Legacy Ballooning is the only female-owned and operated hot air balloon ride business in Michigan. With more than 25 years of experience as an FAA-licensed hot air balloon pilot, Dawn's expertise is matched only by her enthusiasm for sharing the joy of ballooning with others. As a second-generation commercial pilot, she grew up immersed in the sport, the sole female among seven family balloonists, and was raised within Michigan's vibrant ballooning community.
Dawn's journey began by crewing for her dad, a pioneer in Michigan's hot air ballooning scene, at competitions, festivals, and passenger rides through FlyBalloons.net, a cherished local company he operated for more than 45 years. Recently, she competed in her second U.S. Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championship, an event that gathers the top 15 female pilots in the country, showcasing her skill in the sport.
Dawn carries on her family's legacy by offering unparalleled ballooning experiences and creating memorable passenger adventures. She has also passed on her passion for ballooning to her twin sons, who you might see crewing at a future ride.
Owner & Chief Pilot, Dawn McKenzie
Safety
While a hot air balloon ride is an exhilarating and joyful experience, safety is our number one priority
Weather Contingencies: Hot air ballooning is a weather-dependent adventure, and ideal conditions are required for a safe flight: wind speeds under 8-10 mph without gusts and visibility of at least 5 miles. We can’t fly in rain, fog, snow or if there is a threat of rain or thunderstorms in the area. The safety of our guests, pilot and crew is paramount and as an outdoor activity, our decision to proceed with or postpone a flight is contingent upon weather conditions. If your flight is canceled due to weather, we will work with you to reschedule at no additional charge until we can safely take you up.
Flight Timing: Hot air balloons only fly in the early mornings and a few hours before sunset. Balloons do not fly in the afternoon because of higher winds and thermals which make it unsafe. For morning flights, we meet at sunrise, and for evening flights, we meet about 2.5 hours before sunset.
FAA-Licensed Pilots: All of our pilots are licensed by the the Federal Aviation Administration, requiring them to have flown without incident, pass an annual medical exam, and are familiar with local topography and conditions.
Balloon Maintenance: Our balloons are inspected annually per F.A.A. guidelines by licensed professionals. Our crew takes careful inventory and examination of all equipment prior to set-up and after tear-down.
Continuing Education: We attend safety seminars to stay up-to-date on the latest procedures, best practices and key learnings and frequently participate in regional and national hot air balloon competitions to hone our skill sets.