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Roger Clark
Ballooning has been a part of my life from the age of 12. I started flying with my father and brother at age 13, soloed at 14, got my private certificate at 16 and my commercial certificate at 18. At the time, I was the youngest active commercial pilot in the United States. As I move into the latter stages of my ballooning career, I am focused on giving back to the sport I love as a flight instructor, balloonmeister and Youth Camp volunteer as well as being a member of the Aviation Ranch organization in Georgia that is dedicated to the continuance of the sport. Now I wish to serve as an ambassador for the Southeast ballooning community.
I feel that we must regain the trust and confidence of the ballooning community and restore the public perception of ballooning to prevent future encroachment on our ability to enjoy our sport. I would propose community outreach, media outreach and continued interaction at the highest levels of the FAA and NTSB to repair and improve the image of ballooning. We need to work with the ballooning community to search out ways to make safety a priority in all ballooning activities.
I am dedicated to bringing in new participants for our sport, both young and old, and to working with regulatory agencies to enact common sense regulations that will enhance safety without removing safe pilots from the sport. I believe in openness and responsiveness for the BFA and its leadership. I strongly support the BFA youth programs as the founding Director of the BFA Southeast Balloon Camp and as a flight instructor and ground instructor there for the last two years.
I have flown for the numerous major sponsors including Ziploc, DIAL Brands, Re/Max, Longhorn Steakhouse, Coors Light, Crafted with Pride/Made in USA (2 balloons), WSPA-TV7, WESC-92.5 FM, Freedom Weekend Aloft, and numerous individual banner events and sponsors.
Notable Achievements:
- Stunt Pilot for two movies: (Hot Heir, Masked Man and the Devil's Gold (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0131429/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm))
- Darth Vader special shape pilot: Albuquerque Fiesta 2022 and NJ Festival of Ballooning 2023
- Balloon Federation Association of America Ed Yost Master Pilot Award winner 2023
Staff Positions:
- Weather Officer for Camden Balloon Rally 1991
- Weather Officer for Balloons Over Anderson 2010-2014
- Weather Officer for Freedom Weekend Aloft 2011-2014
- Weather Officer for Freedom Balloonfest since 2015
- Meteorologist for the BFA Nationals in 2006 & 2008
- Weather Officer for Carolina Balloonfest in Statesville since 2011
- Safety Officer for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2017-2022
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- Also, an accident investigator in 2021 and 2022
- Weather Officer for Sun n Fun, Lakeland, FL 2021
- Weather Officer for First Fruits Festival, Louisburg, NC since 2021
- Weather Officer for Balloons over Rockbridge, Lexington, VA since 2021
- Weather Officer for The Villages Balloon event since 2021
- Balloonmeister for Hot Air Affair, Williamston, SC since 2020
- Balloonmeister for History Up High since 2023
Education Positions:
- CBA Safety Seminar in 2011 and 2014, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Safety Seminar at Sea in 2012, 2014, 2018
- Florida/Georgia Safety Seminar Presenter since 2023
- BFA Approved Annual Southeast Regional Ground School/Safety Seminar since 2012
I currently own five balloons (2 Firefly, 2 Eagle, 1 Cameron elephant special shape) and fly as much as possible with multiple students at festivals all around the Southeast. I have also owned a Cessna 172 and a Piper Archer in the past and have my private fixed-wing license. 2024 marks 44 years of aviation for me since I started at age 13 and I am approaching 4,200 hours of flight time in fixed-wing and LTA aircraft.
My father was a strong competitor and there is even a BFA senior competition trophy in his name to honor his participation, support and achievement. I am familiar with sport, commercial and competition ballooning and believe they all have the same potential to help, and harm, the image of ballooning. We all must work together to ensure the survival of ballooning as we all face increasing pressure form regulatory, landowner and festival budget fronts.
I ask for your support to serve as your representative in the Southeast to achieve some of these critical goals.
Thank you,
Roger D. Clark
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