Mobility Sponsorship
Jan. 2015
Overview
WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest: The right stuff…
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Dedicated to rallying community
spirit…
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Honoring war heroes and veteran
appreciation
Classroom and at-risk education
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Interactive S.T.E.M. workshops, weather &
history modules available
30+ pilots and teams from 15 states
Family-friendly event with broad
demographic appeal
Easy access for day travelers and those
seeking a "non-beach" experience
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Overview
WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest: The right stuff…
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The same balloonmeister as Albuquerque
International Balloon Fiesta
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A balloonmeister is the “flight director”
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manages the safety and competition staff, works
with the FAA, manages the balloon competition
and exhibition, and coordinates pilot activities
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Numerous ways to leverage event
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Long weekend offers flexibility to conduct
flight, tether, and glow operations
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Community development, sales, networking and
branding opportunities
Delivers on value proposition for attendees and
sponsors
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Overview
WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest: The right stuff…
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Volunteer Programs
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Charitable Beneficiary Opportunities
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Individual volunteers for core logistical and
crew specific activities
Organizer offers fundraising space for
recognized 501(c)3 charities
Committed to local charities
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A portion of net proceeds will be given to:
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Charities with local human service impact
Armed service families in need or recovery
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Overview
A Title Sponsor committed to the success of the
festival offering significant media exposure to…
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Build large scale consumer awareness
Drive traffic in support of other
sponsors
Activation well before event:
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TV Spots, News, Weather & Features
Radio Spots, Consumer Contests, Promos
& Interviews
Web & Social
Durham Bulls and other pre-festival
activation
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Two Locations – One Festival
Competition Site: Bennett Bunn Plantation, Zebulon
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Mass Ascension & Balloon Glow
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Championship Competition Flights
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Saturday, Sunday & Monday Morning
Public, Sponsored Tethered Balloon
Rides & Balloon Glow
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Friday Night
Saturday & Sunday afternoon/evening
Family friendly picnic, play and
programming each day
VIP Hospitality and VIP On-site Parking
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Two Locations – One Festival
Park Site: Spring Forest Road Park, Raleigh
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Tethered Balloon Rides For Special
Populations
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Public, Sponsored Tethered Rides, &
Balloon Glow
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Thursday & Friday Morning
Saturday & Sunday afternoon/evening
Family friendly picnic, play and
programming each day
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Event Projections
Projected attendance greater than 34,000+
spectators over the 3-1/2 day event schedule
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35% Wake County
50% day travelers within 50 miles of event sites
10-15% will travel greater than 100 miles to attend
15% of guests will spend at least one hotel room night
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Research & Data
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Family-Friendly & Female Driven
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63% of all adults are accompanied by
children*
69% are likely to be women**
Balloon festival attendees are likely more
affluent
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Nearly 45% HHI > $80K
26% HHI from $50-79K
Largest potential audience segment likely
between age 30-49
*The International Council of Air Shows Study, 2010. **Audience Research & Economic Impact of Albuquerque International a Balloon Fiesta,
2009. Economic and attendance estimates based upon an extrapolation of measured impact reported by CBF 2013, AIBF 2009 and GCBF 2014.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Research & Data
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Sponsor Awareness, Appreciation & Likelihood to
Purchase is High
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57% of balloon festival guests recall three or more sponsors
(unaided)**
92% of respondents indicated having a positive attitude
toward sponsors due to association with the event**
63% of attendees indicate they are more likely to purchase
form sponsors because of their association with the event**
*The International Council of Air Shows Study, 2010. **Audience Research & Economic Impact of Albuquerque International a Balloon Fiesta,
2009. Economic and attendance estimates based upon an extrapolation of measured impact reported by CBF 2013, AIBF 2009 and GCBF 2014.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor: Objective
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Make the magic of hot air
ballooning more accessible to
those with mobility challenges
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Military veterans
Elderly
Children
Festival to commission a custom, purpose-built
basket designed to offer mobility challenged
populations easier access to enjoy a bucket list
experience – a ride aboard a hot air balloon
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – Pre-Festival
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Launch Event:
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Festival will develop a launch event to showcase sponsor
involvement and generate consumer awareness/support
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Requesting coverage from WRAL-TV/WRAZ news
Interviews with key sponsor spokesperson(s) along with festival
organizers.
