RENO, Nev. – Even though the sun wasn’t up yet, Cindy Heinrich and her launch team were busy at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park setting up her balloon, Chromatica, to be among the first to take flight during the 43rd Great Reno Balloon Race.

“After the national anthem, they put the women in aviation up next,” Heinrich said. “So we get a little bit of attention because we go up before everyone else.”

This year’s theme is Women in Aviation.

“I hope to inspire girls to know that they do have a place in aviation,” Heinrich said. “And you can do it when you’re young. It’s possible.”

According to her, it is important to find the right mentor.

“I love ballooning,” said Heinrich.

There is a growing number of women in aviation right now. There is a new pilot in the Reno area and three or four other female student pilots in ballooning.

“It’s super awesome that we’re being recognized like this,” Heinrich said as Chromatica lifted off with the other female balloonists. “It’s cool to look around and see ‘these are the women in ballooning right now.’ It’s pretty special.”

At 26, Heinrich herself is special too.

She started attending the Great Reno Balloon Races when she was 8 ½ months old. It is the world’s largest free balloon event.

“I fell in love with ballooning when I came to this event,” Heinrich said. “I haven’t missed one in my entire life. … I’m 26 years old. This is my third year flying this event. This is my 26th year here.”

Heinrich balloons for fun. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020 with a double major in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering.

Then she got her commercial pilot’s license.

Heinrich operates private balloon rides primarily near Prosser Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, Gardnerville and Carson Valley.

She charges $300 per person and makes 30 trips a year.

In addition to her technical skills, Heinrich is also an air guide.

“Hot air ballooning is a sport to share. I love sharing it with my loved ones, my friends and my family,” Heinrich said. “I’m so happy to share it with you.”

Heinrich’s Chromatica is one of about 100 in this year’s Great Reno Balloon Race. Chromatica is the former Olympus Camera balloon.

“When we’re flying with that many balloons, we have to watch out for each other,” Heinrich said. “So if you see a balloon below me that’s starting to climb toward me, let me know. Even if you’re not sure, I’d rather see it than not see it.”

Heinrich then explained how she uses Chromatica’s shadow as one of many tools to assess security.

“I don’t see a shadow balloon directly above me…” Heinrich said. “There probably isn’t a balloon directly above me right now.”

Heinrich explained the rules of heaven.

“I have priority over balloons above me, but you don’t want to cut them off or anything, making them climb super fast,” Heinrich said.

She has three rules for her passengers.

“Rule No. 1, don’t get out of the basket,” Heinrich said. “Whether we’re in the air or on the ground … because if I lose a lot of weight unexpectedly, I’m going to climb super fast. And that can be dangerous for everyone involved.”

“Rule #2: When we come here to land this thing… make sure you take care of yourself.”

In calm weather, participants can hold on to the edge of the basket and the uprights, with both feet on the ground, knees slightly bent and facing the direction the balloon is traveling.

During a fast landing, riders must hold on to the handles in the basket or the tanks.

“Rule #3, ballooning is a sport for sharing,” Heinrich said. “If you see something cool, point it out, because I want to see it too. If you see something that scares you, tell me. I want to be just as scared as you are.”

Heinrich encouraged the cyclists to enjoy the scenery and point out the high-voltage power lines.

“So if I’m flying low, feel free to point them out,” Heinrich said. “I’ve probably seen them 99.99999999999999999% of the time, but I’d rather see them twice than not at all.”

Heinrich flew Chromatica at an altitude of 4,940 feet, near Peavine Elementary School.

“They’re all there to cheer us on,” Heinrich said as he waved back to the students. “It’s cute.”

During the flight, Heinrich continuously opened and closed the propane tank.

She said this circulates the propane to the burner, allowing it to expand into vapor, and when it hits the pilot light, it creates a flame that controls the height.

Then Heinrich heard: “Good morning!”

She looked down at the people gathered in the street. Heinrich returned the sentiment.

“You don’t get that when you’re flying around in an airplane,” Heinrich said. “This is a special kind of aviation.”

Then Heinrich heard a familiar voice.

“Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by to say hello,” said a balloonist next to her.

As they greeted each other, Heinrich searched for a place to land. She needed an open area that the ground crew could reach, and that was free of power lines, streetlights, and large trees.

Heinrich pumped hot air into the aircraft in short bursts, causing it to descend slowly and land smoothly.

At the time, Heinrich’s crew was at Jester Court and King Edward Drive when she landed Chromatica. Laura Heinrich, Cindy’s mother, and the rest of the crew were tracking the balloon on the Glympse app.

“This looked like a nice place to land,” Heinrich said. “And people came out and had friendly faces.”

According to resident Billie Irvin, this is the fifth or sixth year that a balloon has landed in front of her door.

“It’s so exciting,” Irvin said. “And usually there are a lot of people in pajamas and robes. But I’m the only cat, who cares!”

To contact Heinrich, please email [email protected].