Jim Smith always had a passion for flight. His father was a barnstormer, so his desire to become a pilot began at an early age. Jim started flying airplanes in 1958. By 1970, he had his instrument and multi-engine ratings. Jim belonged to the Flying Dentists Association. He would fly his wife Marion, son Mark, and daughters Nancy and Julie around the United States for their family vacations in his Cessna 210.
In the late 1970's his interest switched from flying fixed-wing aircraft to hot air ballooning. By 1982 Jim earned his Commercial Lighter than Air Free Balloon Rating, and purchased a Barnes balloon with his daughter, Nancy. In 1983 he and his family bought a balloon in England to participate in the celebrations commemorating the 200 year anniversary of human flight.
For the next 17 years, Jim continued to fly balloons, participating in hot air balloon rallies around the United States and instructing his many student pilots. For many years he volunteered as a flight instructor for the Illinois Civil Air Patrol's Johnson Flight Encampment.
Jim had over 1000 hours as Pilot in Command of a hot air balloon and nearly 1000 hours as Pilot in Command of a fixed -wing aircraft.