Our team consists 25 professionals whom have a lot of experience in ballooning. From the driver that picks you up from your hotel at 3-5 am and the chef who bakes cookies for you we are all dedicated to provide the best service. Our operation make team sure you get picked up on time and makes the paperwork by the time you finish your coffee. Our pilots prepare and inflate the balloon so you can hop on once you arrive to the take-off area. Crew is always chasing the balloon so that you land safely and enjoy the champagne at landing
Murat’s first took off with a balloon was in 2011. After working as a ground crew with the most experienced pilots in the region, he decided to jump into the basket. He was born in one of the caves of Goreme in 1992 and grew up in the valleys of Cappadocia. While he was in high school his ambition to the ballooning got him started working part time as ground crew. He got his licence right after highschool and started flying. He loves to travel and have been to many countries around the world already. He has lived in Barcelona for a year to learn Spanish. He studied architecture in the U.S.A. and flew balloons in 3 different continents. Murat currently manages Turquaz Balloons and also a boutique cave hotel in Goreme. He can be seen on his motorbike chasing the balloons on his day offs.
Vural could be the most energetic pilot in the universe. He is from the capital of Turkey but he has been living in Germany for a long time. He has operated taxi companies to transportation agencies with his own trucks all over the Europe. He got his airplane piloting licence and flew over Europe until he got bored. Then he found his love in hot air ballooning. Him and Murat were classmates and then basketmates in 2011. Their ways are finally crossed at Turquaz Balloons and their goal is to keep flying higher together. Vural’s experience in ballooning is second to none just like his experience in life. He keeps making people smile and sharing his experiences everyday.
When Ali Elma turned 18, he found himself at the hot air ballooning school. He is one of the youngest men to become a commercial hot air balloon pilot in Turkey. He is not only flying the balloons but he is also working at the Civil Aviation Authority to make ballooning better and safer. He has great ambitions about being a leading authority in the region. What's more he is a certified drone pilot and…..
He is definitely a gadget when it comes to ballooning. He has over 1000 hours of flights over the most magnificent canyons of Cappadocia.
Ali Polat might be the crew’s favorite pilot because of his sympathetic approach to the people. He has full knowledge of the region and the valleys as he is a local guy from Goreme. He was in local soccer team for a long time. He won multiple medals for his volunteering in the local charities. He is known as the most athletic pilot of our company. He is certified by the balloon manufacturers and in charge of the repair/maintenance of our balloons. He has over 1000 hours of flights and since he knows all the hidden beauties of Cappadocia most beautiful are taken in his flights.