Here is where other competitors will post information about various competitions and competition activity.

Women's Worlds Blog

Welcome to the Gas Division

The gas division welcomes members of the BFA who are interested in gas ballooning. Join the division to today to access information about gas ballooning in the members only area. This area has announcements, a newsletter and technical archive for those interested in learning more about gas balloons used for Lighter Than Air Flights.

Any suggestions for this area should be sent to Brian Critelli: gasballooning@gmail.com

What is the Gas Division and why should I join?

The BFA Gas Division is a growing segment of the Balloon Federation of America. It is made up of pilots and crew members interested keeping the oldest part of our sport relevant and growing. Flying a gas balloon is complex, challenging, and extreme. It provides a significantly different perspective on lighter than air sports.

It forces pilots to deal with issues that are much easier to control or avoid when flying a hot air balloon. You will experience longer flights, must deal with weather, airspace and interact with air traffic control. Gas balloons fly differently and perform well in high winds and difficult weather. It provide pilots and crews a great learning opportunity typically not experienced when flying hot air balloons.

You can join the gas division for $10.00 per year as an associate member. Voting members must hold a free balloon rating and they are charged $25.00 per year.

The gas division produces its own newsletter for the membership as a part of your dues. We invite everyone who has an interest to join the group. 

Click to join the GAS division

What is it like to fly in a gas balloon?  These articles will share some of the fun of gas ballooning.

Welcome to the Official Notice Board for the 2018 BFA US National Championship!

Click to read the State and Regional Competition results.

Here are the archived results from the US Nationals competitions.

Pibal

Readings

Task

Sheets

Task

Sheets

Scores

Waterford

Women's

Scores

Welcome to the Women's Official Notice Board for the 2019 BFA US Women's National Championship!

Members of the Balloon Federation of America receive the bi-monthly publication BALLOONING: Journal of the Balloon Federation of America

BALLOONING is 56 pages of fun-filled news, interviews, features, personality profiles, how-tos, technical tips, new products, book reviews and much, much more. Delivered in eye-popping full color each issue will take you around the world to the most exciting ballooning events, big or small. If it's lighter-than-air, it's in BALLOONING!

BALLOONING gladly accepts contributions, both editorial and photographic, from freelancers. For more information on how to submit materials see "Hot to Get Published.

Advertisers will find current ad rates and specifications at "Advertise in BALLOONING."

For more information please contact BFA Publications Editor Glen Moyer .

BFA Publications

Bluebird Hill Airport

2585 Barron Road

Keithville, LA 71047

318-545-5055

Providing educational opportunities for our members is a key directive of the Balloon Federation of America. This section of the website includes on-line video seminars, articles about crew and ground safety, and information on pilot and crew achievement programs.

Many of the videos and sessions are only viewable by current members who have logged onto the site. Be sure to click on the LOG IN in the upper right if the education areas you are looking for do not show below.

The Balloon Federation of America produces a bi-monthly publication, 

BALLOONING: Journal of the Balloon Federation of America.

BALLOONING is 56 pages of fun-filled news, interviews, features, personality

profiles, how-tos, technical tips, new products, book reviews and much,

much more. Delivered in eye-popping full color, each issue will take you

around the world to the most exciting ballooning events, big or small.

If it's lighter-than-air, it's in BALLOONING!

All members can view the magazine online, or can add home delivery to their

membership to receive the printed version.

Click the photo on the right to view a sample magazine!!!

For more information please email BFA Publications Editor Glen Moyer or write:

BFA Publications 
Bluebird Hill Airport 
2585 Barron Road 
Keithville, LA 71047 
PH: 318-925-4908

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Our Corporate Members provide extra support for the Balloon Federation of America. We appreciate their contributions and encourgage our members to support these businesses.

Choose an event list from below:

 {Dean will fix these}

All Events

Competition Events

Balloon Festivals

HACD NEL Approved Competitions

Competitons by region perhaps

Giving to the Balloon Federation of America

From an Annual Fund gift to a bequest, there are many ways to make a gift to the Balloon Federation of America that best fits your individual circumstances. Some planned gifts can provide income for life to the beneficiary you name, and some allow you to unlock the income potential from a low-yielding asset. Most planned gifts receive favorable tax treatment, and all give you the satisfaction of investing in the Balloon Federation of America’s future.

