safety

Fly with confidence

From start to finish, you can be safe in knowing you are fully insured. Our vehicles and balloons are commercially insured for passenger-carrying operations.

Black Hills Balloons is one of the most established, safety-focused balloon companies in the United States. We have been making memories for 40+ years and hope to continue the tradition for 40 more!

Our Pilots

Our pilots are FAA licensed commercial balloon pilots and flight instructors. Pilots attend safety seminars annually, ensuring they are at the top of their game and involved in the ballooning community. All flights are at the discretion of the pilot, with special consideration to wind and weather.

Find out more about each of our pilots.

Damien Mahony Owner and Chief Pilot

Damien started his career in the commercial balloon business in 1999 and hasn’t looked back. As Crew Chief for Orlando Florida’s Blue Water Balloons, he gained experience on the ground before becoming a pilot himself. Over the years, he’s flown thousands of hours and entertained countless passengers; making a name for himself flying the largest hot air balloon in the US while acting as GM and Chief Pilot for Orlando Balloon Rides. Damien has flown balloons all over the country, however, nothing compares to flying the Black Hills. Damien hails from County Kildare, Ireland

Pat Schmidt Pilot

Originally from the picturesque Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, Pat brings a remarkable level of expertise to our team with over 3,000 hours of hot air ballooning experience. His extensive aviation background spans the entire United States, where he has piloted everything from unique special shape balloons to massive 425,000-cubic-foot passenger balloons. In addition to his impressive ballooning resume, Pat also holds a helicopter rating. Pat’s journey to the Black Hills began several years ago when Damien invited him to fly in the Custer area. He immediately fell in love with the region’s breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and welcoming local community.

Kay West Pilot

Kay began flying balloons in 1988 attaining both a private and commercial pilot license that year. Her introduction to ballooning started as crew and photographer. Over the years, she has accumulated over 2000 hours, trained many students – both private and commercial, and holds the distinction of Balloon Federation of America Master Flight Instructor. In addition to flying and training, Kay is the FAA Designated Examiner in the State of South Dakota, and has been since 1999.

Co-founder and promoter of The Stratobowl historic balloon event since 2010. The focus of the event is to bring awareness to the high altitude balloon flights in the 1930s that contributed to the exploration of space.

Ballooning has been a part of her family for over thirty years currently with ten pilots in her family with the odds of women versus men at fifty-fifty. She continues to support ballooning side-by-side with her husband Mark West, former President, Aerostar International, Inc, flying with Black Hills Balloons when needed throughout the year.

Don Edwards Pilot

With 3,100 flight hours and counting, Don’s experience flying 30 states, 7 countries, and 4 continents, will keep you safe and entertained with stories from his years of flying. A balloon event expert, he’s flown in over 200 events worldwide; recently retiring as Event Director for the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but enjoys flying the Black Hills in the Summer. Don enjoys spending time in Alaska, Georgia, and everywhere in between. Ask him about all the amazing special shape balloons he’s had the privilege of flying over the years.

Our Crew

Crew Crew Chief, Chris (with dog, Caulker), Hunter, Mark, Blaze, Elijah (former Crew Chief), and Dan

You’ll never meet A happier bunch at sunrise. A mixed group of outdoor-loving, laughing, reliable locals, friends, and family, that we couldn’t do without. Most of our crew have been around balloons for years – it’s in their blood. These jokesters will surprise you with their early morning energy, goofy antics, and passion for the sport. Don’t let them fool you, they’re a huge part of why flying with Black Hills Balloons will be something you’ll never forget.

If you’re local, fit, enjoy early mornings, and are looking to get into hot air ballooning, let us know! We can always use a new crew member or two, and love introducing the sport to new friends.

Chris Myers Crew Chief

Chris is our man on the ground! Always joking with the crew or taking photo’s for passengers, his management style keeps the team working together, running safely and efficiently. Recently diving in head-first, he’s currently a student pilot; scheduling flight lessons whenever possible, all while studying weather and the written knowledge needed to become a pilot. He’s also an apprentice to Keely and Damien, working on his certification with the FAA to become a Repairman under Black Hills Balloons in-house hot air balloon repair station, Prairie Sky. He’s super handy, meticulous, and always sprucing up the vans, or working on the trailers and fans to keep the us in the air. It’s a tough job, and we’re lucky to have him!

