Message From The President
(At the beginning of the year, as is our custom, ANN
published a number of stories where alphabet groups (AOPA, EAA,
etc.) looked back on the year that was and ahead to the year at
hand. In the process of doing so, we got word that, in perusing the
usual suspects, we might have overlooked some of the smaller -- but
no less important -- groups. Take, for instance, the Balloon
Federation of America. Without further ado, then, here is a message
from BFA President Philip Bryant. If your aviation or aerospace
group needs to get the word out, ANN makes the perfect venue for
mass distribution. Please get in touch with us to find out how you,
too, can spread the good news about your organization. Drop us a
line at editor@aero-news.net
. We'll be in touch! -- ed.)
By Philip Bryant, President, Balloon Federation of America
The BFA has had the task of digging
itself out of a very difficult period. when a few years ago a
number of our competitive balloon pilots decided to branch off and
form their own balloon organization.
This action was very destructive to the balloon community, but
we have survived it and are today having discussions with this same
group on forming some type of alliance. So the sport is on the mend
again.
As with many of the sports that depend on disposable income to
participate, ballooning is no exception. Our membership numbers
have been declining. We have seen some up-ticks in the membership
which is encouraging but we do not see a significant change either
way in the near future. The task is to become more productive and
efficient with what we have and we are succeeding at this.
We performed an internal analysis of our organization two years
ago and are still in the process of implementing these recommended
changes. We continue to produce a successful National Championship
as the BFA is the organization sanctioned and recognized by the NAA
as the official ballooning organization for all US pilots.
Our balloon publication continues to be world class. It is the
favored magazine of all balloonists and I am sure counts for the
majority of members today. We have created a very strong Junior
Balloonists organization during this past year as we believe our
future pilots and membership needs to be grown and cultured for the
sake of the sport and a brighter future.
Our strength depends on volunteers and champions who step up to
the plate and hit home runs for us. There are a number of very
dedicated and hard working volunteers that without we would not be
able to provide the number of services and programs that we
do.