COMPETITIVE COMPETITIVE BALLOONINGBALLOONING

byby

Jim ThompsonJim Thompson

Graphics by Jeff ThompsonGraphics by Jeff Thompson

PRESENTED AT PRESENTED AT

Balloon Safety SeminarBalloon Safety Seminar

Lakeland, FloridaLakeland, Florida

FebruaryFebruary 9, 20089, 2008

COMPETITIVE BALLOONINGCOMPETITIVE BALLOONING

How many of you fly How many of you fly competition?competition?

How many of you are How many of you are competitive pilots?competitive pilots?

COMPETITION BALLOONINGCOMPETITION BALLOONING Unorganized competitionUnorganized competition

Organized competitionOrganized competition

Sanctioned competitionSanctioned competition

UNORGANIZEDUNORGANIZED COMPETITIONCOMPETITION One balloonOne balloon

• Obtain detailed weather forecastObtain detailed weather forecast• Use pibal to obtain local wind Use pibal to obtain local wind

direction and speeddirection and speed• Pick targets or landing locations Pick targets or landing locations

before takeoff before takeoff • Use GPS for navigation during Use GPS for navigation during

flightflight• Practice throwing markers from Practice throwing markers from

various altitudes and speedsvarious altitudes and speeds

UNORGANIZEDUNORGANIZED COMPETITIONCOMPETITION Two balloonsTwo balloons

• Obtain detailed weather forecastObtain detailed weather forecast• Use pibal to obtain local wind Use pibal to obtain local wind

direction and speeddirection and speed• Agree on targets or landing locations Agree on targets or landing locations

before takeoffbefore takeoff• Use GPS for navigation during flightUse GPS for navigation during flight• Practice throwing markers from Practice throwing markers from

various altitudes and speedsvarious altitudes and speeds

UNORGANIZEDUNORGANIZED COMPETITIONCOMPETITION Additional balloonsAdditional balloons

• Obtain detailed weather forecastObtain detailed weather forecast• Use pibal to obtain local wind Use pibal to obtain local wind

direction and speeddirection and speed• Agree on targets or landing locations Agree on targets or landing locations

before takeoffbefore takeoff• Use GPS for navigation during flightUse GPS for navigation during flight• Use marker to determine pilot closest Use marker to determine pilot closest

to targetto target

ORGANIZED COMPETITIONORGANIZED COMPETITION

Balloon club flightsBalloon club flights

Weekend eventsWeekend events

Weeklong eventsWeeklong events

SANCTIONING SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONSORGANIZATIONS

FAIFAI

CIACIA

NAANAA

BFABFA

FEDERATION AERONAUTIQUE FEDERATION AERONAUTIQUE INTERNATIONALEINTERNATIONALE

FAI, the world air sports FAI, the world air sports federation founded in 1905. federation founded in 1905. It is a non-governmental It is a non-governmental and non-profit making and non-profit making international organization international organization with the basic aim of with the basic aim of furthering aeronautical and furthering aeronautical and astronautical activities astronautical activities worldwide. worldwide.

www.fai.orgwww.fai.org

FEDERATION AERONAUTIQUE FEDERATION AERONAUTIQUE INTERNATIONALEINTERNATIONALE

FAI Ballooning Commission FAI Ballooning Commission FAI General Aviation Commission FAI General Aviation Commission FAI Gliding Commission FAI Gliding Commission FAI Aeromodeling Commission FAI Aeromodeling Commission FAI Parachuting Commission FAI Parachuting Commission FAI Aerobatic Commission FAI Aerobatic Commission FAI Astronautic Records FAI Astronautic Records

Commission Commission FAI Hang Gliding & Paragliding FAI Hang Gliding & Paragliding

CommissionCommission FAI Microlight Commission FAI Microlight Commission FAI Rotocraft CommissionFAI Rotocraft Commission

COMMISSION AEROSTATION COMMISSION AEROSTATION INTERNATIONALEINTERNATIONALE

President : Jean-President : Jean-Claude WEBER (Luxemburg) Claude WEBER (Luxemburg)

1st Vice-President :  1st Vice-President :  Hans ÅKERSTEDT (Sweden) Hans ÅKERSTEDT (Sweden)

2nd Vice-President : 2nd Vice-President : Uwe SCHNEIDER (Germany)Uwe SCHNEIDER (Germany)

3rd Vice- President :3rd Vice- President :Mark SULLIVAN (USA)Mark SULLIVAN (USA)

www.fai.org/ballooningwww.fai.org/ballooning

NATIONAL AERONAUTIC NATIONAL AERONAUTIC ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION

The primary mission of NAA is The primary mission of NAA is the advancement of the art, the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation sport, and science of aviation and space flight by fostering and space flight by fostering opportunities to participate opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and fully in aviation activities and by promoting public by promoting public understanding of the understanding of the importance of aviation and importance of aviation and space flight to the United space flight to the United States.States.

