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.
Links and Download items for organizers
Safety Seminar Guidelines (pdf)