Lynn helps with inflation and makes sure I have everything I need before I leave the ground — gloves, radios, instruments, strikers, the Insta360 camera for those amazing aerial shots, and yes, even a bottle of water for me and my passengers. She’ll tell you ballooning is simple and beautiful, and that the people it brings into your life are unlike any other.

Her favorite moments are the teamwork and camaraderie of the crew, and seeing the reaction and excitement from passengers after they land.

50 years in, and she’s been part of this ballooning community longer than most. 🎈

04/27/2026

Meet Jeff — our Crew Chief and the person who keeps everything running seamlessly on the ground so we can have an amazing flight in the sky. 15 years in, Jeff knows every phase of a flight inside and out, and his favorite thing to do with that knowledge is share it. Whether it's at a community festival or a curious crowd gathered along the way, Jeff is always happy to talk ballooning with anyone who's interested — genuinely hoping it sparks something in them. What keeps him coming back after all these years? The people. He'll tell you that in ballooning, if someone needs help, others jump in before being asked. That's the community he loves, and it's exactly the one he helps create. And if you've ever watched us land and wondered how our crew is already there, calm and ready, before we even touch down — that's Jeff.

04/25/2026

You see the hot air balloon. You see the pilot. But there's a whole team behind all of it making every flight happen that most people never think about — and without them, we simply can't fly. This week, we're introducing the Legacy Ballooning crew and giving them the spotlight they deserve.

Before every flight, our crew is hard at work getting the balloon set up, pulling out the equipment, laying out the envelope, holding open the mouth, and holding the crown line steady as the balloon comes upright. Once we're in the air, they're chasing on the ground and keeping in touch by visual and radio contact, navigating to wherever the wind decides to take us. When we land, they help us deflate in a safe location, pack up, and make sure our passengers and landowners are taken care of.

Ballooning is not an individual sport — the ground crew is an essential and integral part, and nothing is more valuable for a good and successful flight than a well-trained crew. Ours are the best. Stay tuned.

04/20/2026

L-I-V-I-N. 🎈

Private hot air balloon flights for 2 in Oakland County, Michigan. We fly with an Insta360 camera so you leave with aerial photos that are completely one of a kind.

Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, or that thing you’ve always said you wanted to do — book the link in our bio.

💌 Tag someone you want to go for a ride with

📍 Oakland County, Michigan · Metro Detroit

04/18/2026

Just you, the pilot, the sky, and a view you’ll never forget.

Private hot air balloon flights for 2 — right here in metro Detroit. Limited spots this summer, and they’re going fast.

These aren’t just rides. It’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, or just because — this is the experience that beats any gift you could wrap.

We’re the only female-owned hot air balloon company in Michigan, and the only one sending you home with stunning aerial photos from our Insta360 camera. You won’t get these shots anywhere else.

Ready to make it real? Book your flight at the link in our bio before your date is gone.

📍 Oakland County, Michigan

💌 Send this to someone who needs a nudge

Address

Birmingham, MI

Website

http://www.legacyballooning.com/

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