Dean and Ryan Carlton have developed a crew training website. For those crew members just starting out, or wanting to enhance their skills, check out this site.

Link To Crew Training

Flying safely is a top priority of the BFA. The BFA Continuing Education Program provides standards for hot air balloon seminars and conferences. Each event is to have a minimum of seven hours of class time and must cover pertinent subjects that are pre-approved by the BFA Continuing Education Sanction Manager. Those sessions include weather, pilot decision making, accidents, ground and crew training, and much more.

When complete, the organizers provide registration information to the Sanction Manager, who reviews the data and then sends confirmation notices to the listed balloon insurance companies. The insurers highly encourage annual safety training, and may provide insurance discounts to attendees.

Many ballooning clubs sponsor such training courses, usually during the winter or spring months. See the EVENTS tab to find a session in your area.

The BFA encourages seminar organizers also submit their registrants' information to the FAA's WINGS program. 

Seminar Organizers

For those organizations interested in hosting continuing education seminar, contact  Bill Broker, Continuing Education Sanction Manager. All BFA-sanctioned seminars must be pre-approved, and a $100 sanction fee is required in advance (2020 change).

PLEASE ATTACH ALL FORMS IN AN EMAIL TO BILL BROKER. 

Please send all PAYMENTS for Safety Seminars to the BFA Office, PO Box 400, Indianola, IA 50125.

Contact Bill Broker

Links and Download items for organizers

Safety Seminar Guidelines (pdf)

Application Packet

FAA's WINGS Program

Web-Based Practice Tests

As part of the training for a pilot certificate, it is always helpful if students study and use a practice test site. Here are a couple sites that have been useful for students.

• http://www.mywrittenexam.com/
• http://www.exams4pilots.org/

The Crew Achievement Award Program was in part designed to increase recognition of the often-unsung heroes of our sport - the dedicated crew.

Formally recognizing crew members and involving them in this program will mean crews will be more knowledgeable and enthused about ballooning  - which will ultimately mean safer flights.

{insert more here}