Balloon Federation of America

Membership at BFA.net includes: the organization's magazine "Ballooning;" achievement recognition for pilots, crew, and observers; flight instructor program; balloon education via on-line video library for pilot and Crew training; and on-line safety seminars.

Optional membership benefits include: youth programs; balloon regional, national, and world competitions; Professional Ride Operators (PRO) Division; gas balloon competitions including the America's Challenge and Gordon Bennett Cup; and a legal services plan.

Fairbanks was not drafted for WWII so while the Cleveland members went to war he inherited all the CBC's balloons and equipment.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) designated the BCA as the official US representatives to enter European balloon races thereby qualifying the BCA for free air travel on the Military Air Transport Service (MATS).

MATS eventually required benefits to be granted only to national associations, thus the Akron balloon group was invited to join the BCA.

[4] In 1960, five years of study and development by a group of General Mills employees, including Ed Yost, produced the modern hot air balloon.

A delegation represented by NE Philadelphia FAA tower controller Pete Pellegrino, Iowa lawyer/balloonist Don Kersten, and veteran balloonist Ed Yost, traveled to Washington D.C. seeking government recognition for the BCA.

[11] The museum has hosted a nine day long festival, titled the National Balloon Classic, yearly in late July since 1989.

[15] Raven Industries developed the first modern hot air balloon in 1960-1961 and being a new aircraft, no specific FAA requirements existed.

Around 1964 the FAA introduced the balloon category with no requirements until 1974 with 14 CFR Part 61 guidance for Private and Commercial pilot certificates.