www.naa.aerowww.naa.aero

BALLOON FEDERATION OF BALLOON FEDERATION OF AMERICAAMERICA

As the official ballooning As the official ballooning branch of the United States branch of the United States National Aeronautic National Aeronautic Association, the Balloon Association, the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) Federation of America (BFA) represents the interests of represents the interests of some 2,500 member hot air some 2,500 member hot air and gas balloon pilots and and gas balloon pilots and crew.crew.

www.bfa.netwww.bfa.net

BALLOON FEDERATION OF BALLOON FEDERATION OF AMERICAAMERICA

The BFA provides programs of The BFA provides programs of educational and safety educational and safety training, organizing and training, organizing and operating the US National operating the US National Balloon Championships as well Balloon Championships as well as other local, state and as other local, state and regional competitions, and regional competitions, and selecting US representative selecting US representative pilots for participation in World pilots for participation in World Championships and the Championships and the prestigious Coupe de Gordon prestigious Coupe de Gordon Bennett gas balloon race.Bennett gas balloon race.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 Championship in Anderson, SC2008 Championship in Anderson, SC

August 27 through September 1, August 27 through September 1, 20082008

50 competitive pilots & 30 non 50 competitive pilots & 30 non competitorscompetitors

$50,000 prize money for competitors $50,000 prize money for competitors and $20,000 for non competitorsand $20,000 for non competitors

Championship Director – David LevinChampionship Director – David Levin

FUTURE NATIONAL FUTURE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS

Hot Air Competition Hot Air Competition Division is actively Division is actively soliciting locations soliciting locations for 2009 and future for 2009 and future championshipschampionships

NORTH AMERICAN NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP

2011 – Open for 2011 – Open for submittal of bid by submittal of bid by host organization host organization and cityand city

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPWORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 – Hofkirchen, Austria 2008 – Hofkirchen, Austria

(September 13 – 20)(September 13 – 20) 2010 – Bids being considered 2010 – Bids being considered

by CIA for Hungary and India by CIA for Hungary and India 2012 – Submittal of bid being 2012 – Submittal of bid being

considered by Anderson, SC, considered by Anderson, SC,

2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

USA expects to have 8 USA expects to have 8 competitorscompetitors

Johnny PetrehnJohnny Petrehn Joe HeartsillJoe Heartsill Pat CannonPat Cannon Nick Donner Nick Donner Paul Petrehn Paul Petrehn Al NelsAl Nels Owen KeownOwen Keown Joe ZvadaJoe Zvada

2006 US World Team

BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION DIVISIONDIVISION

Sam Parks – Chair – Southeast Sam Parks – Chair – Southeast RegionRegion

Steve Lombardi – Vice Chair – Steve Lombardi – Vice Chair – Southwest RegionSouthwest Region

Barb Davis – Secretary – Barb Davis – Secretary – Event Official memberEvent Official member

Dick Donnelly – Finance Dick Donnelly – Finance Manager – Great Lakes RegionManager – Great Lakes Region

Richard Sabin – At Large Richard Sabin – At Large John Davis IV – At LargeJohn Davis IV – At Large Jim Thompson – North Central Jim Thompson – North Central

RegionRegion Al Nels – Northeast RegionAl Nels – Northeast Region Dale Wong – Western RegionDale Wong – Western Region David Levin – Championship David Levin – Championship

DirectorDirector Mike Tuten – Chief ObserverMike Tuten – Chief Observer Andrew Baird – BFA Board Andrew Baird – BFA Board

Liaison Liaison

BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION DIVISIONDIVISION

ElectionsElections 2009 2009

• Great Lakes Region Board Great Lakes Region Board MemberMember

• Southwest Region Board Southwest Region Board MemberMember

20102010• North Central Region Board North Central Region Board

MemberMember• Southeast Region Board Southeast Region Board

MemberMember

BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION BFA HOT AIR COMPETITION DIVISIONDIVISION

PURPOSE OF BFA PURPOSE OF BFA SANCTIONINGSANCTIONING

Establish common rules and Establish common rules and procedures for competitionprocedures for competition

Establish a fair method of Establish a fair method of evaluating pilot skillsevaluating pilot skills

Develop a National Ranking Develop a National Ranking SystemSystem

Qualify pilots for participation in Qualify pilots for participation in U.S. National Hot Air Balloon U.S. National Hot Air Balloon ChampionshipChampionship

Develop list of pilots qualified for Develop list of pilots qualified for International and World International and World CompetitionCompetition

BFA SANCTION COMPETITION BFA SANCTION COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONSRULES AND REGULATIONS

Similar to Similar to International RulesInternational Rules

International rules International rules used for Nationalsused for Nationals

HACD reviewing HACD reviewing rulesrules

Available from BFA Available from BFA OfficeOffice

On BFA web siteOn BFA web site

BFA GUIDELINES FOR EVENT BFA GUIDELINES FOR EVENT ORGANIZERSORGANIZERS

Event Guidelines Event Guidelines presently being presently being reviewed by HACDreviewed by HACD

