Balloon pilot stays grounded to guide Eyes festival

Val Vlazny is a committed hot air balloon enthusiast.

A licensed balloon pilot with his own balloon, the Western Springs resident is a frequent visitor to balloon events all over the United States. But one event in particular draws him back again and again.

"I've volunteered since 1992 at Lisle's Eyes to the Skies," he said.

This year, Vlazny said, he'll be on the balloon field with Scott McClinton, the "balloon-meister" hired to supervise the event.

McClinton hails from Louisville, Kentucky, and travels to ballooning events to evaluate weather conditions and ensure safety, Vlazny said.

While weather is a paramount concern, Vlazny said thermal activity is also a factor in determining when a balloon can safely launch. Shifts in temperature can produce erratic winds. Conditions are usually at their most stable in the early morning and early evening, he said. That's why balloon launches are scheduled for these times.

Balloon pilots, like airplane pilots, must hold a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly balloons, Vlazny said.

Though he also flies gliders and small planes, Vlazny says he likes balloons because they allow for a direct, exhilarating experience with flight.

At this year's festival, he said, he may find time to launch his own balloon and take in the West suburban panorama.

But he said he's more likely to stay earthbound.

"My biggest job is that I have to help volunteers," he said, referring to ground crew helping with launches, tethered rides and the evening balloon glows that rival the festival's nightly fireworks shows for spectacle.