Balloon Safety Seminars

As with any other aviation activity, it is important that balloon pilots and crew continue their education to stay abreast of changes in regulations and learn from experts in the sport.

The FAA has long recognized the importance of recurrent education. Aviators who continually work to improve their skills and knowledge are safer. The new FAA WINGS program is available here, but the specialized nature of ballooning allows the industry to develop educational seminars that focus entirely on the unique aspects of ballooning.

One of the best ways to stay sharp and increase your ballooning knowledge is to attend a safety seminar. These meetings usually run one or two days and give participants the opportunity to interact with other balloonists as well as attend the educational presentations.

Safety seminars are a great way to get involved in the sport, too. Because the topics are of interest to active pilots, students and crew, these meetings will go a long way to help a newcomer learn about ballooning. You'll also meet many pilots and crew in your local area which is the best way to start ballooning.

Most safety seminars in the USA follow guidelines published by the Balloon Federation of America so the event can be "BFA Approved". Attendance at a "BFA Approved" safety seminar can lower insurance rates and insures the material covered is of value to balloonists who desire to build their knowledge.

FAA Sponsored Safety Seminar to be Broadcast Live via Internet

The Safety Seminar held at the FAA Production Studios in Lakeland, Florida (February 9, 2008) will also be broadcast live over the internet.

This will allow anyone to attend a BFA approved Safety Seminar from the comfort of their home or office, and BFA members can qualify for insurance credit. In order to qualify they will have to be a BFA member, answer questions that will be given by the presenters during the day, returning the answered questions and evaluation form at the end of the seminar. These will be available in the members only section of the BFA website.

More details about this seminar are available under "Internet" at right.

Balloon Clubs

If you want to get involved in ballooning but there isn't a live safety seminar near you, we suggest you contact a local balloon club. Check out our list of balloon clubs to find one near you.

2008 Safety Seminars

Internet

Worldwide:
Internet Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 9, 2008 0700 EST
Location:	Live streaming via your computer!
This broadcast can be seen over the internet by clicking the View Live Seminars icon in the upper right corner of the main menu at www.faasafety.gov or a similar link at www.faaproductionstudios.com.
Seminar details:
Join Host Don Edwards, Balloon Federation of America Southeast Director, and a team of Ballon Experts as they review this exciting sport from the perspective of "Safe Flight". There will be training on Balloon Inflation and Stand up outside of the facility at beginning at 0700 EST. Doors to the facility will open at 0800 EST.
For more information, contact:
Don Edwards Seminar Website 566 Buckminster Circle Orlando, Florida 32803 Email: sedonagypsy@yahoo.com Phone: 407-353-3337

Alabama

Decatur:
Annual Cheap Seats Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 23, 2008
Seminar details:
1 day core subjects seminar $30 per person includes lunch.
For more information, contact:
Heart of Dixie Balloon Club www.heartofdixieballoonclub.com Mike Wahl P.O. Box 2524 Decatur AL 35602 Email: mrwahl@hiwaay.net Phone: 256-350-6983

California

Riverside:
SCBA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	April 19, 2008
Location:	Flabob Airport
Seminar details:
BFA approved seminar
For more information, contact:
Southren California Balloon Assoc. Wendy Walsh Email: wendym1530@roadrunner.com

Connecticut

Windsor Locks:
2008 BFA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 15, 2008
Location:	New England Air Museum Bradley International Airport 35 Perimeter Rd Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Seminar details:
Please see club website for details.
For more information, contact:
Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society www.lighterthanair.org Penny Christy PO Box 53 Southbury, CT 06488-0053 Email: pmchristy@earthlink.net Phone: 860-638-3803

Idaho

Boise:
2008 BOI Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 16-17, 2008
Location:	Nampa Airport
Seminar details:
BFA multi subject core safety seminar. A two day Seminar with catered lunch if registration is in by 12 Feb 2008.
For more information, contact:
Balloons Over Idaho www.HotairBOI.org Doug Meyer Email: Secretary@HotairBOI.org Phone: 208-587-6582 Mailing Address: c/o Howard Reid 11553 W. Tempe Lane Star, Idaho 83669

