The Canadian Balloon Association is pleased to announce that there will be a Canadian Championship in 2020, organized in partnership with the Balloon Federation of America. We thank the BFA for helping to make this a reality. The CBA is looking for 10 Canadian pilots who want to compete in the Championship as detailed below. You must become a member of the CBA to compete.
The event is taking place as part of the US Nationals in Scottsbluff, Nebraska from Aug. 11-16, 2020.
More information, including the registration form, will be shared as soon as it is available.
The HACD and the event organizer, Old West Balloon Fest, have agreed to add an exciting new element to this year’s event. The US and Canada will be running their country’s National Championship simultaneously utilizing one consolidated staff. They will be scored as two separate events with an overall Champion awarded a newly designed International Champion’s Cup.
A prize fund of $20,000 is guaranteed plus a $200 travel stipend to be paid in the form of a gas card bringing the prize fund to a total of $30,000. Canadian pilots will only be eligible to receive the minimum guaranteed payout of $150 and a $200 gas card. The competitive event officially starts with on-site pilot registration and the mandatory General Briefing on Sunday, August 9.
Other Enhancements Coming
In a major improvement for 2020, the organizer has secured the Hampton Inn and Conference Center as the host hotel for all pilots, crew and event staff. All pilot briefings and associated meetings will take place at the hotel’s on-site conference center.
Several learning and skill development opportunities exist throughout the Championship including the following:
- Two full practice flights designed as learning experiences including post flight debriefings with an open forum led by event staff.
- Daily post-flight flight debriefings led by a top competitor. These session discuss an analysis of the tasks and the decisions made in the planning and execution phase of the flight.
- A BFA sanctioned safety seminar will be provided throughout the week built around 1 to 1½ hour sessions held at convenient times.
- Adam Magee, Assistant Safety Officer and organizer of the Balloon Training Academy, is developing an on-line training video to fully explain the FAA Waiver for the event. Competitors will have to pass an on-line quiz on Waiver details prior to arriving for the General Briefing.
Invitations and Application Deadline
Invitations are planned to be available by February 29 and completed applications must be received in the BFA Office on or before April 15, 2020.
Please let the CBA know if you are interested as we gauge interest.