Our International Commercial pilots are highly experienced
“Highly recommend this activity, and our pilot was fantastic too.” – Tripadvisor
Meet our Pilots
To pilot a balloon, it is necessary to gain a pilots license, exactly as with other forms of Aircraft. There are a set number of hours of instruction and the same theoretical exams to pass as any fixed wing pilot. Once qualified as a Commercial pilot, experience has to be gained on different size of balloons; our 16 passenger balloons require a minimum of 500 hours recorded flying experience as Pilot in Command.
“Every dawn is a different adventure…”
Captain Ismail Keremoglu
Chief Pilot / Head of Operations
Languages: English, Turkish, Bulgarian
İsmail is an instructor pilot and examiner and is generally considered to be one the most accomplished and experienced aeronauts there is.
A veteran aviator with experience in skydiving, gliding and aircrafts, his biggest passion is ballooning. With a big smile on his face, İsmail is dedicated to delivering a unique and mesmerizing ballooning experience in Maasai Mara to his guests.
Captain Carles Figureas
Head of Maintenance
Languages: English, Catalan, Spanish, a little French
Carles holds a Commercial Hot Air Balloon Pilot License for Europe (EASA), Morocco, and Kenya. He has been flying balloons for the past 22 years, accumulating over 2,500 hours of experience as both a commercial and sport balloon pilot. Carles is also a certified flight instructor and examiner in Spain, as well as a maintenance technician.
As a sport pilot, he is a Spanish national champion and has represented Spain in international competitions. He has participated in several balloon expeditions and adventures, including a crossing of Mount Kilimanjaro at 8,000 meters, flights over the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Jungle, the Perito Moreno Glacier, the North Pole, and the Alps—witnessing sunrise from 6,000 meters above sea level.
Captain Rodrigo Neves
Head of Safety / Head of Quality
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Catalan
Rodrigo has been flying hot air balloons since 1997. His career as a commercial pilot has taken him across the globe, with experience in countries such as Myanmar, France, Turkey, Kenya, and Spain. He is especially delighted to share the breath-taking beauty and magic of the Masai Mara with his guests. Rodrigo’s deep expertise and passion for the technical side of ballooning have driven him to develop innovative concepts for hot air balloon burners and envelopes, contributing to the advancement of the sport and industry.
Captain Andy Davey
Line Pilot
Languages: English, German & French
Andy has been passionate about flying for as long as he can remember. He began gliding at the age of 13, went solo at 16, and became an instructor by 18. In 1986, he joined Cameron Balloons—the manufacturer of our balloons—as a rigger and inspector. Naturally, earning his balloon pilot’s license was the next step. He obtained his private license in 1989, followed by a UK commercial license in 1993. Today, Andy holds licenses in the UK, Europe, Switzerland, Chile, Fiji, Kenya and Myanmar.
Captain Karrim Syed
Line Pilot
Languages: English, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu
Captain Karim is a highly experienced and world-renowned hot air balloon pilot and instructor. With over 19 years of extensive, hands-on experience, he holds Commercial Hot Air Balloon Licenses from five respected aviation authorities; the United Kingdom, the United States, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya, demonstrating his exceptional skill and global recognition in the field.
As the co-founder and partner of two pioneering aviation ventures, Balloon Flights LLC and Paramotor Desert Adventure Aviation Club in Dubai, Captain Karim has played a vital role in delivering safe, unforgettable ballooning experiences to thousands of clients across varied terrains. His in-depth knowledge of meteorology and aerostatics ensures every flight is planned and executed under ideal weather conditions, enhancing both safety and overall passenger satisfaction.
Captain Spencer Craze
Line Pilot
Languages: English
Spencer holds commercial balloon licenses for the United Kingdom and Kenya. He has been flying passenger ride balloons in the UK for the last 20 years and he also holds a UK license for single engine propeller light aircrafts. Ballooning is a family tradition and Spencers’ father was a ballooning pioneer in the UK, flying balloons as early as 1973.
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“A journey of emotion …..for many ….a dream of a lifetime”