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Organizers will work to have representation from beneficiary mobility
group(s) present for interviews
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Cannot guarantee coverage however, very likely
Radio “Raid”
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Organizers will request interview airtime on Title Sponsor radio stations’
morning or high traffic programming to promote sponsor/festival
partnership
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WRAL FM "Mix 101.5", WCMC FM "99.9 The Fan", and 850 The Buzz
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Multiple sponsor brand references as available during promotional interviews
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – Pre-Festival
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Pre-Festival Promotional Appearances
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Basket will be used for pre-festival promotional appearances* (as
available; weather permitting)
Examples might include:
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Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Durham Bulls post-game mini-glow, ACC
Baseball Tournament post-game mini-glow at DBAP
On-base appearances at Fort Bragg or Camp Lejeune
*Assumes production of basket completed in time for pre-festival appearances.
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Verbal recognition as Mobility Balloon Sponsor during speaking
engagements, social media, interviews and appearances with
news media (as appropriate)
Logo Placement on Chase Vehicle
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Sponsor will receive prominent logo position on the balloon
support vehicle
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Size, location and execution based upon space availability
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – Pre-Festival
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Recognition on WRAL Out&About Festival Page
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Prominent Logo Positioning
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Logo link-back to sponsor's own landing page
Space for, or link to, video content from at least one supporting
sponsor activation event (possible news story)
Recognition on WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Sponsor Page
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Prominent Logo Positioning
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Logo link-back to sponsor's own landing page
Space for, or link to, video content from at least one supporting
sponsor activation event (possible news story)
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – Pre-Festival
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Pre-Festival Mobility Tethered Balloon Events at
Spring Forest Road Park
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Scheduled the morning of Thursday, May 21 and Friday,
May 22
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Festival will request live news broadcast during these
tethered events as final pre-festival “push”
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Thursday morning rain plan is to push to Thursday afternoon
Coverage is not guaranteed, however, it is likely
Sponsor will receive recognition during such broadcast and
possible interviews during the event
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – During Festival
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On Site Signage
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Presenting Sponsor logo included on event branded signage
throughout both venues
Two additional premium banner positions at both venues
(entrances and/or stage positions)
Logo on competition number banner
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Displayed on each participating basket (may exclude certain
participating corporate balloons)
On Site Hospitality
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The Lodge at Bennett Bunn Plantation
20 VIP Hospitality & 2 Parking Passes
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – During Festival
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On Site Display – Promotional or Product Sampling
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Mobility Sponsor will have access at both locations for
branded tent, interactive display or product demonstrations
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Display space at Bennett Bunn Plantation is equal to approximately
10’x20’
Display space at Spring Forest Road Park approximately 10’x20’
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(Saturday & Sunday afternoon/evening only)
Sponsor to provide tent(s), display vehicle, staff, content and materials.
Distribution of certain materials which may become a waste disposal issue
(ex. paper fliers or certain types of coupons) is not permitted.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Benefits – During Festival
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Balloon Team Sponsorship
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Event will assign one of the participating balloons to represent
Presenting Sponsor during the festival*
Includes…
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Basket Banner dedicated to one of the participating balloon teams
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In addition to competition number banner carried by all balloons
Choice of either:
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Competition or Mass Ascension Flight Experience for two people
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Includes souvenir certificate, merchandise and traditional post-flight toast
Private Balloon Tether Party for 50
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Invite up to 50 guests to join you with your own tethered balloon event during the
Saturday and Sunday night tether-glow events at Bennett Bunn Plantation (private
catering not included)
*Note: It is possible the sponsor will not be assigned the balloon using the mobility friendly basket.
