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Shields-Trauger Award Nominations for 2021 are due by August 15, 2021

The Shields-Trauger Award is the highest special award given by the Balloon Federation of America and second only to entrance in the Hall of Fame.  This award does not have to be awarded annually, however up to three (3) Shields-Trauger awards may be made in the same year.  BFA Shields-Trauger Award is for an active member of the BFA for special contribution to Aerostatics including:

• Notable flight
• Significant contribution(s) to the technology or science of ballooning
• Important long-standing contributions to safety in ballooning
• Exemplary long-term service to the BFA

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In the summer of 1943, Birmingham, Alabama businessman, Frank G. Brewer, established a foundation in honor of his two sons who were serving in World War II. One served as a lead radio operator/navigator and the other as a paratrooper. Originally called the "Junior Collier Trophy," this award soon became known simply as the Brewer Trophy.

The Frank G. Brewer Trophy is awarded annually to an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for significant contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.

Mr. Frank Brewer explained why he created the award: "Because of my two boys and the other million and a half like them that this war has put into the air, and because aviation has climbed to America's No. 1 industry and will offer the greatest opportunities to youth in the postwar days, I wanted very much to make some kind of contribution to Youth Aviation Education."

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Awards

The BFA believes in recognizing the great efforts of it's volunteers and members, and supports a number of award programs.

For questions, nominations, suggestions and contributions to the awards please contact Orvin Olivier, BFA Awards Chairman.

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Many of the award winners are Notable Balloonists as identified by the BFA Hall of Fame Committee. Click the following link to access the biographies and other information on US Hall of Fame Award recipients and other Notable Balloonists.

BFA Awards

NAA Awards

FAI/CIA Awards

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Ed Yost Master Pilot Award

The Balloon Federation of America's Ed Yost Master Pilot Award recognizes lighter than air (LTA) pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 40 or more consecutive years as active pilots.

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DESCRIPTION

The award will be in the form of a BFA award certificate to be presented to the recipient at the BFA Annual Meeting or other appropriate meeting of balloonist as suggested by the Board Member in the region that the recipient resides. Additionally the recipient's name, city and state will be published at www.bfa.net and will be included in a display at the National Balloon Museum.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

To be eligible for the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, candidates 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. Under special circumstances the Committee may recommend a candidate with less than the 40 years of LTA piloting experience for consideration by the BFA Board of Directors.
• Have been active in the sport of ballooning during most of those 40 years.
• Prior accident history will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Revocation of any airman LTA certificate will disqualify a nominee for this award.
• Prior enforcement actions (excluding revocation) are not necessarily disqualifying but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• The award may be presented to a nominee up to 2 years posthumously if the nominee has acquired 40 years of LTA piloting experience prior to passing away.

CANDIDATES FOR CONSIDERATION

To be eligible for the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, the applicant, or anyone on behalf of the applicant, must submit the following information to a member of the BFA Board of Directors, the chair of the BFA Awards Committee or the BFA Office:

• Proper documentation describing the kind of certificate(s) held by the applicant, including, if available, the original date of the pilot's LTA solo flight or original LTA flight certificate.
• A detailed description, resume, or summary of the applicant's flying history including any accident or enforcement actions involving the applicant.

PROCEDURE

Upon receipt of information for an applicant for the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, the Chair of the Awards Committee shall convene a committee consisting of three Past BFA Presidents who shall review the information submitted.  If the applicant meets the above listed criteria without a prior accident and without prior enforcement action, the committee may approve the award without further action. The BFA Board will be notified of said approval. If the applicant has had an accident or prior enforcement action the committee will submit a recommendation to the BFA Board of Directors who then shall be the final authority for approval or denial of the award.

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Balloon Federation of America Award Program

ED YOST MASTER PILOT AWARD

Applicant Information Form

APPLICANT:

Name:                       ______________________________________________________________

Address:                   ______________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP:       ______________________________________________________________

Telephone:                ______________________________________________________________

E-mail:                     ______________________________________________________________

Resume: Please provide a detailed and complete ballooning biography for the applicant that includes the candidate's history and involvement in ballooning.

Provide documentation: Provide proper documentation describing the kind of certificate(s) held by the applicant. Attach copies of documents indicating the original date of the pilot's LTA solo flight or original LTA flight certificate.

Accidents or enforcement actions: Has the applicant had an accident or Federal Aviation Administration enforcement action?   Yes___ No___   If yes, please provide details on a separate sheet.

Certification of applicant:   I hereby certify that the statements above regarding accidents or Federal Administration enforcement actions are correct and true.

Applicant:___________________________ Certificate Number:________________ Date:_______

PERSON MAKING THE SUBMISSION:

Name:                       ______________________________________________________________

Address:                   ______________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP:       ______________________________________________________________

Telephone:                ______________________________________________________________

E-mail:                     ______________________________________________________________

Return the Applicant Information Form to:    Balloon Federation of America

                                                                             PO Box 400

                                                                             Indianola, IA 50125

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