James E. Ellis is a systems engineer with L-3 Titan Corporation at Mitre offices near Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, and a retired Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel. As a novice pilot, he experienced western-style mountain flying and seacoast flying in California. Living for over 25 years in Massachusetts has given him an appreciation for four-season flying as well. With over 2,200 flying hours logged, he holds a single engine commercial land and sea license with an instrument rating plus a commercial hot air balloon rating.

Ellis has flown nearly 200 different aircraft including the Piper Cub, most of the Piper Cherokee series and most Cessna single engine aircraft, and new types including the Lancair Columbia, the Cirrus SR22, and the Diamond DA-40. Unusual aircraft he has flown include a C-47, an autogyro, the Skyship 600 blimp, and a Tiger Moth biplane trainer he flew at a grass strip in New Zealand. He has owned and flown a Cherokee 180 for 30 years. He conducts EAA Young Eagles flights to inspire a new generation of pilots, and he has flown hot air balloons at festivals in the United States, Canada, France, and New Zealand. He also lectures, writes for a monthly aviation newspaper and balloon magazines, and serves on the Aero Club of New England Cabot Award selection committee.