If sponsor has an existing corporate balloon program, entry fee waived for sponsor balloon and
festival will add six (6) additional hospitality passes to Presenting Sponsor Package.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor – Beyond The Festival
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Additional Tether Appearances Targeting Mobility
Challenged Populations
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Target audiences include:
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Year 1
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Wounded Warrior Groups, Veterans Affairs, families of returning
military with mobility challenges and similar groups
Senior populations
Children’s camps – Victory Junction, Camp Sunshine
Minimum of 5 additional branded special tether events*
Year 2 & 3
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Additional branded special tether events designed each year at
a discounted rate to cover costs.
*Note: Organizer will make best efforts to schedule events with outside entities but cannot control scheduling
or availability. Wind/weather/weight restrictions may affect number of tethered events.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Summary
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Business Category Exclusivity
Year-Round Program with Multi-Year Agreement
Recognition via News, Radio Promotions & Special Events
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News coverage not guaranteed
Logo + Link from Dedicated WRAL.com Out&About page
Logo and Recognition on Event’s Web and Social Media
On Site Hospitality & VIP parking
Balloon Team Sponsorship, Basket Banner & Balloon Trading
Card
On Site Display Space and Banners
Choice of Competition/Mass Ascention Flight for Two or VIP
Tether Party for Up to 50 Guests
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Mobility Sponsor Investment
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Year 1 - $36,000
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Goes directly to production, import and shipping of basket
Year 2 & 3 – (opportunity to maintain sponsorship, or
additional events available at a reduced rate.)
Investment includes:
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Branded apparel for support crew, banner production for basket and
event venues
FAA annual inspection fees, insurance, and required additional insured
certificates
No additional charge for mileage or transportation for events within 50
mile radius of Raleigh; mileage after first 50 miles is charged at $.50/mile
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Note: There will be no mileage charge for events in North Carolina specifically
targeted to support injured veteran programs with mobility concerns
Any required overnight stays will be billed at a per diem rate $183 per night for
pilot and per crew member (minimum 2 crew for most events unless sufficient
volunteer crew are made available)
www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Thank you!
Brian Hoyle
Brian@freedomballoonfest.com
919.272.3435
©2014-2015 Hot Air Marketing, LLC. The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest is an exclusive production of Hot Air Marketing, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. The WRAL logo, WRAL name and names of its parent or other subsidiaries used by permission.
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Appendix
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www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com
Tentative Event Schedule
Date
Time
Event
Location
Thursday, May 21
7:00am-9:30am
Media & Promotional Flights and Special Needs Communities Tethered Balloons
Spring Forest Road Park
(SFRP)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Media & Promotional Flights
Wake County
6:30am-9:00am
Media & Promotional Flights and Special Needs Communities Tethered Balloons
SFRP
3:00
Venue Opens for Kids Play - Family Fun
Bennett Bunn Plantation
(BBP)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Mass Ascension Championship Flight #1; VIP Flights; General Consumer & VIP Tethered Balloons
BBP
6:30am-9:00am
Championship Flight #2
BBP
2:30
Venue Opens for Kids Play - Family Fun
BBP & SFRP
4:00pm-5:45pm
Pilot/Sponsor/Media Social-Meet & Greet
BBP & SFRP
6:30pm-8:00pm
Public & Sponsor/VIP Tethered Balloon Rides
BBP & SFRP
8:15pm-9:15pm
Balloon Glow
BBP & SFRP
6:30am-9:00am
Championship Flight #3
BBP
2:30
Venue Opens for Kids Play - Family Fun
BBP & SFRP
4:00pm-5:45pm
Pilot/Sponsor Social
BBP & SFRP
6:30pm-8:00pm
Public & Sponsor/VIP Tethered Balloon Rides
BBP & SFRP
8:15pm-9:15pm
Balloon Glow
BBP & SFRP
6:30am-9:00am
Championship Flight #4
BBP
10:30am-12:00pm
Pilot Brunch & Ceremony
BBP
Friday, May 22
Saturday, May 23
Sunday, May 24
Monday, May 25
All times, scheduled activities and locations are tentative as permitted by weather conditions.
