Local Hot Air Balloon Pilot Named 2005 Florida State Champion (April 03rd, 2006)
Jon A. Thompson of Kissimmee, FL has been named the 2005 Florida State Champion by the Balloon Federation of America. Thompson won this honor through competition with balloon pilots from across the United States in events sanctioned by the BFA, State Champions are crowned on the basis of either being the higest ranked pilot in their home state on the BFA's year end National Rankings List or by winning the title outright in a sanctioned State Championship Event held in their home state.
The BFA sanctions balloon competitions throughout the United States and pilots are ranked according to their cumulative scoring average. The top pilots are then invited to participate each year in the U. S. National Championship. This year 40 competitors will participate in the National Championship to be held in Anderson County, South Carolina. More than 100 balloonists participated in BFA sanctions in 2005.
As State Champion, Thompson will recieve an opportunity for entry into the U.S. National Championship and success there could lead to a spot on the U.S. Team at the upcoming 18th World Championship to be held in Hofkirchen, Styria, Austria, September, 13-20, 2008. World Championships are held every two years.
The Balloon Federation of America congratulates Jon A. Thompson on this outstanding achievement and he will recieve a certificate to commemorate this honnor.
Thompson, while not traveling and competing in BFA sanctioned events, opperates a balloon ride business called SkyScapes Balloon Tours that specializes in Private Flights in the Walt Disney Resort Area of Kissimmee, FL.
For more information contact Jim Thompson (BFA Competition Committee Chairman) or Glen Moyer (BFA Public Relations) and/or log onto www.bfa.net
For more information about Thompson you can contact him at the information below: