TEAM
Meet the NVAloft Balloon Rides Staff
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY
PIERRE “PETE” BRUNNER – CHIEF PILOT
Pierre started in the industry in 1983 as ground crew while attending class at San Diego State University. He earned his commercial pilot’s license in 1988 and began flying in San Diego while building a career in the Insurance industry. He has since flown 5300 hours and over 40,000 passengers. He has participated in the Albuquerque International Balloon event as one of the select ride concession pilots for 20 years, he has competed in the Great Reno Balloon Race, the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race, as well as many local events. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pierre Joined Napa Valley Aloft in June 2014 to return home. Pierre loves flying and enjoys sharing his time in the air and his passion for the sport with his passengers.
JP GAGNON – PILOT
J.P. has been flying in Napa Valley since 1999, when he moved to Napa Valley to support his wife’s dream of running a Bed and Breakfast. He started his ballooning career in Napa Valley and trained with some of the most experienced pilots available. J.P. wears many hats here at the company, offering assistance in all areas of the business. In his off hours, J.P. can be found fishing anywhere he can. His smoked salmon is out of site!
JIM MARSHALL – PILOT
A long time Napa resident, Jim is one of the most experienced pilots in Napa Valley, with over 30 years of piloting. Not only a master balloon pilot, Jim also has years of experience in hot air balloon maintenance and repair. Jim has been flying passengers in hot air balloons for 36 years, his first company, founded in 1978, pioneered wine country balloon flights in Sonoma County. In 1979, Jim recognized the need for a balloon repair station in order to comply with FAA requirements for operating a commercial balloon ride business. He sought training and became certified in the repair and inspection of hot air balloons. With that, Jim and a partner opened one of the first FAA-certified balloon repair stations in the world. This experience in and out of the air has led to opportunities to fly and service balloons in France, Egypt, the Czech Republic, and all over the USA, including Napa Valley, where Jim enjoys the supportive and family atmosphere of Napa Valley Aloft.