Hot air balloon glided like soap bubbles in the sky over Perris on a brisk, Sunday morning. One emblazoned with five teddy bears picked up an easterly air current heading toward San Jacinto and the hills. Then with the blast of twin propane burners, it scooted up a couple of hundred feet to catch a northerly breeze toward March Air Force Base.

The pilot watched smoke from a rubbish heap to gauge the wind. Then the burners flashed and he moved to another height without jarring the wicker basket that can carry him and up to four passengers.

This is part of the weekend life of charter air balloon pilot Dennis Biro, or Captain Teddy Bear, and his ground crew headed by fiancee, Koreen Morgan. On weekdays, Biro is a construction worker and Morgan works in a cafeteria. But on weekends, Biro and Morgan -- along with the 70-foot-tall Teddy Bears balloon -- are balloonists for hire.

Starting a charter service has been a dream come true for Biro and Morgan, both San Clemente residents. Biro has logged more than 1,400 hours in hot-air balloons. Morgan, 41, fell in love with ballooning soon after she met Biro, 45, three years ago. They decided that chartering the balloon would cover their expenses while bringing the enjoyment of flying to others.

"I fly because I enjoy flying the balloon," Biro said. "I feel guilty when I fly by myself." Teddy Bear Flights of San Clemente charges from $ 75 for a 35- to 45-minute sunrise flight to $ 270 an hour for an early morning, high-altitude flight to 10,000 feet. Late evenings are usually cheaper, but midday flights are rare because of increased turbulence. The balloon takes off from a private field in Perris or San Diego County.

Biro, who has flown balloons since 1995, said a flight is something one has to experience. "It's like being in your own magic cloud, floating free taking a view of the Earth like someone is turning a map below you (while) you're just sitting still," he said. The idea for the teddy bears came from a Japanese lantern the couple saw on a vacation.

They loved the idea of theme balloons, especially since Biro's nickname is "Teddy Bear." Biro said he got the nickname because of his looks and because he has always loved teddy bears.