. . . to Commune With the Wind.

First Hot-Air Balloon crossing of the Mission Mountain range    Nov. 1982 The Mountain Butterfly's First crossing of the Mission Mountains in Western Montana, launched from St. Ignatius in the Flathead Valley, heading due east, to land in the Swan Valley. 21 miles.The Mountain Butterfly's First crossing of the Mission Mountains in Western Montana, launched from St. Ignatius in the Flathead Valley, heading due east, to land in the Swan Valley. 21 miles.

MOUNTAIN BUTTERFLY (the hot-air balloon, and the operation) started in Missoula, Montana in 1982. We are now located in Stevensville, MT.

        Pertinent hot-air balloon flight experience:        

                                                 Western Montana -- The region that includes; Sula, Whitefish, Big Fork,                    Your eager, skilled, and highly intelligent pilot; far left. circa. 1959. Glenwood School for Boys Glenwood, ILYour eager, skilled, and highly intelligent pilot; far left. circa. 1959. Glenwood School for Boys Glenwood, IL       July 10, 2010. South of Sula, Montana, Camp Creek drainage: final approach; tucking the LadyBug between the bales. Conclusion of flight over the south Bitterroot range. 22miles. (shy pilot)                                                                 Helmville and Philipsburg

                                  Billings and Bozeman

  Wyoming ------------- Casper, Jackson Hole, Riverton and Sheridan

  California ------------- From Lake Tahoe (Squaw Valley)to: Truckee, Reno, Carson                                   City, Minden, Sierraville, Beckwourth, Chilcoot

                                  Napa Valley, and north 'Central Valley'

                                               Michigan ------------- South-east Michigan and  North-west Ann Arbor region

                                               North Dakota ------- Grand Forks

   Maximum hot-air balloon altitude attained during a passenger flight:16,350ft. 10/82 (Missoula to Ovando)

   Maximum hot-air balloon velocity during a passenger flight: 83kts   01/92    (Lolo Pass to Stevensville Airport)             

   Our pilots are FAA certified and licensed for commercial hot-air balloons, subject to all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.  Hot-air Balloons are

   Registered Federal Aircraft. inspected annually by a certified representative of the FAA. 

the 'Mountain Butterfly' over the Blackfoot River...where a 'River Runs Through It.''Mountain Butterfly' hot-air balloon executing a 'touch and go' on the Blackfoot River in Western Montana at mile-marker 27 along route 200, Greenough, MT photo credit: Lee Marcum'Mountain Butterfly' hot-air balloon executing a 'touch and go' on the Blackfoot River in Western Montana at mile-marker 27 along route 200, Greenough, MT photo credit: Lee Marcum