What's the Word Contest

11/06/2022

Please read and submit your comments at the email in the original post.

URGENT - ACTION NEEDED

The attached article from AOPA lays out yet another challenge that we as balloonist are facing and the FAA is soliciting comments from you relating to it.

The issue is the use of drones for delivery of packages from hubs around the country. These hubs have already been established in many major metropolitan areas. These drone aircraft will be flying below 400 feet AGL and the intent will be to give them the right of way over all other manned aircraft. This poses a serious risk to lighter than air aircraft.

The problem is that the commission established to look at the right of way rules has proposed a rule change to the right of way rules to require us to see and avoid and proposes to give unmanned drones the right of way over us. Ballooning was not even considered in the steps taken to assess the risk.

The BFA is now preparing our response to this proposed rule change and public meetings will be held on June 22. You are being asked for individual input to this rule change. We are advising you to read the attached information and to comment against the allowance of these drones to be given right of way over all other forms of manned aircraft. These drones cannot see where they are flying and are blind to us because balloons do not have ADS-B transmission capability.

What we do as a group will matter, but each of you needs to send a letter in opposition as soon as you can. The address is contained in the attached links.

If we do not get this stopped or amended, we will have a serious increase in risk of having a collision between a drone and a balloon.

Address to send comments : [email protected]

with ‘‘Attention to Laura E. Gomez’’ in the subject line

No later than JUNE 21

When sending an email comment, please include:

Your Name
Your Pilot Certificate (if a pilot)
Your flying area (city, state)
Specific concerns about right-of-way issues / safety
Your ability (or lack thereof) to avoid a collision with an unmanned drone
Phone number (if desired)

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/march/17/aopa-objects-to-proposed-drone-rules

13/01/2022

Drone photos of Bill Smith’s recent record attempt launch

03/10/2021

We have a Word (and a winner)!

Congratulations to Paul Dale with his submission of the word "Release!" Paul and the Committee encourage you to make Release! a common word with all of your crew once your balloon is standing up.

Paul was chosen from a random drawing of all the people that submitted the word Release.

09/09/2021

What's the Word? Do you have a word or phrase to help crew remember to keep their feet on the ground? Be sure to submit your ideas soon! Enter as many times as you like!

https://forms.gle/ciiB9p3mGTcbwjYq7

23/08/2021

We've had almost 150 entries so far... did you get your word or phrase entered? Don't worry, there's still some time left. Talk it out with your balloon crew and friends and enter as many times as you want! Click the link below to get in the contest, the winner gets a HUGE prize package!

https://forms.gle/8dFn8KZzEM9pGoEr5

29/07/2021

We want your suggestions! Click here to submit your word or phrase: https://forms.gle/8dFn8KZzEM9pGoEr5

03/07/2021

Do you have a word or phrase for the What's the Word Contest? Click here to easily get to the entry form: https://forms.gle/8dFn8KZzEM9pGoEr5

Leaving the ground outside the basket never ends well. Though universally understood, “Weight off!” has no redundancy or feedback and may come late or go unheard. To that end, we’re seeking a universal catchphrase for crew to call out, command, and confirm “grounded” status which meets the...

29/06/2021

Scan this QR code to easily get to the What's the Word entry form!

29/06/2021

What’s the Word Contest?� Create a Safety Legacy to Protect Crew!

Leaving the ground outside the basket never ends well. Though universally understood, “Weight off!” has no redundancy or feedback and may come late or go unheard. To that end, we’re seeking a universal catchphrase for crew to call out, command, and confirm “grounded” status which meets these criteria:

1. Only 1-3 words.�
2. Instantly understandable and actionable by all crew and civilians.�
3. “Communal property:” equally authoritative when yelled by pilots OR crew alike.�
4. Clearly and quickly repeatable any time the basket leaves the ground or begins climbing�.
5. Standing order meaning let go of the basket BEFORE launch and immediately let go if you’re lifted off the ground.

Some pilot or crew member already has this word or catchphrase and knows EXACTLY what to say – is that you? If so, what’s the word? Every balloonist nationwide has a chance to create a crew safety legacy for all of us. Visit us at https://forms.gle/8dFn8KZzEM9pGoEr5 to submit entries or email your entry suggestion to [email protected]

Contest Rules~ Winning entry prize is $500.00 plus one free registration to the BFA 2022 Convention. Contest dates are July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021. Results will be announced at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Enter as often as you like. One entry per email. Email entry must have your suggestion and name. Multiple duplicate entries of the same word or phase will be decided by random drawing. Selection Committee decision is final. No prize substitution, although BFA Convention registration is transferable. BFA Convention Registration does not include travel, hotel or food.

Selection Committee: Scott Appleman-Duncan Dunavert-Jason Jones-Sue Palmer-Sam Parks

Leaving the ground outside the basket never ends well. Though universally understood, “Weight off!” has no redundancy or feedback and may come late or go unheard. To that end, we’re seeking a universal catchphrase for crew to call out, command, and confirm “grounded” status which meets the...