• NEL
• awards
• Eligibility

With the close of the 2018 competition season, the BFA HACD Board would like to congratulate this year's NEL award winners.

Thanks to the continued generousity of a member donation, $4,675 was awarded for the following positions:

Pilots are invited to participate in the 2019 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The Balloon Federation of America has licensed the Old West Balloon Fest as the organizer for the 2019- 2021 championships. A prize fund of $20,000 is guaranteed along with a $200 travel stipend to be paid in cash or gift/gas cards. The competitive event officially starts with on-site pilot registration and the mandatory General Briefing on Sunday, August 11, 2019. The organizer and HACD are offering support for two formal training flights to introduce the use of the FAI logger that will be used in this year’s competition - Saturday and Sunday, August 10-11. The last competitive flight is scheduled for Saturday morning followed by a mandatory evening glow that will be the final flight operation of the Championship. The closing ceremony, awards and brunch is scheduled for Sunday morning August 18,2019 allowing all participants to hit the road early for the return home.

Click HERE to download the full letter and invitation.

• National Championship,
• Scottsbluff,
• Invitation order

With the finalization of the 2018 National Eligibility List, the HACD Board has prepared the invitation order for the 2019 US National Championship to be held in Scottsbluff, Nebraska August 11-18th.

The invitation order is etablished via Appendix E of the 2018 HACD Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures.

Click HERE to view the Invitation Order List

2020 US Women’s National Championship Invitation

It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the 2020 US Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Brookfield, Missouri. The Balloon Federation of America has licensed Green Hills Ballooning Inc. as the organizer. The competitive event officially starts with on-site pilot registration and the mandatory General Briefing on Thursday, September 3. The last competitive flight is scheduled for Monday morning September 7. This flight will be followed by the closing ceremonies and a brunch later that same morning.

The organizer is providing a complimentary hotel room for pilots with check-in starting Thursday, September 3 and check out Monday, September 7.  Pilots wishing to arrive early may do so at their own expense, and may reserve space once acceptance has been confirmed and hotel information is provided. Once you have been accepted in the Championship you will be sent an acceptance confirmation along with your hotel contact information. Propane will be available on the mornings of September 2-3 for pilots arriving early and wishing to fly practice flights. Pilots will be charged a flat fee of $40 for each fill on these dates. Arrive full; leave full. A tentative schedule of events is enclosed.

The Championship is open to qualifying US BFA/HACD member pilots who are in good standing. The event is an “Open Championship” and does not require qualification through the NEL system. Pilots registering are expected to remain and participate for the entire duration of the event as required by the HACD Code of Conduct explained in Appendix A and E Section VI.

Click HERE to access the full details and application form.