Charlie Delta Our Official Greeter

Our working dog has the life. Charlie Delta (from the Aviation Phonetic Alphabet: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta..), is a charcoal labrador. Born into the sport, she’s rarely impressed by the balloons; preferring a good game of launch field fetch instead. She greets Black Hills Balloons passengers each morning and spends her days hiking, overseeing the FAA repair station, and sleeping on the job.

In-House Repair Station – Prairie Sky

Originally founded by Mark and Kay West, our repair station has been in operation for over a decade, we’ve proudly maintained and repaired our own equipment as FAA Certified Repairmen. In fact, we’re trained and certified on balloons manufactured by Ultramagic, Lindstrand USA, Aerostar, Head, and Kubicek – so we know exactly what goes into every basket and burner. Having personally visited these manufacturers in Spain, Illinois, South Dakota, and Georgia, we can personally attest we have done our homework learning about and understanding each of these manufacturers’ specific requirements and guidelines when it comes to maintenance and repair.

We know our equipment inside and out, and we’re proud to be the go-to repair station for hot air balloon pilots across South Dakota and the surrounding states, regularly maintaining more than 35 balloons each year. This hands-on approach gives us complete confidence in our gear – and peace of mind for our passengers.

Our FAA Certified Repairmen

Keely Mahony
Owner

Keely Mahony is an FAA-certified repairman, trained in maintenance, repair, and reconstruction. The on-site repair station, Prairie Sky Repair, maintains Black Hills Balloons equipment as well as 25+ hot air balloons from the surrounding area.

Keely is (and will forever be) mentored by Mark and Kay West, legends in the balloon manufacturing, maintenance, and training industry.

Damien Mahony
Owner

Damien Mahony is an FAA-certified repairman, trained in maintenance, repair, and reconstruction. The on-site repair station, Prairie Sky Repair, maintains Black Hills Balloons equipment as well as 25+ hot air balloons from the surrounding area.

Damien is (and will forever be) mentored by Mark and Kay West, legends in the balloon manufacturing, maintenance, and training industry.

Mark West
Repair Station Founder

When it comes to maintaining Raven/Aerostar, Mark is as good as it gets. As the former president and senior engineer for Aerostar International, he literally designed our equipment and knows the complete history of parts, fabric, and performance. Currently consulting, traveling to speak at Hot Air Safety Seminars, and acting on the Balloon Federation of America board, he is a strong activist for the sport. His knowledge is priceless to Black Hills Balloons.

Kay West
Repair Station Founder

Kay first started flying balloons in the ’80s and quickly became one of the sport’s top female pilots. Currently, she’s one of 14 Designated Flight Examiners, actively traveling to examine new pilots and speak at Hot Air Safety Seminars. Her years of instructing new students, working hand and hand with the FAA, and advocating for the sport, has helped keep the sport of ballooning evolve and maintain its presence in the busy world of aviation. Her years of experience are a gift to the sport of ballooning and Black Hills Balloons.

safety is Our Highest Priority

At Black Hills Balloons, safety isn’t just part of what we do – it’s at the heart of everything we do.

Every flight we take is the result of careful planning, expert training, and a deep respect for the power of flight. From weather checks to equipment inspections, we never cut corners. Our pilots are FAA-certified and bring decades of experience to the sky, and our ground crew is trained to support every step of the journey with precision and care.

We care about safety because every flight carries something priceless: our passengers, our crew, and our reputation. Ballooning is a beautiful adventure, but it also demands deep respect for the elements and equipment. Prioritizing safety means we’re honoring the trust people place in us – whether they’re stepping into the basket for the first time or flying with us for the tenth. It’s how we protect the joy of flight and ensure that every landing is as smooth and memorable as the takeoff.

Annual safety seminar

Each year, we proudly host a Hot Air Balloon Safety Seminar right here in the Black Hills, bringing together pilots and crew from across the country. It’s a full day dedicated to continuing education, hands-on training, and open discussion – designed to keep our community sharp, informed, and always focused on safety. Interested in attending? Pilots and Crew can contact [email protected] for details.