We are pleased to offer our Crew Achievement Awards Program. This program is for crew and student pilots who are members of GEBA. Private and commercial pilot members are welcome to participate as well, but they will receive only a certificate upon completion of a level. The program can be both an educational and fun way to enjoy ballooning. By doing this in-house, we hope to make it affordable for all. The program does not replace the BFA program. We encourage you to do both if you desire. Here is how the GEBA program works*:
LEVEL ONE has nine (9) requirements and a total of twelve (12) crews to be completed. When completed, you will receive a certificate and your choice of a crew logbook or a tri-fold brochure on crewing. The cost for Level One is $5.00**. (**ALL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021.) Level One Application
LEVEL TWO has thirteen (13) requirements and a total of thirty (30) crews to be completed. When completed, you will receive a certificate and your choice of Gordon Schwontkowski’s Crewing Essentials book or tri-fold brochure on crewing, GEBA pin and GEBA t-shirt. The cost for Level Two is $10.00**. (**ALL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021.) Level Two Application
LEVEL THREE has sixteen (16) requirements and a total of seventy (70) crews to be completed. When completed, you will have your choice of a Private Pilot Written Test Prep book or a GEBA t-shirt. You will also receive a 5×7 plaque with the GEBA logo and Crew Chief on it. The cost for Level Three is $12.00**. (**ALL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021.) Level Three Application
LEVEL FOUR has thirteen (13) requirements and a total of one hundred (100) crews to be completed. When completed, you will receive either a shirt or hat (your choice) with the GEBA logo and Master Crew Chief on it. You will also receive an 8×10 plaque with the GEBA logo and Master Crew Chief on it. The cost for Level Four is $15.00**. (**ALL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021.) Level Four Application
Levels One and Two do not require a pilot to sign you off. Levels Three and Four do. Links to all the paperwork you need to complete each level are listed below. In an effort to cut costs, awards will not be shipped; arrangements will be made with the crew person for retrieval.
Any crew member that completes Level One or Two will receive an entry into an annual drawing for a $50 gift card of the crew member’s choice between VISA or Amazon. Two $50 gift card winners will be drawn annually.
Any crew member that completes Level Three or Four will receive an entry into an annual drawing for one $75 gift card of the crew member’s choice between VISA or Amazon.
You may also download the forms below. Enjoy the program, have fun with it, and be safe.
GEBA CREW ACHIEVEMENT APPLICATION FORMS (ALL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021.)
(Click to download)
Level One Application
Level Two Application
Level Three Application
Level Four Application
Please feel free to contact Bill Miller at crewchief@gebaballoon.org with any questions.
*A summary letter from a pilot will not be accepted as proof of level completion. We realize that many crew do not maintain a log similar to that of a pilot. In place of a log, crew may send another form of documentation (MS Word document, MS Excel file, handwritten, etc.) for each ‘crew’ completed that contains the date and activities completed during that crew. This documentation will be used to verify the number of crews and skills completed for each level of the program.