US Women's National Championship General Information

Official Notice Board
This website will serve as the Official Electronic Notice Board for the event.

​Electronic versions of The Official Notice Board, including this site, will be utilized along with the messaging system Remind. Postings of results will be sent directly to pilots via this texting service throughout the day with adherence to the stipulated rest periods. In addition, results may be posted to the BFA website (http://bfa.net) and the event website. A paper Notice Board may also be used and the location will be announced when available.

These are the places where all results, scores, replies to complaints and protests, and other official communications directly relating to the Event will be published. All information shall be signed, dated, and timed. Postings to an official web site or via Remind implies the required signature and shall display the date and time.


Eligibility and Conduct
The Championship is open to all female US citizens who are in good standing holding a BFA and HACD membership card and registered for Fiesta. Pilots registering are expected to remain and participate for the entire duration of the Championship Event as required by the HACD Code of Conduct explained in Appendix C. With the exception of family emergencies, medical situations and other obvious events outside of the pilot’s control, early departure from the event carries financial penalties and may include, regardless of NEL standing, DQ from State, Regional, National and International competition for the next year. Specifics of these regulations are contained in Appendix C and D, Section VI, and Appendix E.


Staff
Our Championship Staff has been confirmed and includes quality, experienced individuals committed to organizing and executing a first class event. Our Senior Staff includes the following:

Maury Sullivan, Canton, OH - Championship Director
Mark Trillanes, Albuquerque, NM  - Deputy Director
Brad Temeyer, Sioux Falls, SD - Meteorologist
Debby Young, Albuquerque, NM - Safety Officer
Mike Gilligan, Richardson, TX - Chief Scorer
Lynn Sullivan, Canton, OH - Deputy Scorer
Gary Britton, Slinger, WI - Jury President
Dave Bagley, Albuquerque, NM - Chief Measurer


On-site Registration
Pilot Registration for all pilots will be held Wednesday, - Friday at the Cutter Pavilion September 28-30 following the Fiesta schedule. All Fiesta pilot packs (including special Women’s Nationals pilot jacket), tickets, maps, banners, etc. will be distributed at that time. FAA staff will be present to examine pilot and balloon documents. Be sure you have a current balloon registration.


Social Events
Five (5) complimentary tickets will be provided to each pilot for themselves and crew for each of our continental breakfasts and evening socials. Socials include a welcome social following the General Briefing on Friday and an Awards Ceremony banquet on day and time to be determined.
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Airspace
All participating pilots must have on board during all flights an operative VHF radio capable of receiving and transmitting on common aviation VHF communication frequencies.
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Qualifying points for the 2016 BFA National Eligibility List will be given to all participating pilots.

If you have any questions concerning the Championship, please contact Maury Sullivan, Event Director, at (330) 323-4455. Any questions regarding the hotel, volunteer crew, etc. should be directed to Paul Petrehn, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at (505) 821-1000 or feel free to email at ppetrehn@balloonfiesta.com.
Documents that require a signature, Pilot Application and Entry Agreement, will be held for your signature during on-site registration for those competitors applying electronically.

On behalf of the BFA and Fiesta, we look forward to seeing you in Albuquerque, NM September 30 – October 9, 2016.

Sincerely,
Maury Sullivan
Championship Director
2016 US Women’s Nationals, Balloon Federation of America