Crewing - Getting Involved

Click on the topics below for related articles

1.    Crew is an essential part
2.    Experience not needed
3.    Getting started
4.    Join a club

Crew is an essential part!

Crew members are an essential component to every balloon flight. They assist in preparing the balloon for flight, managing the area after the launch, safely chasing (following) the balloon from the ground and finally packing up the equipment at the end of the flight. Following the balloon (chasing) can be very exciting and challenging. Many crews pride themselves in being at a landing site as the balloon touches down. The crew is usually has first contact with the landowners, and are therefore integral in maintaining good relations. Balloon crews also socialize throughout the year becoming close friends.

Back to Top

Experience not needed

No, you don't need previous experience to become part of a balloon crew. Most pilots gladly welcome all participants and provide training as needed. Crew members are a full functioning part of ballooning, and no balloon operation can exist without them. GEBA encourages membership to all crew participants and has several education and recognition programs directed solely at those who enjoy the crew aspect of ballooning. Many pilots started in ballooning as crew members.

Back to Top

Getting started

If you are interested in crewing, please contact the Membership Chairman. We will forward your request to the GEBA member pilot nearest to you. Please include your name, address, phone number and email. Be sure to provide contact information beyond email as not all GEBA members have Internet access. It would help us to know the geographical area where you would prefer to crew.

For another perspective on crewing for a page created for crew by GEBA member Gene Burnstein - as part of his personal web site.