Pilots come from all over the state for the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest

HOWELL — Pilot Phil Clinger says everyone should take a flight in a hot air balloon at least once in their life, but with one cautionary note: "you might get hooked."

In 1994, Clinger took a hot air balloon ride and he was hooked. By 1997, he had learned how to pilot a balloon with the help of Donna Fox, this year's safety director at the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell.

Fox said Clinger was the only student she had who really wanted to learn everything. 

Clinger, of Battle Creek, first participated in the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in 1998, and has been taking part ever since. 

There is a carnival, an arts festival and other activities and events starting Friday afternoon and running through Sunday.

Balloonfest is taking place this weekend at Howell High School, at 1200 W. Grand River Ave. The Friday balloon launch is 6 to 8 p.m., with fireworks following. On Saturday, there is a balloon competition 6 to 8 a.m. at Howell High School.

Flying business

Clinger recently retired from his career as an engineer to enjoy flying full time. He now runs Altitude Endeavors in Battle Creek, a company that books hot air balloon rides, offers flight instruction and corporate advertising.

His firm owns five balloons, the smallest of which is 60,000 cubic feet and the largest is 120,000. Each balloon costs about $50,000 and they last about 10 years.

READ MORE: Michigan Challenge Balloonfest returns with more than 30 participants

Flying as a sport

In a balloon competition, there's a target on the ground, and competitors throw small weighted flags out of their balloons. Whichever pilot drops their flag closest to the center of the target wins.

Clinger said the prize money is never significant. Winning competitions is more about bragging rights and having fun.

In the balloon basket, where the pilot and passengers stand, Clinger has a tablet on which he uses an app called Glympse to track his speed and location.

On the ground, his crew watches the app to figure out where to meet him when he lands. 

Clinger flew his balloon early Friday morning as the crew stood outside of their large, black van, called "the chase vehicle," ready to meet him wherever he needed. 

All was quiet for about an hour and a half until he "popped the top," or started descending, then the crew quickly hopped in the van and drove to follow Clinger's landing near Howell High School's parking lot.

Sophia Lada is a reporter for the Livingston Daily. Contact her at slada@gannett.com or 517.377.1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.