Iowa

Des Moines:
IBA Continuing Education Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 8, 2008
Location:	DMACC Conference Center Newton, Iowa
Seminar details:
This is a one day BFA approved seminar with back to basic topics. On March 9, there will be a half day seminar that is solely focused on competition.
For more information, contact:
Iowa Balloonist Association www.flyiba.com/ Louise Clemons 1219 Wade St. Des Moines, IA 50315 Email: hotairrepair@aol.com Phone: 515-462-2771

Florida

Lakeland:
Florida Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 9, 2008
Location:	FAA Production Studios at the FAA NRC Lakeland Airport 4425 Sun 'n Fun Drive Lakeland, FL 33811
Seminar details:
Join Host Don Edwards, Balloon Federation of America Southeast Director, and a team of Ballon Experts as they review this exciting sport from the prespective of "Safe Flight". There will be training on Balloon Inflation and Stand up outside of the facility at begining at 0700. Doors to the facility will open at 0800.
For more information, contact:
Don Edwards Seminar Website 566 Buckminster Circle Orlando, Florida 32803 Email: sedonagypsy@yahoo.com Phone: 407-353-3337

Michigan

Ann Arbor:
2008 SEMBA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 15, 2008
Seminar details:
BFA Core Subject
For more information, contact:
Southeastern Michigan Balloon Association Christian Amundin PO Box 431503 Pontiac, MI 48343-1503 Email: christianamundin@comcast.net Phone: 248-866-4417

Missouri

St. Louis:
Gateway Aerostat Association Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 23, 2008
Location:	Best Western Hotel Maryland Heights, MO
Seminar details:
BFA approved core program.
For more information, contact:
Gateway Aerostat Association www.gaaballoons.com Mike Bien Email: mbien007@sbcglobal.net Phone: 314-724-0232

New Mexico

Albuquerque:
14th Annual Back To Basics
Seminar Date:	March 29, 2008
Location:	Bradens Balloons 3321 Princeton NE
Seminar details:
The cost is only $40.00 per person and lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided. Topics and instructors are: Weather with Clarke O’Byrne Tethering with Johnny Lewis Accidents with Morgan Braden FAR’S with Al Lowenstein Insurance with John Griffin Pilot Decision Making with Kevin Cloney Basic First Aid with Mike Carpenter
For more information, contact:
Bradens Balloons Morgan Braden 3321 Princeton Ne Albuquerque, NM 87107 Email: braden@netzero.net Phone: 505-261-8249

Albuquerque:
Back to Basics
Seminar Date:	April 19, 2008
Location:	121 Mountain Park Place Albuquerque, NM 87114
Seminar details:
Registration Starts at 7:00 a.m. $45.00 In Advance $50.00 At The Door Lunch and Snacks Included Topics: Weather FAR Updates Balloon Accidents Pilot/Crew Safety Pilot Decision Making Balloon Maintenance BFA Convention Overview
For more information, contact:
SuperiAire Technologies Garry Haruska Email: ltadr@superiaire.com Phone: 505-858-1685

Nevada

Reno:
Highland Balloon Repair safety seminar
Seminar Date:	March 8, 2008
Location:	Wooster High School
Seminar details:
Core, BFA approved $40.00
For more information, contact:
Katie Griggs P O Box 7525 Incline Village, NV 89452 Email: katieflys@yahoo.com Phone: 775-771-4175

North Carolina

Statesville:
CBA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 16, 2008
Location:	FireFly Balloons
Seminar details:
Single subject seminar focusing on balloon accidents. Featured presentors are Don Cline, George Hahn, Sean Askren.
For more information, contact:
Carolina Balloon Association Marsha Treacy 254 Blueberry Hill Drive Statesville, NC 28625 Email: marsha@aerosportballoons.com Phone: 704-880-0238

