Author: Paul Spellward

The Executive Committee (EC) had a meeting on 10^th September 2024. This was a special additional meeting solely to discuss a proposal that EBF should affiliate to Europe Air Sports (EAS).

The President explained that EBF had been working since its formation outside the framework of EAS and had been successful in its direct work with EASA on the balloon specific regulations (Parts BFCL, BOP) and main other regulations (Part ML, Part DTO).

However, there are many challenges facing ballooning now which are also common with other types of general aviation, notably the increasing presence of drones, the need for electronic conspicuity and the constant need to monitor changes (especially expansion) in airspace.

By joining EAS, EBF will be able to benefit from the much greater resources of EAS and from its good connections with EASA. EBF will still be the main source of ballooning expertise and will continue to lead on key initiatives which are mainly for balloons. As part of EAS, EBF will also be granted access to certain EASA meetings and workgroups which cannot be accessed by EBF alone.

In 2024, unlike in 2014, EBF has sufficient financial resources for the EAS membership fee. It was explained that EAS funding is through two channels, both via national federations / aeroclubs and from the European organisations such as EBF. This should not be seen as paying twice, rather as paying in two parts.

After discussion by the EC, it was unanimously agreed that EBF should submit an affiliation request to EAS. 

Paul Spellward, President

The Executive Committee (EC) had a routine meeting at the end of July. The arrangements for the bank account under the control of the new EC have been completed. There are changes in organisation of representation of General Aviation sector at EASA; EBF is reapplying for membership of the key bodies. It’s critical that ballooning remains directly represented, rather than under a more general organisation such as Europe Air Sports. EBF will participate at the next large sector meeting at EASA in November. 

EBF’s work on regulation development and improvement continues. After a year of consultation with EBF members, a list of proposed changes to Part BFCL has been submitted to EASA. The EC is working in parallel on Part BOP and will submit proposals in the coming few months. Important changes for Part 66 engineers are going too slowly at EASA and EBF is pushing for progress. There are varying interpretations in different countries on how training organisations (DTOs) should operate and EBF will start a project to provide guidance on best practice. EBF has opened discussions with the department in EASA which deals with technical (airworthiness) issues, so that the voice of users (balloon pilots and operators) can be better heard. EBF is supporting an initiative which could bring pilot medical declarations (instead of medical certification) for pilots who do not fly commercially. 

EBF is contributing on Electronic Conspicuity, to ensure that a solution for balloons which involves a simple App on a mobile phone is adopted. This work is very important to defend our access to low level airspace which might be allocated to drones in the future. 

EBF will improve liaison with the member federations. There might be an EBF “conference” in the future. An initiative has been agreed to invite a specific federation to join each Executive Committee meeting, starting with the October meeting.

Paul Spellward, President

EBF Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held 25^th April 2024. This meeting of the national representatives of EBF member states will deal with the finance report, discuss proposed changes to the Statutes of EBF and will elect the new Executive Committee. The meeting will receive reports on EBF’s activities in 2023 and plans for 2024-25. The national representatives can bring suggestions and proposals to the EBF AGM, so balloonists in Europe are urged to liaise with them to send contributions for consideration at the EBF AGM.

The EC met to discuss general business and particular topics.

Preparations are being made for the Annual General Meeting, 25^th April 2024, where some updates of EBF’s Statutes will be proposed.

New members of the EC are required from 25^th April 2024 and national representatives have been urged to consider being candidates.

Progress on work with EASA was reported, though the pace of adjustments to regulations is inevitably slow. Current initiatives include changes for Part 66 licensed engineers, a possible introduction of a “self-declared” medical for pilots flying non-commercially and on the routine updates of Parts BFCL and BOP. 

Paul Spellward, General Secretary

EBF had a successful visit in Cologne, maintaining contacts with key senior EASA people and making progress on important topics. EBF working alongside the European Gliding Union and EASA on a solution for recency of balloon and sailplane (Part 66L) engineers, most of which only work on a very part time basis. We joined discussions in support of lower medical requirements for non-commercial ballooning, potentially a pilot medical declaration rather than a medical certificate from an aviation doctor. We had first meetings on the review of the pilot licensing (BFCL) and balloon operations (BOP) regulations. Clearly, EBF will be doing a lot of work in the coming years to support the ballooning community in Europe.

Paul Spellward, General Secretary