Two generations of OK pilots represented at Balloon Fest

  • "MilkyWay," owned by Bill and Tiffany Kinser of Guthrie, is lit up during the balloon glow on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. According to www.planoballoonfest.org, hot-air balloons use liquid propane gas in their burner systems, which shoot out a six- to eight-foot flame and produce up to 12 million BTUs per hour. The website also mentioned that the "envelope" (balloon) is made from rip-stop, flame-resistant nylon. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    "MilkyWay," owned by Bill and Tiffany Kinser of Guthrie, is lit up during the balloon glow on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. According to www.planoballoonfest.org, hot-air balloons use liquid propane gas in their burner systems, which shoot out a six- to eight-foot flame and produce up to 12 million BTUs per hour. The website also mentioned that the "envelope" (balloon) is made from rip-stop, flame-resistant nylon. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • Tiffany and Bill Kinser, of Guthrie, and their balloon team made up of family members and employees from Sovereign Bank and KGFF, pause for a photo. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Tiffany and Bill Kinser, of Guthrie, and their balloon team made up of family members and employees from Sovereign Bank and KGFF, pause for a photo. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • Will Kinser, of Edmond, holds his one-year-old son, Will "Leon" Kinser III, while lighting up his "WayBack" balloon during the balloon glow of the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. W. Kinser is a third-generation balloon pilot. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Will Kinser, of Edmond, holds his one-year-old son, Will "Leon" Kinser III, while lighting up his "WayBack" balloon during the balloon glow of the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. W. Kinser is a third-generation balloon pilot. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • MilkyWay, owned by Bill and Tiffany Kinser, of Guthrie, was among those glowing at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. The Kinsers have three generations of family members who are balloon pilots. Photo by Brody Dunagan
    MilkyWay, owned by Bill and Tiffany Kinser, of Guthrie, was among those glowing at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. The Kinsers have three generations of family members who are balloon pilots. Photo by Brody Dunagan
  • "WayBack," owned by Will Kinser, was two balloons away from W. Kinser's parent's balloon, "MilkyWay." Photo by Brody Dunagan
    "WayBack," owned by Will Kinser, was two balloons away from W. Kinser's parent's balloon, "MilkyWay." Photo by Brody Dunagan

    For two hot-air balloon pilots and their families at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival in Shawnee, the call of flight is a family tradition. Bill and Tiffany Kinser, of Guthrie, and their son and daughter-in-law, Will and Elena Kinser, of Edmond, are two out of three generations to take up the sport.

    W. Kinser said his grandfather, Pat Kinser, became a balloon pilot in his 20s, and his fathe…