“The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team.”
– Phil Jackson
“Safety Third.” I’ve heard more than a few pilots utter these words in jest. However, the overwhelming support at our 30th Annual CBA Safety Seminar, proves that our ballooning community strongly believes in safety…and we’re all better for it.
First, let me say a big “thank you” to the attendees, presenters and volunteers who made the 2020 Carolinas Balloon Association Safety Seminar a huge success! We were honored to have pilots and crew from at least 8 States (GA, MD, NC, NY, OH, SC, VA, WV) in attendance. I am grateful to be a member of a ballooning community who values safe flight and I feel sure everyone was able to gain something useful from the weekend!
After the seminar, mother nature smiled upon us, as a winding caravan of eager balloonists arrived at the home of our gracious hosts – Marc and Ursula Klinger. Nearly 20 vibrant balloons filled the skies for our first CBA Fun Fly of 2020! Anticipating the start of another great flying season, several pilots teamed up to regain their currency and some saw the crisp, cool morning as a perfect opportunity for a flight to 10,000 ft.
Jenna took to the sky with her dad, David for an impromptu surprise – her very first “mile high” flight! David recalls telling Jenna when she was officially one mile above the ground… “She looked around and said, ‘I figured it would be a lot higher than this. I thought everything would be tiny.’ We then did a terminal descent on the way back down at around 1000 ft a minute.” Jenna loves to fly and is an aspiring pilot who will be attending the Southeastern Balloon Camp this June.
As for me, I was able to fly among friends and deliver a special birthday flight for one of my most loyal and deserving crew members – my mom.
We definitely hope to see more regional CBA Fun Flys this year, so if you’re willing to help coordinate a group flight in your area, please let me know! Until then…
Soft landings,
Joseph Hurdt CBA President
BFA Youth Camps
Registration is now open!
Camp registration is now open for teens aged 13-17 with an interest in hot air ballooning! If you know a teen interested in joining us for a fun-filled week, please encourage them to register for camp as soon as possible! There are only 2 camps Nationwide and we think they’ll fill quickly.
Prior ballooning experience is NOT required, as our campers will be joining a volunteer staff of FAA certified pilots and experienced crew who will be acting as mentors and counselors!
Scholarships!
Carolinas Balloon Association has a limited number of youth scholarships available to help fund camp tuition. To apply, interested teens should have the recommendation of any CBA member and write a 1-page essay on “Why I want to attend Balloon Camp.” Final essays should be emailed to Kim McKinney at kimmac@aol.com before April 1, 2020!
