About the bosses
Kent Ballooning is owned and run by husband and wife team, Michael & Louisa Spice.
Our Chief Pilot Michael has been flying balloons since 1998. Prior to that he was a ground crew member for 3 years. He didn’t know he wanted to be a balloon pilot until he realised that it fitted so well around his passion for windsurfing! When it’s windy, he can be found on beach getting wet with a windsurf!
He has lived in Hythe since 1991 where he grew up in his parents restaurant on the sea front. Since then he has travelled the world flying balloons in the Hunter Valley, Australia, all over America and in Ontario, Canada. He has also flown across the English channel in a hot air balloon!
His most memorable balloon flight was across Ontario airport in Canada when air traffic control stopped aeroplanes landing and taking off until he was clear of the airspace – and yes, it was planned!
Michael is also a fully qualified hot air balloon Pilot Instructor and can often be found teaching students the way’s of the sky.
In the Winter, he takes to the ski slopes and enjoys a beer or two whilst soaking up some winter sun! He also gets out on his mountain bike more to make up for the busy summer of flying!
In the office, you will be talking to Louisa, she accidentally fell into ballooning when she met Michael! Prior to Kent Ballooning, she organised conferences and events, mainly in the automotive industry.
When not in the office, Louisa enjoys skiing, mountain biking, running and entertaining the children! Winter is also spent on the ski slopes teaching the children to ski!
You might even get to meet our youngest members of crew, Ellie & Millie Spice! They love Daddy’s balloon and like to come out to wave the passengers off on their flight. They aren’t so good at pouring champagne though!
Why not join us?
We are always looking for new ground crew. If you would like a flexible, part time, enjoyable job then Kent Ballooning could be for you!!
Applicants must be over 25 in order to be insured on the vehicles. No experience is necessary as full training will be given. You must be reasonably fit as the job involves manual labour and enjoy meeting the general public. Our flying season runs 7 days a week between April and October so most of our current ground crew have full time jobs and fit ballooning in around their normal work. We usually meet at our office in Stanford North, near Hythe and then travel to the launch site from there. Meeting times for crew are usually 5am for our morning flights and anywhere between 4pm and 6pm for our evening flights, depending on the time of year. You can do as many or as few crews a week to fit in around your lifestyle – but remember it’s all weather dependant!!
If you think you fit the bill, then please contact Louisa on 01303 812 812 or email her at sales@kentballooning.com.