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It was business as usual for Rainbow Ryders at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
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When balloons took off from the field, the iconic Rainbow Ryders balloons were among them.
It was business as usual for the Albuquerque-based hot air balloon company.
Troy Bradley, the chief pilot for Rainbow Ryders, said Wednesday afternoon that the hot air balloon company — which is the only company that offers flights from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Fiesta — didn't miss a beat this year.
The company's founder and president Scott Appelman died in August in Phoenix of a heart attack at age 66.
Bradley said Appelman's wife, Heather Hopkins Appelman, has taken over president and CEO responsibilities.
"Scott really got this business to where it could be run without him. He was planning to retire, to take a step back, to do other things with his life," Bradley said. "Unfortunately, his life was cut short."
Appelman in 1983 founded Rainbow Ryders out of his garage with a two-passenger hot air balloon.
The company eventually expanded across Albuquerque, Phoenix, Colorado Springs and Park City, Utah. The company has dozens of balloons across those markets, more than 100 employees and flies roughly 45,000 people per year, according to its website.
Bradely said in Albuquerque, the company has about 30 full-time employees and contract pilots. Balloon flights average about 12 passengers per flight.
Bradley said the company's employees stepped up to carry on Appelman's legacy.
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The Fiesta's first Sunday was termed "Memorial Sunday" in Appelman's honor. There was also a celebration of life for Appelman's family and friends on Oct. 7 at Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavillon at Balloon Fiesta Park.
In an interview with the Journal last year, Appelman said he’s “always loved aviation.”
“I used to be that nerdy little guy that would hang out at the end of the runway and watch planes take off,” he said. “The idea of flying and just having no steering wheel and just kind of navigating what Mother Nature gives you, it’s a lot of fun, and every flight’s different.”
