ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Scott Appleman was a local man who spent a lifetime building Rainbow Ryders into the biggest and most successful balloon ride company in the country, maybe even the world. Scott Appelman's death, at just 66, shocked everyone who knew him, including his friend and fellow balloonist, Troy Bradley. Museum offering VR balloon rides during Balloon Fiesta If you have ever lost a close friend, you know how balloonist Troy Bradley is feeling these days. "He was so driven, and that was just what was so remarkable about him. You always thought that that visionary, the one leading the charge, would always be there," commented Bradley. Bradley knew Scott Appelman for more than 40 years, going back to when they were balloonists in their 20s and competing in the national ballooning championships. Over the years, Bradley watched Appelman build Rainbow Ryders from nothing to an industry giant. "40 years ago, I was flying for Sid Cutter as his chief pilot and watching Scott come out with the balloon and his wife at the time as his crew and taking two passengers. He had a balloon that carried two passengers, that was it, and I'm looking going, 'How's this ever going to make it?' Like there's no way, you can make it off two passengers a day, and then he gets it up into a company that is unparalleled in the world - not even the nation - in the world." Eventually, Bradley joined Appelman at Rainbow Ryders, which now boasts 100 employees, which jumps to 140 during Balloon Fiesta. Appelman, Bradley mentioned, was driven by more than business. Balloon Fiesta 2024: What you need to know Bradley holds more ballooning records than anyone in the world, but there is one thing he never got the chance to do: tell his friend that his legacy will live on. The public is invited to a celebration of Appelman's life this year. It will be on Monday, October 7, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Balloon Fiesta Park's "Sid Cutter Pavilion."