Kansas City Aerosports Chris Sabia (913) 649-2FLY (2359) www.kcballoon.com
Flying High
The year his family moved to Kansas City, 13-year-old Chris Sabia and his parents went up in a hot air balloon to celebrate his father’s birthday. It was the ride of his life.
“I had always been enthralled with aviation as far back as I remember,” Sabia said. “Flight gave me opportunity to do something different than anybody else was doing.”
He started working on a balloon crew and has been ballooning ever since. He earned his private hot air balloon license in 1995 and his commercial license in 1997. During that time he also obtained his fixed wing pilot’s license, as well as his instrument rating.
Fulfilling a Passion Wanting to be involved in ballooning full time, Sabia started doing contract work flying commercial hot air balloons for companies such as Coca-Cola and RE/MAX. It was during this time he met his wife, Amanda. She worked for RE/MAX and took an extra spot in the basket one evening.
“Once Amanda and I met, the company took off,” Sabia said. “She was a driving force behind getting the business going.”
Sabia said it seemed like the company exploded overnight. They were able to take a small company that dabbled in ballooning into a full-time business that runs seven days a week almost every day of the year, weather permitting. Full Service Ballooning Kansas City Aerosports provides several services. The company’s bread and butter is commercial flying. Kansas City Aerosports flies for Wonder Bread, as well as for Wal-mart Neighborhood Markets.
“What we do takes a lot of time and a high level of confidence,” Sabia said. “It also takes know-how, not only to be able to fly the balloon and have a good crew, but also to be able to get in front of the media and get news coverage for the client.”
Balloon rides for the general public also are available. Sabia’s first priority is safety, which is why he won’t push the weather envelope. He wants passengers to be safe and wants them to enjoy themselves, which often means giving them the longest flight possible.
Wind speed is key. Ten-mile-an-hour winds will push the balloon out of the flight area more quickly, forcing Sabia to find a landing spot before the hour is up. More favorable winds at 3-4 miles per hour will allow them to float the full hour, and possibly a few bonus minutes.
Sabia also offers in-depth ground school, flight training and crew training. He holds his students to a high standard of flight training. He runs them through all kinds of weather situations and emergency procedures, as well as landing and takeoff scenarios.
Although not limited to local companies, Sabia likes to do business with those based in Kansas City because he can create a more personal relationship.
“People tend to be in awe of the gentle giants,” Sabia. “They are great ambassadors, too, which is why companies like to use them to advertise.”
