Becoming a hot air balloon pilot.

Hello my name is Jonathon sannes I am 24 years old. I have been an inspiring balloonist since I was a kid. I can remember going to balloon events near me as a kid and wanting to fly one. The beautifully colored fabrics of each balloon made me smile as they rose into the sunset , even making an eclipse over the sun.. I could hear the passengers yelling, "hello down there" and I would yell hi back. Even the shape balloons made my jaw drop as these gentle Giants flew about.

In 2007, my family and I were in Orlando Florida on summer vacation this was tradition in my family. One Sunday morning we arose at 530 am and drove to a hotel in Orlando.. We're we met up with a pilot and. 25 other people eager to fly with us. We signed some paper work and then boarded into a van with letters on the side that read Orlando balloon rides. I remember thinking " I hope we ride in this balloon" thinking it's small balloon ..I was wrong. We stopped at a cvs to let off a piball (a small helium filled balloon) to see we're the flights path would be. 10 mins later we arrived at our launch location to find 2 other balloons waiting to launch. Our balloon was a 40 passenger balloon. It was huge. I got to stand in the center part of the basket and stand next To the pilot and run the burners. It was an amazing day.

In 2008 I found a website that built model hot air balloons i was supper exited I had To have one. So with some great luck I I was able to buy one. This model stood 18feet tall and 16 feet wide. And was 24 gores. I sold it in 2010, big mistake! I felt lonely I had to have another rc but I could not afford one. One day I found a builders guide to model balloons and I decided to buy this book. After reading it over several times I thought " I can build my own model" and so I did. I remember the day my fabric arrived at my house I was supper exited I started laying out the fabric and drawing all 28 gores. I cut them out and started to sew. It took me 4 weeks to compleat and I could not wait to fly. Only one problem, I did not have a basket. Well again I waited a few months and I was able to buy a new model basket for my balloon. Weeks flew by and she was ready for her maiden flight. The fabric used on this particular model was 1.9 oz ripstop silicone coated nylon. So adding heat to this balloon was a bit hard. After 5 mins she was flying. I was proud of what I have accomplished. Then one day me and an old friend was sitting around my apartment thinking of ideas to make money.. Thus jwesinc was born and had the idea to sell model balloons.. In 2013 I sold baby blue In hopes to build a new envelope. (This time I did not sell my basket.) All throughout fall and winter of 2013 into 2014 I was set to build a brand new 24 gore model rc balloon. She was completed January 16 2014 and had her maiden flight on March 3rd 2014 she was a beautiful balloon, green,blue,black,and yellow. I had gone through 6 different designs before ending with what I have. In August of 2014 I sold her (kept the basket and added a wicker basket the i built amazing... New design coming for that to.. ) to this day I have not the funds to build a New rc.

you see I have ADHD and ashburgers AUTISM a low side of AUTISM I do have my drivers license as well. That took a great deal but I accomplished it. Now I drive any were. But I was told I was never going to get a balloonist pilots license because of my disability. Every day I try to talk to pilots and I get told I'll never fly because I'm to stupid. Well I'm not stupid and yes I am on ssi... But that pays my rent and my bills so I can live in my apartment truth is I tried working several times and I can't hold a job. And yet every one tells me it's because of my disability. I want to prove every one wrong I want to get my pilots license to fly a balloon and that even tho I have a disability that it don't affect me of what I do or who I am. So please help me prove every one wrong. I am also hoping to fly events near me as well.

The amount I am requesting will help me pay for training, a balloon and all of its equipment, and fuel to fly and gas for my van to get back and fourth to my training. Thank you for your time and thank you for reading this hope you have a wonderful day.