Factory
Cory Bloom Named Kubicek Heartland Dealer in U.S.
Kubicek Balloons is excited to announce Cory Bloom as the new Heartland USA Dealer (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas)
Kubicek Balloons is excited to announce Cory Bloom as the new Heartland USA Dealer (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas)
"Kubicek Balloons is thrilled to welcome Cory Bloom as the official Kubicek dealer for the Heartland region of the United States. The Heartland area was previously limited to Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and portions of Missouri and Kansas. We are expanding the Heartland territory, at this time, to include all areas of Missouri and Kansas, formerly covered by former dealer Wil Lapointe, with other exciting changes on the near horizon.
As we welcome Cory, we sincerely thank Brad Craig for his years of dedicated service as the Heartland dealer and look forward to his continued support of Kubicek Balloons as he remains a respected and valued member of the Kubicek family and community.
Cory has been a long-time supporter of the Kubicek brand and is a well-known and accomplished world class pilot. We believe he will be a strong resource for pilots throughout the Heartland area and a valuable addition to the Kubicek team.
We are pleased to officially welcome Cory to this role and look forward to the experience and perspective he will bring while supporting pilots throughout the Heartland region.
Warmest regards, It’s Time to Fly!"
Scott Gneiting
General Manager
Kubicek Balloons USA
"I’ve been flying hot air balloons for over 20 years, and my goals in flying are simple: be safe, have fun, and win, in that order. I take pride in doing things the right way, with a focus on safety, consistency, and respect for the sport. I love competing at a high level across the United States and internationally.
Some of my favorite places to fly are the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa, and the Czech Trophy Cup in Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic. I also enjoy mentoring new competition pilots, helping them build confidence, sharpen their skills, and continue moving up in the sport.
Growing the sport through grassroots initiatives and pilot training is a near-term focus for me. One of the biggest barriers to entry is access to quality equipment. I’m working to create training opportunities for new and aspiring pilots using the best Kubicek equipment, giving them hands-on experience at a very minimal cost. Indianola is a great place for this, with a strong ballooning community and a real opportunity to bring new pilots into the sport. I believe investing in the next generation of pilots is key to the future of ballooning.
My goal is to help pilots succeed by being a resource they can rely on at every stage. Whether you’re a student, a recreational pilot, a ride operator, or looking for guidance on corporate balloon programs, my focus is on providing the right equipment, honest guidance, and dependable support to help you move forward. I make it a priority to be accessible and responsive, and I work to ensure pilots have access to parts, service, and support when they need it.
Kubicek Balloons are built with a strong focus on performance, durability, and consistency. From my experience flying them, you can feel the difference in both the air and on the ground. Their envelopes are designed for predictable handling and long-term durability, and their burner and fuel systems are engineered for reliability across competitive, leisure, and commercial operations. They also use some of the most advanced polyester fabric in the industry, which sets them apart in terms of strength and longevity—and one of my favorites, the most vibrant colors.
In 2020, I worked closely with Clément Seigeot, Petr Kubíček, and factory engineer Mirka Vrbová to help fully redesign the Extreme Racer. I took delivery of the first system in 2021 and was immediately impressed by its capability, stability, and overall craftsmanship compared to other manufacturers I’ve flown. Since then, the design has proven itself at the highest levels of the sport. In 2024, Clément added a major milestone to Kubicek Balloons’ long history by winning the FAI World Championship flying the BB14XR, confirming that this design and level of craftsmanship represent the best in the world.
Being directly involved in that development gives me a unique perspective as a dealer. I understand how these systems are built to perform and how to match equipment to a pilot’s goals, whether for competition, recreational flying, or commercial operations. My focus is helping pilots make informed decisions and get the most out of their equipment from day one.
I’d also like to recognize Brad Craig for his time as a dealer for Kubicek Balloons. I’ve known Brad for a long time and even crewed for him at several events before I became a pilot. I learned a lot from him during those early days, and his passion for the sport was passed on to me. He has etched himself as a legend in Iowa ballooning, and I respect the impact he’s had in the sport over the years.
Outside of ballooning, I have a home in Indianola, Iowa, where I spend a lot of time with family, and I travel regularly throughout Missouri building relationships around land deals, along with a couple of weeks each winter in Texas. I’m an aviation enthusiast and aircraft owner, often flying cross-country in my 1967 Piper Cherokee. You can also usually find me outdoors with my Australian Shepherd, Boomer.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Kubicek Balloons in the Heartland and look forward to working with pilots across the region. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help in any way."
Cory Bloom – Kubicek Balloons Heartland, USA Dealer
