Balloon Federation of America facts for kids
The Balloon Federation of America (BFA) is a special group that helps people learn about and enjoy lighter-than-air flying, like with hot air and gas balloons. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't aim to make money. The BFA started in 1960 and is located in Indianola, Iowa.
The BFA works closely with the National Balloon Museum. Together, they honor amazing people in ballooning by adding them to the United States Ballooning Hall of Fame. The Federation also gives out awards, like the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, for great pilots and crew members. They also help organize balloon events and make sure everyone follows the rules set by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
Anyone can join the BFA! Being a member means you get their magazine, "Ballooning." You can also get special recognition for your achievements as a pilot, crew, or observer. They offer online videos to help you learn about flying and safety. Some extra benefits include youth programs, chances to join balloon competitions (local, national, and even world-level), and special groups for professional balloon ride operators. They also support gas balloon races like the America's Challenge and the Gordon Bennett Cup. Many people who work for the BFA are volunteers. The National Balloon Museum and a big event called the National Balloon Classic are also in Indianola, Iowa.
Contents
History of Ballooning in the U.S.
In 1948, a balloon pilot named Don Piccard started the first national balloon group in the United States. It was called the Balloon Club of America (BCA). He worked with an early member, Tony Fairbanks, who helped by donating a large balloon net.
Later, in 1960, a new type of hot air balloon was created by a team of people, including Ed Yost. He is known as the "Father of Hot Air Ballooning." A group of people, including Pete Pellegrino, Don Kersten, and Ed Yost, went to Washington D.C. They wanted the government to recognize the BCA. With help from the National Aeronautic Association, the Balloon Club created a new organization called "The Balloon Federation of America" (BFA). The first members of the Balloon Club volunteered their time and money to start the BFA. Ed Yost told the new members, "Balloons are precious! Make our organization likewise!"
National Balloon Museum
The National Balloon Museum is a museum that doesn't aim to make a profit. It's located in Indianola, Iowa. The museum first opened in temporary spots in 1975. Then, in 1988, it found a permanent home. All the exhibits at the museum are about hot air ballooning and gas ballooning. The museum building itself is shaped like a hot air balloon's gondola (the basket part!). Another big balloon museum in the United States is the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Why the Museum Started
The U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship first came to Indianola in 1970. It was so successful that the championships started happening every year. This led to special exhibits being created for each competition. But these exhibits could only be shown for a short time. So, there was a need for a museum where they could be kept all year round. The museum has exhibits from the Balloon Federation of America that show over 200 years of ballooning history. One cool item in the museum is the first hot air balloon that flew across the English Channel.
Inside the museum, you'll also find the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame. There's a special area for kids with fun photo opportunities and books about ballooning. The museum also has a library. All the people who work at the museum are volunteers. About 24,000 people visit the museum every year, coming from many different countries. Since 1989, the museum has hosted a nine-day festival called the National Balloon Classic every year in late July.
U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame
The U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame is located at the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa. It honors people who have made important contributions to the sport and development of ballooning.
Here are some of the people who have been added to the Hall of Fame:
- 2004: Paul E. (Ed) Yost
- 2005: Don N. Kersten, Sidney D. Cutter
- 2006: Bruce Comstock, Peter Pellegrino
- 2007: Deke Sonnichsen, Malcolm Stevenson Forbes
- 2008: Tracy Barnes, Eddie Allen
- 2009: Jim Winker, Lucy Luck Stefan, Karl H. Stefan
- 2010: Anthony M. Fairbanks, Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr., Thomas A.F. Sheppard
- 2011: Ben L. Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, Dewey Reinhard
- 2012: Carol Rymer Davis, Dr. William Grabb, Matt Wiederkehr
- 2013: Dennis E. Floden, William Murtorff, Dr. Clayton Lay Thomas
- 2014: Nikki Caplan, Chauncey Dunn, Don Piccard
- 2015: Robert Dodds Meddock, Jr., Constance C. Wolf
- 2016: Troy Bradley, Bill Bussey, Bob Sparks
- 2017: David Levin, Steve Fossett, Thaddeus Lowe
- 2018: Debbra Spaeth, Alan Blount, Ward Van Orman
- 2019: Eleanor Vadala, Jim Birk—McAllen, Nick Saum
- 2020: Coy Foster, Mark Sullivan
Balloon Rules and Licenses
Hot air balloons and the people who fly them need to follow certain rules. These rules depend on the balloon's size, where it's flown, and what it's used for.
Rules for Balloons
In the U.S., all aircraft, including hot air balloons, must follow rules set by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Every balloon needs to be registered with a special "N-number." It also needs an airworthiness certificate, which means it's safe to fly. Plus, it must pass a safety check every year. Some very small balloons (weighing less than 155 pounds) can be used as ultralight aircraft, which have slightly different rules.
Rules for Pilots
Pilots get their flying licenses from the FAA. They must follow specific rules for how they operate their balloons. When modern hot air balloons were first developed around 1960-1961, there weren't any specific FAA rules for them. Around 1963, the company Raven Industries worked with the FAA to create rules for certifying hot air balloons. By 1964, the FAA started to recognize balloons as a type of aircraft. Specific rules for private and commercial balloon pilot licenses were introduced in 1974.
See also