Ohio

Kent:
Balloonowledge 2008
Seminar Date:	March 15, 2008
Location:	Kent State Main Campus Kent, OH
Seminar details:
BFA approved back to basics seminar.
For more information, contact:
Northeast Ohio Balloon Pilots Association www.nobpa.com Karen Holt 9226 Hiner Road Wooster, Ohio 44691 Email: klholt@sssnet.com Phone: 330-263-6824

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City:
Safety through Education 2008
Seminar Date:	March 1, 2008
Seminar details:
Topics scheduled include: Pilot Decision Making with George Hahn, First Aid & Safety, Propane Safety, Rope Knot Tying, Power-line Safety, Maintenance & Repair of your equipment, Low Level Weather Systems and back by popular demand, the always entertaining, Balloonist & Attorney Robert A. Manchester III. Space is limited to 70 participants.
For more information, contact:
Flying High Balloon Services, LLC Michael Scott P.O. Box 57615 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 Email: spiritballoon@hotmail.com Phone: 405-947-2782

Oregon

McMinnville:
Willamette Valley Aerostats Society Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 1, 2008
Location:	Evergreen Air Museum
For more information, contact:
Willamette Valley Aerostats Society www.asballoon.org Laura Hancock Email: dayshancock@aol.com Phone: 503-270-7034

Pennsylvania

Lancaster:
John Wise Balloon Society Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 1, 2008
Location:	Millersville University
Seminar details:
BFA approved core subjects seminar, nine hour seminar, all day at McComsey Hall, Millersville University. Paul Petrehn of Cameron; Rob Wise of Balloon Works, Beth Miller of IMC Insurance, Keith Sproul, Donald Cline, etc.
For more information, contact:
John Wise Balloon Society www.johnwise.net Eleanor Robinson Email: ewood913@aol.com Phone: (888) 826-1965

Texas

Dallas/Ft. Worth:
2008 MBA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 8, 2008
Location:	Southfork Hotel Plano, TX
For more information, contact:
Metroplex Ballooning Association www.mbaballooning.org Keith Berry P.O. Box 861465 Plano, TX 75086-1465 Email: berryko@swbell.net Phone: 972-396-5441

Houston:
Lone Star Hot Air Balloon Association
Seminar Date:	March 1, 2008
Location:	Houston, TX
For more information, contact:
Lone Star Hot Air Balloon Association www.lshaba.org Phil Bryant P.O. Box 57568 Webster, TX 77598 Email: philbryant3@comcast.net Phone: 713-622-9074

Wisconsin

Appleton:
NE WI LTA Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	January 26, 2008
Location:	Fox Valley Technical College
Seminar details:
Single subject - Balloon Accidents Keynote speakers - Beth Miller, IMC Insurance Martin Harms - Aerostar International
For more information, contact:
Jane Jacobson Email: weaver47@msn.com Phone: 715-573-4430

Janesville:
31st Annual Midwest Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	March 1, 2008
Location:	Holiday Inn Express I-90 exit 171C between Madison & Rockford.
Seminar details:
Topics include Pilot/crew safety, Instrument maintenance/repair, FARs, Balloon accidents, Weather, Decision making, and Training. Registration, refreshments, welcome 0730-0810. Presentations begin at 0810.
For more information, contact:
Wisconsin Balloon Group wisballoongroup.homestead.com/sEMINAR.html Pete Asp Email: wisaero@centurytel.net Phone: 262-593-2251

Wyoming

Cheyenne:
Cheyenne Hot Air Balloon Club Safety Seminar
Seminar Date:	February 9, 2008
Location:	Cheyenne, Wyoming
Seminar details:
BFA approved core program.
For more information, contact:
Cheyenne Hot Air Balloon Club Heather Day Email: doday@wyoming.com