Our Staff 

This page will provide a brief introduction of Scott & Laurie Spencer with media information below …

As is the case with most companies, our strength lies in the experience of our key people. We believe that we have the best pilots and support crew in the balloon business, anywhere in the world.  

Our company is big enough to provide the prompt services required by the diversity of our client base with a quick response anywhere in the world, yet small enough to provide ongoing personal service to our customers in the planning and execution of their promotional activities.  

We take a great deal of pride in being innovative and forward thinking in our approach to finding new ways to promote the products and services of our clients.  


Scott Spencer – President, Director Flight Operations

As President and Director of Flight Operations, Scott's approach to the business is with a unique eye for the potential that ballooning can bring to a corporate client.  

Scott has an award winning approach to the promotional and media opportunities that balloons provide his corporate clients and is always working on something new. Scott's leadership of the Lighter Than Air America family has grown the company into the nations largest provider of corporate ballooning and promotional activity. 


Laurie Spencer – Vice President, Pilot

The undisputed 'better half' of Lighter Than Air America specializes in the physical logistics of the company's operations and special events. Laurie also maintains responsibility for all the specialty clothing the company produces for its flight teams, events and consumer retail programs.  

With nearly 1,000 hours of flight in hot air balloons, Laurie has earned a reputation as one of the nations leading female corporate balloon pilots and remains the only female pilot assigned full time duty on the Coke, Kellogg and Disney balloon programs.  

In the area below you will find detailed background information including various images of Scott & Laurie Spencer. 

To save an image, simply "right click" and save to the file on your computer that best fits your need. 


Media Information

This area will provide you with information and images on Scott & Laurie Spencer.

To save an image, simply right click and “save to” the location you prefer.



 
Scott L. Spencer – Media Bio

Scott Spencer took his first balloon ride in 1973 and has owned over 50 different sport and commercial hot air balloons during his long career.

Spencer is recognized as being highly responsible for the advent of ballooning as a sport in the Pacific Northwest.

Scott has always been dedicated to the basic promotion of the sport to the general public as a family oriented, fun filled activity.

  • In 1976, Scott co-founded the Northwest Ballooning Association and is a four  time office holder in that organization. Spencer remains the only NBA pilot to win back to back “Champion Aeronaut” awards in 1978 and 1979.
  • In his thirty-eight (38) year career as a balloon pilot, Scott has logged over 6,000  hours of flight, and says : “That’s an awfully long time to be standing in one  place going nowhere in particular”.
  • Scott’s aviation background includes airplanes, jets, sailplanes and helicopters.  He spent eight years as Vice President of marketing for Jet Helicopters, Inc. allowing Scott a unique opportunity and insight into the world of corporate aviation. The foundation of his ballooning companies are modeled from that experience.
  • As President of Lighter Than Air America, Incorporated, the only ballooning  operation in the United States that dedicates its entire operations to corporate flight operations, Spencer continues to break new ground with innovative ways to “expose” his clients logos to the world.
  • Currently, Spencer's companies own, operate and maintain balloons for some of the highest profile companies in North America including Coca-Cola, Kellogg's and the Walt Disney Company. Regional client Wildhorse Resort & Casino is a Spencer favorite. 
In 2005, the company added the Disneyland Resort to their client list when Scott and wife Laurie were honored by Disney to serve as pilot's for Disney's 'Happiest Balloon On Earth' tour, a celebration of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary.
  • Scott is best known in professional ballooning circles for his “on site” work with  the general public during flight operations and promotional events for his clients and the general public.
Spencer’s ability to promote product and service is award winning and certainly justifies his reputation as Ballooning’s “Aerial Ambassador”.  Scott loves to involve the public in his balloon flights and can usually be found telling children and their parents all about the sport of ballooning before and after most flights.
  • Scott is a multiple award winning balloon event producer, providing balloonists and the general public with some of the finest ballooning events ever produced.
Spencer has produced nearly fifty signature balloon events during his career.  The most notable being the “Coca-Cola Countdown to 2,000” which was viewed on  live television internationally and in the United States by 175 million households.
  • Scott created and founded the Le Societe De Alzheimer ballooning organization in 1987 and the Northwest Aviators Association, an FAA approved drug  abatement program in 1990.
  • Scott visits as many as fifty schools each year, sharing ballooning and various timely messages with the school's students after each flight demonstration.
  • In August of 1989, Scott flew as passengers, the first Soviet citizens (known) to  fly in a sport balloon.
  • On November 16, 1989, Scott made the first in-door, non tethered balloon flight in Seattle’s King Dome.
  • On April 10, 2006, Scott made the first known inflation and launch from the floor of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
Known to his friends as 'Scotty' or 'Admiral', the father of two adult daughters can be found in the constant company of his best friend and wife, Laurie. (Laurie is an incredible balloon pilot as well) 

Scott is easy to spot on the launch field by his trade mark sunglasses and often, a very large crowd. 

Scott is an avid photographer. Scott and Laurie own a Cabin Cruiser that they spend their free time on. In the winter it is docked at Lake Mead Nevada and moved to Idaho in the summer months. Scott looks forward to time at home with Laurie, his daughters and their husbands and grand daughter Alexandra. 

Scott says he has had four inspired moments in his ballooning career. 

The first came in 1995 when he was named 'Pilot of the Year' by members of the Northwest Ballooning Association, an honor that was repeated in 2000 making him the only two time winner of that award. 

The third was a flight operation conducted in Disney's 'Happiest Balloon on Earth' from the floor of the Grand Canyon and the fourth, hands down the most enjoyable flight ever conducted was on July 17, 2006 at Disneyland as part of that 'Parks' 50th Birthday. 

February 2007 will mark Scott’s 38th year of ballooning.


 
Laurie Spencer – Media Bio

Laurie has been flying hot air balloons for almost two decades and is regarded as one of the foremost female corporate balloon pilots in the United States.

Laurie is the first female pilot to fly a Disney or Coca-Cola hot air balloon. 

Flying some of the most prominent corporate logo's in the world Laurie has left a smile where ever she visits. Laurie is comfortable in all the balloons the company flies for its clients and does regular pilot duty in all of them. 

Laurie also serves as Vice President of the family ballooning business, Lighter Than Air America, where she assumes responsibility for the smooth running of the office and staff. 

In addition to flying for Kellogg, Coca-Cola and Disney her duties include operations as the primary pilot for the Wildhorse Resort & Casino balloon. Laurie also operates the companies helium airships. 

Laurie co-hosts and produces the companies Special Events with her husband, Scott. She enjoys focusing her attention on the logistical aspects of hosting the guest pilots during these events.

With husband Scott, Laurie visits as many as fifty schools each year teaching students the importance of getting a good education. That's over 50,000 students a year that get to enjoy a personal visit by Laurie and her Lighter Than Air America balloons !

Laurie is a confident interview when doing television, radio, and newspaper interviews.
 

 



School Visits
Copyright 2009 Lighter Than Air America, Inc.