Hershey Balloon Flights

In continuing the Uplifting Spirits Around the World initiative, today we had the honor and privilege to give back to our active duty military personnel. Master Sargent Brandin Ferry and his wife Felicia were able to check a major item off their bucket list, a balloon ride. Brandin is a United States Air Force munitions expert and is only home for two weeks before returning to Qatar for a year. We are thrilled we could give back just a little to show our appreciation and gratitude. Thank You Brandian and Felicia.

Not this year :( Next year :)

A shout out and big Thank You to Cameron Balloons US for another fine aircraft and meeting a tight build schedule enabling successful completion of the customers project. #cameronballoonrocks

A glorious flight in Hershey PA to honor and thank all the front line workers during the Covid pandemic. We took great pleasure in providing a bucket list flight for the Captain of the Silver Spring VFD, Mike Ott and his wife Penny. #liftingspirits

Not this year :( Next year :)

https://youtu.be/w0DhPHIxIiQ

In honor of "Thoughtful Thursday" we would like to honor the Grocery Store employees. From the stockers, butchers, bakers, baggers, cashiers, and everyone else who had been resilient in this line of work. THANK YOU for being you.

Proud to be part of the Aero Club of America, North Carolina Chapter, owners of the amazing aircraft.

There's still time! The first ever virtual balloon camp will be July 13th - 16th, 2020 and you can still join in! Because it is virtual we do not have a limit ...on the number of participants. There is also no age restriction! If you've ever thought to yourself that you might like to do balloon camp or if you want to learn more about many of the things we have to know as pilots this is your chance to join in! There is a FREE camp so there is no reason not to sign up and give it a try! Head to www.bfa.net/campinar and get registered today!

We are happy to announce that the 2020 BFA On-Line Seminar Webinar videos are now available. Log onto www.bfa.net and go to EDUCATION, then VIDEO SEMINAR LIBRAR...Y to view the new videos. SPEAKERS: Don Day - Weather Gordon Schwontkowski - Accident Review Mark West - Aeronautical Decision Making Bill Zangs - Airspace Kim Magee - Flight Planning Caleb Melton - First Aid Dean Carlton - Crew Training Since they are videos, they can be watched at anytime. All the BFA seminar videos may be viewed at no extra charge by BFA members. Registration and fees are only needed if taking the seminar for insurance credit. Registration is $60 for BFA Pilots and $35 for BFA Crew. Thanks to the Webinar team for their hard work to get this webinar to us almost 2 week early! Click here to register for the seminar: https://www.bfa.net/2020-online-seminar

BFA Covid-19 Update Spring has sprung! This is the time of year when many of us are eager to get outdoors, to jump into our balloons and take to the skies to en...joy the freedom and exhilaration that only our sport can deliver. But this Spring is different The Coronavirus/Covid-19 crisis has changed the world we live in, sparking national lockdowns around the world. Like each of you, the BFA continues to monitor the progress of this disease and its impact on our members and our sport. Now, with the arrival of better weather, some of you may be asking, Am I okay to go fly? There is no clear and absolute answer. It should be noted that there has been no federally mandated no fly policy, either by the White House or the FAA. Likewise, the BFA is not a regulatory body. We cannot mandate our member’s behavior. However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued National Guidelines for ALL Americans to follow in this national emergency. You can read those guidelines here https://www.coronavirus.gov Additionally, across the USA, the Governors of most (but still not all) 50 states have issued various Stay At Home orders to their citizens. While not universal, these orders do follow these general conditions: Stay At Home No gathering of people in groups larger than (2) (10) (50) people at a time. All shops closed except those selling essential supplies Limit travel/outdoor activity to essential needs only including: for food and essential supplies, for medical needs, exercise, and to care for a vulnerable person. Do not go to work unless deemed an essential business So in making a decision whether or not to go for a balloon flight, while there is no current regulatory restriction against doing so, consider the social and ethical restrictions, notably: Can you/your crew/passengers maintain proper social distancing in the course of the launch, flight, chase, and recovery? Is your travel essential? And what about landowners? Imagine the reaction of a landowner who has been shut in for days (maybe weeks), possibly with their children home as well, when you and a gang of people (passengers & crew) show up unexpected and uninvited on their property, acting for all the world as if it’s just another day. Or perhaps you’ll land in a schoolyard or at a church, or a park or other public property, closed to its normal activities specifically for the purpose of keeping people from gathering in close proximity. Now consider the news media keen to report any story suggesting some people see the guidelines as something only others should follow. How will your flight be perceived by them and their millions of viewers, most of whom have also been struggling with this pandemic and may already have had a friend or loved one succumb to the disease? Remember it is possible to carry and spread the disease without yet showing symptoms. What will you say to the family who possibly loses a loved one after being infected by yourself, one of your crew, or even a passenger or family member who was along for the social outing? What will your family say if it’s YOU who becomes infected? There is currently no regulation saying you cannot fly. However the BFA strongly advises that as a responsible pilot you should make yourself aware of all the available information, Federal, State and local, guidelines, and/or restrictions applicable to your flying area and then use your best judgment to make a go/no go decision. We love our sport and our ballooning family and care deeply about all of you. Like you, we are looking forward to the day when we can color the sky with beautiful colors and share the magic of ballooning. For the present, we suggest, Stay At Home and follow all Federal, State and local guidelines and restrictions. Stay safe, Your BFA Board of Directors

BUY A PIN - SAVE A LIFE !!! We are urgently making these official limited edition Puddles and Splash C19 Fundraising pins, please help us raise money to donate ...on behalf of the ballooning community. ALL PROFITS will go directly to help fund PPE (Personal protective Equipment) so vital for staff working in the hospitals to help fight this virus. We have UK, USA and Italian versions and the profits from each pin will be donated DIRECTLY IN FULL to the respective country's front line. Buying a pin, literally could buy a mask for a worker and save a life. Think about that and help us support our amazing NHS and our friends in the USA and Italy. #WashYourWings #LavatiLeAli http://www.thehotair.store/pins/

In the fall of 2017 the NJ restaurant of a long-time balloonist was lost to a devastating fire. It was filled with balloon memorabilia from a lifetime time of ...flying. Among the items in the restaurant was a BFA Director's Award that had been presented to the Great Eastern Balloon Association - GEBA by then NE Director Bill Hughes. This March during the GEBA Continuing Education Seminar the current NE Director, Mark MacSkimming replaced the lost award, presenting it to the 2010 GEBA President, Joe Doerer. #BFA #BFAballooning #GEBA #BFADirectorsAward