David has been involved in ballooning for many years. In 1976, David was the co-founder of The Balloon Ranch in Southern Colorado, a full service resort specializing in the sport of Hot Air Ballooning. He lists numerous major ballooning awards including: World Hot Air Balloon Champion in 1985.  U.S. National Gas Balloon Champion in 1987, 1989 & 1993,  U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Champion in 1989,  World Gas Balloon Champion and Gordon Bennett winner in 1992.  David is the only pilot to have won both Hot Air and Gas World Championships, and completed the "Triple Crown" of Ballooning when he won the Gordon Bennett Balloon Race.  Other first place finishes include the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race,  The Trans-Australia Bicentennial Balloon Race, The Canadian Open National Championship and the BP Alpine Balloon Trophy in Austria.