Up, up and away for Plymouth's Kunze

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Those who know Brian Kunze, 2007 Plymouth High School graduate, naturally associate him with hot air balloons.

Kunze was recently invited by the HACD (Balloon Federation of America/Hot Air Competition Division), to compete in the FAI Junior World Championship. The event features hot air balloon pilots from around the world. However, due to time and financial constraints, Kunze will be unable to compete since the event will be held in May in Lithuania.

Kunze was one of only ten from the United States who received an invitation. To qualify for the event, pilots have to be under the age of 27. They also must hold a Balloon Federation of America (BFA) competition card.  Invitees were selected based on the points that they had gathered from BFA sanctioned events.


““It has been great to be invited to the Junior World Championship," Kunze said. "I did not think I would since I have only competed in local competitions and have not been a part of the larger national competitions.  Unfortunately due to the late notice of the invitation, I will not be able to compete due to lack of funds.”

“I look forward to competing at a higher level within the United States ballooning competitions.  Hopefully in the next year or two, I will have raised enough funds to compete in the second and third annual Junior World Championships.”

Kunze is in his first year of teaching at Menominee Elementary where he serves as the Information Literacy Assistant. He graduated in 2007 from Manchester College with a degree in Social Studies at the secondary education level, but has become a favorite with the students at the elementary school.

Menominee Principal Michael Dunn said, “He was an awesome find. He has really connected to the kids and helping to integrate technology at school.”

Kunze hopes to use his hot air balloon expertise to teach the students about how weather affects and the science of how balloons are able to fly. Kunze said, “If the weather permits, I want to bring the balloon to the school grounds and maybe even inflate it.”

Kunze was only in kindergarten when he was invited to ride in hot air balloons with his classmate Brandon Jones whose father, Jeff Jones, was a hot air balloon pilot. Kunze and Jones continued their love of flying and helped as crew members for Jones for many years. For the past four years, Brian and his father Jim Kunze have been piloting the hot air balloon owned by WTCA/WZOC at events throughout them mid-west. They have become a fixture at the annual Blueberry Festival.

Brian Kunze said he has piloted the balloon for over 65 trips. 

“My dad and I spend good quality time piloting the hot air balloon. We tease each other all the time about who is the best, but it is all in good fun.” Kunze said.