A Primer On Competition Flying
About Balloon Competition
Balloon races are popular throughout the world, especially during summer months. So, "How do balloons race?" In
fact, racing may not be the best choice of words when talking about balloon competitions because balloons don't
race in the normal sense of the word. It isn't a "first across the finish line" endeavor.
In their simplest form, balloon competitions score how close a pilot can get to a pre-determined target. Small
weighted markers are dropped at the target. The challenge is to be the closest to the target, but unlike all other
forms of flying, balloon pilots do not have direct horizontal control of their direction of flight. The balloon simply
moves with the wind. So, much effort is focused on selection of a proper launch site and winds aloft.
Pilots can control their vertical position, and thereby, ascend or descend to an altitude where winds will steer the
aircraft left or right to an intended target or landing site.
Competition pilots have become quite skilled in reading the winds aloft and using the winds to their advantage to
get where they want to be (the target). Competitors have gotten so skilled that the difference between first place
and third or fourth can be fractions of an inch.
With the evolution of GPS technology, competition directors - known as balloonmeisters - have developed
extremely complicated tasks for pilots to accomplish, and many pilots lose points for rules violations even though
they flew quite well.
The following pages offer a sampling of some of the tasks competitors may be assigned to fly. The first four are
fairly simple competitions that are very popular at festivals that offer light, entertaining competition. The others
illustrate the complexity of tasks that occur during heavy competition like world or national championships.
A Primer On Competition Flying
Types of Competition Tasks
The following is a sample of common tasks used during competition events. Often many of these tasks are
combined in a certain order during a single flight to hone and test the skills of the participating pilots.
Hare and Hound - All the balloons launch from the same site, usually a festival competition site. One balloon
takes off first and is the "hare" balloon. The other balloons are called the "hounds." The hounds will launch a
predetermined time after the hare. The hare lands at a suitable site and lays out a large fabric X, usually about
50 feet in diameter. The hound balloons attempt to drop their markers as close to the center of the X as
possible. The closest marker achieves the highest score.
Convergent Navigational Task (CNT) - The target X is placed in a secure area, usually the festival site. The
balloons can launch anywhere they want as long as they are outside of a predetermined radius from the X,
usually 1, 2, or 3 miles. Pilots fly in, drop their markers at the X, and scoring is based on the distance from the
center of the X.
Watership Down - This is a two-part task that combines a CNT with a Hare and Hound. Competitors take off
outside of a predetermined radius of the first target (usually at the festival site) and drop their first marker. The
hare balloon launches from the first X and the hound balloons continue on to drop their second marker at the X
set down by the hare.
A Primer On Competition Flying
Key Grab - A Key grab is nearly identical to a CNT, but instead of an X at the target, a pole 10 or 20 feet high is
the target. A detachable ring is fastened to the top of the pole. The first pilot who removes the ring wins the
prize. Prizes can be almost anything; new cars, cash, and even new balloons have been given away. With
multiple variations, a key grab task is often sponsored by a brand or local business, and is a crowd favorite.
Minimum Distance Double Drop - The judges define two scoring areas. The task is to drop one marker in each
scoring area, with the shortest distance between the two markers achieving the highest score.
ELBO - Pilots take off from a common launch point (point A) and fly to a judge declared goal (point B). One
marker is dropped at point B. The pilot then tries to change the direction of flight and drop a second marker at a
point (point C) that will result in the smallest angle between point A and point C.
Multiple Pilot Declared Goal - The competition director will assign pilots to drop markers at multiple targets of
their choice. Targets are usually road intersections or road - railroad intersections. Sounds easy, but the targets
must be identified by their map coordinates. The first target's coordinates must be declared before launch, the
coordinates for the second target must be written on the tail of the marker dropped at the first target, and so
on.
