For sale: The world’s largest flying pig

After nearly 40 years of hot air ballooning, pilot Doug Gantt says it's time to retire. Gantt is selling his signature balloon, a 115-foot-tall flying pig named Ham-Let, after its final appearance under his ownership at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this week.

"It's a lot of ham to heat up and fly away," Gantt said.

Gantt said he caught the ballooning bug after his first flight — an anniversary ride with his wife — in DeLand, Florida.

"I hadn't been up more than 30 seconds and I said, 'God, I've gotta have one of these,'" he said. "So I bought a balloon and got a divorce, and the rest is history."

Gantt likens the feeling of flying in a hot air balloon to being a cloud.

"It's the most serene feeling in the world," he said.

Throughout his career, Gantt has piloted hot air balloons in 40 states, Canada twice and Taiwan four times. He is a commercial pilot, flight instructor and a member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association balloonist club.

For a balloonist, visiting Albuquerque to fly in the Balloon Fiesta is like making a pilgrimage to Mecca, he said. Nearly 25 years ago, he made the three-day drive from his home in Florida to New Mexico for his first fiesta, and decided to move here.

"I made that drive and swore I would never miss another one," he said.

Several potential buyers have come to take a look at Ham-Let, though Gantt said he hasn't yet found the right one. He's asking $42,500 for the flying pig and all of its gear, including basket, burners and trailer.

"It's kind of like trying to sell a car," he said. "It's got to appeal to a certain person, so it hasn't quite happened yet."

Ham-Let was born in 2001 after Gantt asked his son, then 15, to pick a design for his new balloon. They were inspired by Gantt's father, whose favorite phrase was, "when pigs fly."

"I grew up hearing 'when pigs fly' all my life,” Gantt said. "'Dad, I need a new bicycle.' 'Yeah, sure, kid. When pigs fly.'"

Gantt said he feels a little sentimental about letting go of Ham-Let, though he'll remain involved in ballooning, either through teaching or volunteering. But at 75, this year's Balloon Fiesta will be his last.

"It's just time to take the car keys away from grandma," Gantt said.