Gas Balloon Community Page hosted by Fly Gas, International Gas Balloon Team: Cheri Edwards White and Mark Sullivan. Competing in world's most coveted gas ballooning events, the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett and America's Challenge representing United States. Sullivan is from Albuquerque, New Mexico & started flying balloons in 1982. White is from Austin Texas & started flying in 1972. Sulliva
n & White are very active in national and international balloon competition. In 2002, Sullivan’s co-pilot Sid Cutter retired so he recruited White who became his co-pilot for gas balloon races. He taught her to fly gas, dropping her in the hot seat. Her second flight was the 2002 America’s Challenge where they flew from Albuquerque to Homer, Georgia. They finished third in the race, flying for three days and nights setting a duration record for 67.25 hours. Since then, they have competed in many America’s Challenge races and four prestigious Coupe de Gordon Bennett races in Europe. Sullivan is the current USA delegate to the FAI Ballooning Commission and on the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Over their long careers, both have won numerous awards including the Montgolfier Diploma, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s highest award given in the sport of ballooning. Both Sullivan & White have families very active in Ballooning. Each of their sons and White’s niece have student pilot licenses. White’s father Sam Edwards is one of the oldest active balloonists still flying in competition. Sullivan & White have flown a number of corporate programs over the years including the ongoing program for Warsteiner beer and the very successful twelve year program for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. Please enjoy learning about two of the most well known, accomplished balloon pilots in the world and follow FLY GAS on their upcoming race.