Glossary
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Accident. An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any
person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, and in which
any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. See also
"incident."
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Aircraft. A device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air. Hot air balloons are federally
licensed and inspected aircraft.
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Annual inspection. A maintenance term, which states that “no person may operate an aircraft unless, within
the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had—(1) an annual inspection...and has been approved for return
to service...” Some more regular inspections may be required given the hours of operation within a given
timeframe.
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Basket. That portion of a hot air balloon that carries the pilot, passengers, cargo, fuel, and instruments.
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Balloonmeister. A title associated with balloon festivals and competitions. Typically, this person is responsible
for the organization and designation of certain tasks pilots will perform during a given flight. The
balloonmeister is responsible for filing NOTAM's, FAA waiver documents for a festival, and can make group
"fly/no fly" rulings related flight operations on behalf of the festival/event.
Glossary
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Balloon Federation of America (BFA). A national association for balloon pilots and enthusiasts in
the United States. The BFA is the sanctioning body for balloon competitions.
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Controlled airspace. Airspace designated by the FAA as Class A, B, C, D, or E within which air traffic
control (ATC) service is provided to some or all aircraft. Balloons can operate in all airspace (given
appropriate authorization and communication with ATC (if any).
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Crew chief. A crew-member who is assigned the responsibility of organizing and directing other
crew-members. Most balloon teams have an assigned crew chief.
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Envelope. Fabric portion of a balloon that contains hot air or gas.
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The federal agency responsible to promote aviation safety
through regulation and education. The FAA has authority over all airspace within the United
States.
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Flight review. Required for all certificated pilots every 24 months in order to retain pilot in
command privileges.
Glossary
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Ground crew. Persons who assist in the assembly, inflation, chase, and recovery of a
balloon. Festivals organizers often enlist and train volunteer ground crew to assist out-oftown balloon pilots (often for their knowledge of local roads as well).
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Heater. Propane-fueled device to heat air inside the envelope of a balloon, often referred
to as a burner.
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Incident. An occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an
aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations.
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Instrument. A device using an internal mechanism to show visually or aurally the attitude,
altitude, or operation of an aircraft or aircraft part. There are only two instruments
required in a hot air balloon: vertical speed indicator (VSI) and altimeter.
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Log. A record of activities: flight, instruction, inspection, and maintenance. Balloon pilots
log their time in flight and aircraft use time.
Glossary
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Mooring. Operation of an unmanned balloon secured to the ground by lines or controlled by anything
touching the ground. See "tethering."
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Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). A notice containing information concerning facilities, services, or
procedures, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
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Pibal. Pilot balloon; a small helium-filled balloon sent aloft to help determine wind direction, velocity,
and stability.
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Pilot in Command (PIC). The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight.
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Preflight. All preparations, including gathering information, assembly, and inspection performed by
the pilot before flight.
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Propane. A colorless and odorless gas. Hot air balloons burn this gas in a controlled manner to provide
buoyancy or lift. Balloon pilots are specially trained and federally certificated to refuel and transport
propane.
Glossary
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Repair station. A facility where specified aircraft and their parts may be inspected, repaired,
altered, modified, or maintained. Approval is issued to a facility upon qualifications specified by
the FAA.
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Tethering. Operation of a manned balloon secured to the ground by a series of lines.
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Thermal. A column of rising air associated with adjacent areas of differing temperature.
Thermal activity caused by the sun’s heating usually starts 2 to 3 hours after sunrise.
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Type certification. Official recognition that the design and operating limitations of an aircraft,
engine, or propeller meet the airworthiness standards prescribed by the Federal Aviation
Regulations for that particular category or type of aircraft, engine, or propeller.
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Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Flight rules governing aircraft flight when the pilot has visual
reference to the ground at all times. Balloons are only authorized to fly when VFR conditions
exist within the area of intended flight operations.