Young Pilot Soars to National Hot Air Balloon Title | Grand Rapids News

Twenty-six-year-old Landon Kohtz, a lifelong balloon enthusiast from Wayland, just won the 2026 National Hot Air Balloon Championship—and now he’s representing the U.S. at the world stage in Poland. Trained by his dad since age five and licensed by twenty, Kohtz turns science and wind currents into art, comparing navigation to sailing through the skies. After celebrating his win at hometown Wayland Balloonfest, he’s heading to Poland with one goal: to conquer the global competition against over a hundred pilots and claim the ultimate prize. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.woodtv.com/news/allegan-county/west-michigan-balloon-pilot-headed-to-world-championship/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/50d98f194f9ade2a Report issues to [email protected].