Basic categories of gifts to the Balloon Federation of America

- Cash

Cash gifts, the easiest way to give, offer a tax deduction for the full amount of the gift in the year it is made. We thank you in advance for sending your gift of cash or check, made payable to the Balloon Federation of America, to:

Balloon Federation of America
PO Box 400
Indianola Iowa  50125
515-961-8809

- Credit Card

Credit card gifts have become a quick and easy way to give. The Balloon Federation of America accepts American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover. If you would like to make a gift with your credit card, please call the Office at 515-961-8809.

- Matching Gifts

You can double or triple the impact of your gift to the Balloon Federation of America. More than 15,000 companies sponsor matching gift programs to support education for employees and their families. Many companies will also match the contributions of their retired employees and spouses of employees. 

Find out if your employer has a matching gift program. 

- Recurring Gift Program

A recurring gift is an ongoing, specific gift amount determined by a donor that is charged monthly to a donor's credit card. Your recurring gifts will be a dependable source of support that the Balloon Federation of America can count on throughout the year.

- IRA Charitable Rollover

The IRA Charitable Rollover Provision allows individuals who have reached 70 ½ to donate up to $100,000 to charitable organizations directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), without treating the distribution as taxable income. This provision had expired on January 1, 2015, but was reinstated and made permanent.

- Tribute and Memorial Gifts

In moments of joy, celebration, sadness or gratitude, we often look for ways to honor or remember a special person in our lives. The Balloon Federation of America welcomes gifts made in tribute or memory of individuals whether that person is a family member or friend.

A tribute or memorial gift can be made in honor of your special person at any time and in any amount.

- Appreciated Securities

Giving appreciated securities is a convenient way to support the Balloon Federation of America while gaining tax advantages. You will receive an income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock on the date of the gift, provided you have owned the securities for more than 12 months. Most donors avoid liability for capital gains tax otherwise due on the sale of securities.

How to Give Securities

When the security is held by your broker or commercial banker:
Notify your broker that you want to give securities to the Balloon Federation of America and send a letter to the broker and the Balloon Federation of America Office, and also include the amount of shares, the name(s) of the stock(s), and state your intention for the gift. In the letter, direct your broker to transfer your gift into the BFA’s account.

When the security is in your name and in your possession:

1. You must obtain the stock/bond power from your broker or banker.
2. You must also obtain a Release form.
3. Sign the stock/bond power and the Release form and have your signature notarized. Sign exactly as your name appears on the stock certificate. If the security is jointly owned, both owners must sign the stock/bond power.
4. Mail the signed stock power and Release forms in a separate envelope to the BFA Office along with a copy of your letter of transmittal.
5. Mail unendorsed certificates by first class or registered mail with a letter of transmittal to the Balloon Federation of America.
6. If the certificates are already endorsed, send them by insured mail or deliver them in person to the Balloon Federation of America Office.

Valuation of Your Securities

The gift value of securities is the mean of the high and low prices on the date that the securities are transferred by your broker and received in Balloon Federation’s account or hand delivered or mailed (date of the later postmark if not the same) in negotiable form to the BFA.

The ceiling on deductibility of your gift of appreciated securities is 30 percent of gross income. However, usually you may carry forward any excess as a deduction for as many as five years. Please consult your attorney or accountant for further information.

Benefits of a Gift of Long-Term Appreciated SecuritiesExample

Short-term Appreciation

It is usually inadvisable to make a charitable gift of appreciated securities when your capital gain is short term (e.g., you have owned the securities 12 months or less). Such a gift is deductible only on the amount of its cost basis, not its market value.

Depreciated Securities

In general, it is not advisable to donate securities that are currently worth less than you paid for them. If the sale of stocks or bonds would result in a tax-deductible loss, it is usually to your advantage to sell them to establish a tax loss and then donate the proceeds to the BFA.

Closely Held Stock

Making a gift to the Balloon Federation of America of closely held or restricted stock may allow you to gain immediate cash benefits through tax savings. Because closely held or restricted stock requires special handling please contact an attorney or tax advisor.

Gifts of Property

Real Estate

Real estate can be contributed outright or through a life-income gift. You can contribute the entire interest in your property or a fraction of the interest. You can even contribute your personal residence, but continue to reside there for the rest of your life. This gift of a future interest in your home lets you continue to enjoy your home without diminishing your standard of living and while obtaining a substantial current income tax charitable deduction.

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results