Hot air ballooning is definitely a team sport with room for lots of different players. If you are looking for something fun to do on a regular or irregular basis; alone or with others; on weekends or weekdays; with old friends or new then you should check out crewing for a hot air balloon.

Your investment is minimal and the returns are maximum if you want fun, friends, and excitement. Crewmembers come from all walks of life. Some began as friends or family of a pilot. Others followed a passing balloon and talked to the team when they landed. Any balloon gathering is a good place to ask, "How can I do this too?"

A newcomer to our club will find a warm and friendly welcome from people who enjoy what they do so much that they are eager to share it. We are diverse; you would have to look hard to find a job, profession, or age that is not represented. We have grown from a dozen balloons in 1980 to over 160 members today, taking pride in our reputation for education and safety in the sport of hot air ballooning.

Crewmembers are encouraged and assisted by many different teams who offer individual perspectives on their particular interests; fun flying, competition, and/or commercial rides. NOBPA ‘s members do it all, and, I am proud to say, do it very well. We have national champions in competition, national record setters, and our scenic rides are among some of the most beautiful in Ohio.

For those of you who are new to ballooning, crewing usually involves a time commitment of about three hours per flight, generally in the evening mornings are available too for those early risers, but balloons don’t fly in the middle of the day.

The phone rings, it’s your pilot, the winds look good, it’s a ‘go’, want to come along? You and your fellow crewmembers gather and begin to assemble the balloon. Your new friends are very safety conscious so you are given lots of help, training, and support as you learn.

The balloon is ready to fill, the sound of the burners firing to provide hot air thrills like the first hill on a roller coaster! She launches and you wave and yell "good-bye!" as you quickly gather equipment and jump into the chase vehicle to follow. Maybe you drive, or maybe you watch the map and navigate. The pilot’s voice comes over the radio telling you what a great view they have, and you laugh and talk with other crew while watching the balloon "tree grazing" or sailing over your head.

It’s exciting and fun to be in the chase, to work as a team at landing, comparing notes with the pilot and passengers on your different perspectives of the flight. Crewing has lots of benefits, not the least of which is an opportunity, at times, to be one of those lucky people in the basket instead of in the van! Crewing is voluntary, and grateful pilots have lots of ways of saying "thank you!"

The mystique of balloons is always exhilarating for those who feel it and frequently addicting! Being a part of NOBPA gives a sense of value, not only as a crew person but also as a respected member of the balloon community. The fun, the fellowship, and the adventures just follow naturally.

On behalf of all NOBPA crew, welcome to our world.