BFA Meeting with FAA 08/12/16

[hotairballoonist]

Dear BFA members,

 

On Friday August 12 several BFA members were invited to participate in a meeting in Washington, D.C. led by John Duncan, FAA Director of Flight Service Standards.

Director Duncan indicated his team wished to learn more about the sport of ballooning and particularly commercial ride operations. The BFA members participated in an open discussion regarding how the sport works.

 

Prior to the meeting the Guidelines for Operations approved by the BFA's Professional Ride Operators division (PRO) had been submitted to the FAA. Director Duncan was particularly impressed with the guidelines and best practices policies required by PRO members, and a long discussion on how to share these practices with others was held.

 

The BFA committed to continue our cooperation with the FAA to help keep our sport safe. We have agreed to form a focus team to continue our work together.

 

The focus team will develop a "Call to Action Plan" in the coming weeks which may include :

 

- Possible recognition program for safe operators
- Working with FAA's FAAST teams to promote the PRO guidelines.
- Help with a public relations campaign to better educate the consumers
- Get balloon insurance companies involved in the process.

 

 

Many of you have sent suggestions and ideas to us last week. I will share that information with the focus team. There were some great ideas and concerns that were provided.

Director Duncan indicated he was impressed with what he had learned about the BFA's dedication to safety. He was pleased we are willing to work together in a spirit of cooperation.

As we progress through this process, we will continue to keep you informed through email, the Quick Release, and the Ballooning Journal

 

Sincerely,

Dean Carlton, President
Balloon Federation of America

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