BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Most 16-year-olds have their eyes set on a driver’s license, but one Vermont Civil Air Patrol cadet wants to pilot hot air balloons.
It all started with Cadet Major Jorja Sutton’s first balloon ride above the 2023 Adirondack Balloon Festival in Quechee.
“I’m pretty sure there’s a picture of me out there, like with my eyes glowing from the fire, but with a big smile on my face,” said Sutton.
That ride lit a fire under Sutton. She asked leadership at Vermont Wing Civil Air Patrol – where she’s now a Cadet – to help her fly.
“She showed an interest and I said, ‘Well, I know there are avenues of approach. Let’s find out how we can do this for you,’” said Captain Alan Colvin.
Captain Colvin and the Balloon Federation of America helped get Sutton’s dream off the ground.
They connected her with a southeastern balloon camp in Georgia where she got a full scholarship and spent a week learning to operate the balloon and navigate wind layers.
“We flew almost every morning…It’s a little basket, you think you’re going to be swaying around, but it’s just like the floor lifted, and then you’re like, getting further away,” said Sutton.
Now Sutton flies as much as possible, returning to last fall’s festival to pilot.
Sometimes her aerial adventures land in new territory like random backyards, but she always brings a housewarming gift.
“You usually have wine but I’m not old enough, so I bring sparkling cider,” said Sutton.
Captain Colvin says Sutton is a prime example of what the Civil Air Patrol hopes to foster in cadets: a passion for aviation and the drive to learn more.
“It’s great to see her excitement and her journey,” said Colvin.
Sutton hopes the journey leads her to a job in cyber security for the National Guard.
“I think it’s more fun to just get there, get up and fly,” she said.
This fall, she hopes to fly the last hours needed for a license at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.