About Us

Our mission is simple

To introduce as many people as possible to lighter than air flight and to provide the best possible ballooning experience to our customers.

Additionally, we will provide the best customer service possible at a fair and reasonable price and will never compromise safety.

We want our customers to be our single best source of advertising and for them to remember their experience for years to come.

World Balloon Pilot Information

Our experience and professionalism equals your safety. Meet our pilots:

Keith Fear

Keith is the owner of World Balloon and its parent company.  He is a 22 year veteran commercial balloon pilot that has flown thousands and thousands of passengers over the years.  His true passion is introducing people to the art and science of ballooning. Keith began flying in 1989 after he finished his 4 year tour in the United States Marine Corps.  Shortly after receiving his Commercial Pilots license, he began flying ride balloons under the instruction of several very seasoned ride pilots.  He also flew competitively a little, and attended rally’s and races all across the Midwest.  He quickly learned that while competition was fun, he truly enjoyed flying passenger rides far more and that he felt he had far more to offer to the sport through providing balloon rides than he ever would on the competitive ballooning side. 

Keith started a small balloon ride operation in St. Louis called Balloons Over The Rainbow.  He applied his extensive business and technical knowledge to creating what became arguably the best balloon ride business in St. Louis. Keith then acquired World Balloon from its previous owners in order to keep World in Albuquerque and in operation to continue the now 38 year tradition. As the oldest continuous balloon ride operation in the southwest, and with its founder involved in creating the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, World Balloon is really a cornerstone of modern hot air ballooning. Keith has substantially grown World Balloon over the several years he has owned the company, and looks to expand further in the near future.

Dean Donley

In 1989 Dean got stationed in Albuquerque, NM while in the United States Air Force. He attended his 1st Balloon Fiesta volunteered to crew. They assigned him to the Burger King Whopper Balloon. “That was one big heavy balloon!!” said Dean. Shortly after Fiesta he met a local pilot and started crewing for him. The Air Force ended up moving Dean overseas for 4 years but once again he was fortunate enough to end up back in Albuquerque. In 1996 he started crewing for a local balloon company, he did that for a few years decided it was a lot more fun being up in the air in a balloon than just chasing them. Dean got his pilots license by 2000 he was flying commercial rides. After 20 years in the USAF Dean retired now his full time job is flying balloons. Dean says, "I don't really consider it a job since I still love doing it and I get to meet new people every day. My office may be small but I have GREAT views!" Dean has over 1200 balloon flight hours.

Randy Rogers

In 1979 Randy started ballooning by crewing for the Coca-Cola balloon. At that time the owner of the Coca-Cola Co. taught Randy how to fly. The next year, in 1980 Randy earned his private and commercial rating as a balloon Pilot. By flying and working with the Coca-Cola Co. this taught Randy how to be part of a corporate balloon organization. In 1984 Sid Cutter asked him to fly for World Balloon as a ride pilot. While working with World Balloon, Randy trained pilots to fly as part of a FAA 141 Training School. He later got involved flying special shapes like the Cow and Dinosaur. Randy has over 2500 balloon flight hours. He says that he loves to fly, and enjoys meeting new people in a positive environment.