PILOTS AND CREW
Founder / Owner / Principal Pilot
Todd J. Monahan
That’s me! My infectious enthusiasm for the sport of ballooning took shape as a youngster, chasing down balloons on my bike during the early years of the Adirondack Balloon Festival. A few years after graduating from SUNY Oswego, I decided to pursue my ballooning dreams and began SunKiss Ballooning. My principal training took place in Albuquerque, NM, site of the world’s largest balloon festival. My team understands the importance of ongoing training and professional development. I’m also in constant contact with pilots around the world about the latest in balloon technology, safety concerns, and more. I’ve worked with professional pilots in teaching safety seminars approved by the FAA. I’m eager to share my love of ballooning by providing a safe, exciting, captivating, and memorable ballooning experience for you!
- Founded SunKiss Ballooning in 2007
- Flown over 3000 Flights
- Enthusiastic pilot
- Accident Free Company
- Flown all over the world ( Multiple states in the US, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
Pilot
Scott Griswold
Scott has been around hot air ballooning since day 1. Born and raised into a family that has been ballooning since 1978, Scott has seen and experienced many aspects of the sport. Scott started learning to fly balloons at the age of 14 and received his Commercial rating in 2009. Scott has flown 1000’s of passengers in the last decade and hopes to keep giving passengers the best hot air balloon ride experience possible.
Scott greatly values his legacy in the hot air balloon industry all thanks to his father Jim Griswold, and hopes to pass on the tradition to his son Owen.
One of Scott’s favorite places to fly is right here at our base of operations in the Glens Falls/Lake George region.
Pilot
Jean-Francois Ferland
JF is from St. Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Canada. He travels to our local area in NY with his family and will typically come into our area to fly hot air balloons. JF has a rare passion for flying hot air balloons and only flies for SunKiss Ballooning and Monahan Airways as he is family to all of our family now.
Pilot
Adam Carusone
Adam Carusone is a commercial hot air balloon pilot and flight instructor Who is introduced to blooning at the age of 9. His parents pioneered the 1st commercial hot air balloon ride business in the State of New York; Adirondack Balloon flights. Adam is fulfilling a childhood dream of piloting and sharing the sport with others, Adam is a proud member of the SunKiss Ballooning Team.
Pilot
Mike Kibling
Mike has grown up in the area watching and loving Hot Air Balloons. Mike shows up with an enthusiastic attitude every flight sharing his gratitude in providing an amazing unique experience for the passengers. Mike will greet you with a smile and most likely a ballooning story.
CREW CHIEFS
Crew Chief
Scott Monahan
Scott is my twin brother! He used to chase balloons with me as a kid. He’s responsible for critical tasks during inflation, in addition to leading the chase crew, monitoring surface winds, and checking out landing sites ahead of the balloon. A key to safe and enjoyable ballooning is a good crew chief…we’ve got one of the best! Scott is a great help to have around, and has many years of experience at the Adirondack Balloon Festival.
Crew Chief
Dave White
Dave White– Crew Chief Dave is a past passenger turned balloon enthusiast. Dave’s wife purchased a balloon ride for him as a gift. After his flight we invited him out to crew for future flights and have been able to share our love for ballooning with Dave and his family ever since! You will see Dave on most flights entertaining our passengers and playing practical jokes. Dave and his wife have traveled all over with us to festivals, including World’s Largest Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM, International Festival of Balloons in St Jean sur Richelieu , QC, and Balloon Fiesta in Sussex, NB.
Crew Chief Reservationist
jen white
Jen started crewing with her father “Dave White” in 2012 when she arrived home one long night of driving from college just in time to walk back out the door to the “SunKiss Balloon Festival” where her crew life started. She likes to attend festivals and crew for all balloons.
Honorable Mention
JESSIE “The Kid”, Carlos Ross, Nikolas Conlon, Starling Ross, Jeremiah Gifford, Jeff Sherlock, Mike Locke, Pam White, Randy Ryan, Derek Kibling