The 2015 BFA election results are in. Welcome our new leaders!

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Dominic Padilla of Albuquerque, New Mexico was awarded the BFA's National Crew Person Award for 2015 for his 16 years as an active crew member.

Dominic was nominated by Wells Fargo Pilots Patrick Lamb, Beth Wright-Smith, Don Boyer and Ron Sanchez. They stated that Dominic is the consummate crew person, dedicated, safety-oriented and energized. He currently serves as a crew chief and crew member in an unpaid status for the Wells Fargo balloon team and also helps other professional pilots in the Albuquerque area. He participates as a crew member or crew chief for up to 75 flights and tether events per year. He began crewing when United New Mexico Bank started its hot air balloon program in 1966, transitioning to crewing for the Norwest Bank balloon team and ultimately to the Wells Fargo team.

The nomination team noted Dominic's sense of humor and positive demeanor as his greatest assets. He is always on time, ready to help, ready with a humorous comment, and instantly engages newcomers to the sport of hot air ballooning. In all the years of crewing, no one can recall an incident when Dominic was not in a positive mood. He has recruited many others to help crew for balloons, including his entire family who all serve as crew chiefs or assistants during the year. He can always be counted on to come up with “one more crew member” when running short of help. Ironically, other balloon teams are always wanting to recruit Dominic for their crew because they see his value.

Congratulations Dominic!

3 members were presented the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award at the BFA's Annual General Meeting for 40 years of safe LTA piloting experience.

The winners (shown left to right) were Tom McConnell II, Dewey Reinhard, and Jim Ahern. 

In order to qualify for this award, pilots must have 40 years of LTA piloting experience and be a citizen of the United States or a resident member of the Balloon Federation of America. The effective start date for the award is the date of the applicant’s first solo flight or date of receipt of a LTA pilot certificate, whichever occurred first. A current flight review is not required at the time of nomination. The recipient must also have been active in the sport of ballooning during most of those 40 years.

Several other pilots have achieved this level in 2015. The complete 2015 list is as follows:

TRY A LONG JUMP THIS WINTER!

The BFA's Long Jump Committee have updated the rules for the 2015-2016 Long Jump Competition!

The committee wanted to make the program more accessible for more balloonists, and to encourgage pilots and crew to increase their skill levels over the winter. Also new is an optional Team Challenge category, which allows the fun to be shared with more pilots and crewmembers.

Remember, an official "Long Jump" can be as little as 10 miles, and many balloonists travel that far often. 

Most importantly, have FUN flying in winter.

Click LONG JUMP for more detailed information.

Long Jump Committee:

Orvin Olivier - Chair
Tim Cloyd - BFA Board Liasion
Rich Jaworski - World Records Holder