Greg Miller- Commercial Pilot

In the fall of 1990, Greg and his brother, both of whom are free lance photographers attended a balloon rally in Salem Oregon, to get some balloon pictures for their stock portfolio. From that point it is all wonderful history. Assigned to crew for Art Circo, from Arlington Wash. as part of the Media day flight, they experienced their first flight in a Hot Air Balloon. After the flight they had their pictures developed and returned to the field later in the day for the evening festivities, and ending up selling several pictures to the pilots. The Circo’s invited them back again for the rest of the weekend to crew for them, and instantly the love of the Ballooning sport was developed and became a family affair.

Greg and his two sons Cory and Matthew crewed for several years all over the Pacific North West for the Circo’s. In 1995 Greg purchased the balloon that he and his sons had been crewing for from the Circo’s, and started their own adventures.

In August of 1996, Greg earned his private license during the event held each year in Albany Oregon. A little less than a year later, Greg earned his Commercial license.

In 1998 Greg was instrumental in forming a new Hot Air Balloon Club in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, called Willamette Aerostat Society, and served as the first President of the club.

In 1999, Greg was honored by his fellow Aeronaut's, by being voted as Willamette Aerostat Society, Aeronaut of the year for all the work he put in forming the new balloon club. The Willamette Aerostat Society Hot Air Balloon club continues to flourish and grow, having added many new members over the years.

In 2000, Greg was honored to be asked to be one of the 60 balloons that participated in the Millennium count down held in Boise Idaho, to ring in the new Millennium.

In 2001, Greg’s work as a Union Electrician brought him to Boise Idaho to work. The area around Boise is beautiful, and very balloon friendly, with some where around 35-40 balloons based in the Boise Area. After 35 years of living in a small town west of Salem Oregon, Greg and his wife Janet, relocated to Meridian Idaho, just a few short miles from Boise, which allows Greg to fly in the Boise area on a regular basis, when he is not involved in the many balloon rallies around the Pacific Northwest.

Greg has served on the elected boards of 3 balloon clubs in the Northwest in many capacities, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Land Owner Relations, FAA Liaison, and Competition Chairman to name a few.

Greg enjoys flying their balloons, Called I’LL FLY AWAY and I'LL FLY AWAY TWO, at every opportunity possible, and looks forward to each season to see old friends and make new ones along the way. If you see him at a rally come say hello, you’ll be glad you did. You can find Greg on the field by looking for the white Suburban with a trailer with I'LL FLY AWAY Logo on the side.