Goal to update and Goal to update and streamline procedurestreamline procedure

Review should be Review should be finalized in Aprilfinalized in April

To be published on BFA To be published on BFA web siteweb site

BFA SANCTIONED BFA SANCTIONED COMPETITIONCOMPETITION

Safety SanctionSafety Sanction Open SanctionOpen Sanction Traveling SanctionTraveling Sanction Local SanctionLocal Sanction State ChampionshipState Championship Regional ChampionshipRegional Championship

BFA SANCTIONED BFA SANCTIONED COMPETITIONCOMPETITION

The Hot Air Competition The Hot Air Competition Division will be reviewing Division will be reviewing the rules and requirements the rules and requirements for each type of sanctionfor each type of sanction

A A SANCTION IN A BOXSANCTION IN A BOX is is being developed to provide being developed to provide details of what BFA will details of what BFA will provide for each type of provide for each type of sanctionsanction

WHAT DOES COMPETITION DO WHAT DOES COMPETITION DO FOR YOU?FOR YOU?

Challenges your pilot skillsChallenges your pilot skills Measures pilot skillsMeasures pilot skills Improves pilot skillsImproves pilot skills Increases crew involvement Increases crew involvement

and skillsand skills

CHALLENGES YOUR PILOT CHALLENGES YOUR PILOT SKILLSSKILLS

Competition forces pilots to establish goals or Competition forces pilots to establish goals or targetstargets

In order to reach a target you must fly the balloon, In order to reach a target you must fly the balloon, not let the balloon fly younot let the balloon fly you

When flying the balloon, you learn to read the speed When flying the balloon, you learn to read the speed and direction of different wind layersand direction of different wind layers

You learn to recognize changing conditions and how You learn to recognize changing conditions and how to adapt to them throughout the flightto adapt to them throughout the flight

MEASURES PILOT SKILLSMEASURES PILOT SKILLS Compare skills with others Compare skills with others

flying is same areaflying is same area• With pilots on individual flightsWith pilots on individual flights• With pilots at competitionsWith pilots at competitions

Compare skills on a Regional Compare skills on a Regional basisbasis

Compare skills on a National Compare skills on a National basisbasis• National Ranking SystemNational Ranking System• National ChampionshipNational Championship

Compare skills on a World Compare skills on a World basisbasis• World Ranking ListWorld Ranking List

IMPROVES PILOT SKILLSIMPROVES PILOT SKILLS Requires preflight planningRequires preflight planning Requires additional knowledge of Requires additional knowledge of

weather and wind conditions weather and wind conditions during entire flight operation during entire flight operation

Requires use of GPS in flight Requires use of GPS in flight planning and in each flightplanning and in each flight

Requires continual good decision Requires continual good decision makingmaking

Requires controlling the balloon Requires controlling the balloon under varying flight conditionsunder varying flight conditions

INCREASES CREW INCREASES CREW INVOLVMENT AND SKILLSINVOLVMENT AND SKILLS

Crew learns to work as a teamCrew learns to work as a team Crew learns to obey rules Crew learns to obey rules Crew required to practice good Crew required to practice good

landowner relationslandowner relations Crew improves map skills Crew improves map skills Crew gets to experience excitement Crew gets to experience excitement

of competitionof competition Crew takes pride in accomplishments Crew takes pride in accomplishments

of pilotof pilot

RESOURCESRESOURCES

On Target On Target by Pat Cannon – (Two by Pat Cannon – (Two time National Champion) in time National Champion) in BALLOONINGBALLOONING

CD containing all segmentsCD containing all segments of On of On Target Target available from BFA Officeavailable from BFA Office

On Target by Pat Cannon - BALLOONINGOn Target by Pat Cannon - BALLOONING Mar/Apr 2001 Commit to Compete May/Jun 2001 Equip Yourself to Compete Jul/Aug 2001 Map Your Way to the Target Sep/Oct 2001 The Tail of the Pibal Nov/Dec 2001 The Role of the Crew Chief Jan/Feb 2002 The Flight Mar/Apr 2002 Yes Sir, Mr. Director, Sir! May/Jun 2002 Planning a Multi-Task Flight Jul/Aug 2002 R-E-S-P-E-C-T Sep/Oct 2002 The Art of Baggie Toss Nov/Dec 2002 The Key Grab Jan/Feb 2003 Competition Q & A

CHALLENGECHALLENGE I would challenge each of I would challenge each of

you to fly each flight like it you to fly each flight like it was a competition, to was a competition, to become more involved in become more involved in organized competition to organized competition to improve your pilot skills improve your pilot skills and decision making, and and decision making, and to gain an additional edge to gain an additional edge on flying safelyon flying safely

QUESTIONS

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?