image

BUeHABS Landowner Relations Video

An entertaining yet educationally significant video.

Many would agree that part of the fun of ballooning is its unpredictability. When we take off we do not know where we will end up and that is why it is essential that we have an excellent retrieve crew to track the balloon in the van, help maintain good relations with the landowners and manage safety aspects on the ground.

To recognise the skills involved with crewing the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) operates a qualification scheme that BUHABS actively encourages its members to follow.

There are 2 levels to the crewing scheme, 'BBAC Crew' and 'BBAC Senior Crew'.

The requirements for qualification as BBAC crew are –

• 6 months experience as crew for at least one pilot
• 12 flights / launches as crew
• 4 times as mouth crew
• 4 times as fan crew
• 2 times assisted at the crown
• Correctly answer 15 questions for BBAC Crew in the Crew Training Manual

The requirements for qualification as BBAC senior crew are –

• 6 months experience as crew for at least two pilots
• 12 flights / launches / retrieves as crew
• 4 times as mouth crew
• 4 times as fan crew
• 4 times as crown crew
• 6 retrieves as crew chief (in BUHABS the driver is usually the crew chief)
• Correctly answer 20 questions for Senior Crew in the Crew Training Manual
• Correctly complete the Crew Radio Procedure Assessment
• Certification at a Landowner Relations Seminar
• Full UK driving licence for vehicles used as retrieves

Packing away the balloon after a flight.

To help you acquire these skills, BUHABS will issue you with a crewing logbook, in which you can record the details of all your flights and retrieves, and offer regular training evenings at the Student’s Union covering topics such as:

• Landowner Relations
• Radio Procedures
• First Aid
• Balloon Systems
• Competition ballooning and observing
• Crewing for commercial operations

These evenings are always good fun and there is always lots of practical content. Even if you aren’t planning to get a qualification you are most welcome to join in.