Roxie Arnold, from Cheyenne, will be the official Hot Air Balloon Pilot for Daisy's Dream. She is the first female, Wyoming native, balloon pilot. She is a long time Girl Scout volunteer and recipient of the Thanks Badge for her efforts above and beyond the call of duty.

Roxie started her balloon career as a chase person. When a pilot flies, they require a chase crew to follow and help retrieve the balloon. She chased balloons for 10 years before she became a pilot. She received her private pilot's license in 1991 and her commercial license in 1993. She has over 200 hours of flying time in a balloon.

Roxie is a member of the Balloon Federation of America. This professional organization for pilots holds safety meetings, continuing education, and challenges with awards. She has achieved all of the levels for crewing and has three of the pilot levels.

Roxie has organized many rallies in the state and was the Balloonmeister for the Riverton Rally for 10 years. She helped organize the Balloon Safety Seminar in Cheyenne. She is an instructor and has trained two pilots and is working with a third student. She recently was appointed as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Roxie's greatest experience as a chase person was to crew for Malcolm Forbes and chase the Chateau de Balleroy. The Chateau was a balloon made in the shape of Malcolm's French mansion. Malcolm was the editor of Forbes magazine and would buy a balloon that would signify something special in different countries. When they would let him fly in their country he would give them the balloon.

As a pilot, Roxie cites the rallies as a great experience. The best part is sharing the sport of ballooning with the many people that one meets.

Roxie will be doing a balloon glow Friday night and doing a lift off Saturday morning at 6:30 AM from the Daisy Circle. If the weather doesn't permit the flight she will try again Sunday morning.