Registration Declaration
To complete your registration please read the below terms and conditions and declarations and tick the declaration agreement, followed by the SUBMIT button. You will receive an email acknowledgement.
The Flying Committee will confirm if your application is accepted no later than 30th April 2026. Should your application be accepted you will receive a VAT invoice, should charges apply to your application.
Balloonist Terms & Conditions - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2026
ENTRIES
To enter the Fiesta, pilots must have:
(a) at least 10 P1 hours since 11th August 2025 if less than 25 hours total P1 time, or
(b) at least 5 P1 hours since 11th August 2025 if between 25 and 100 hours total P1 time, or
(c) at least five flights of not less than five minutes duration in the preceding thirteen months, or have passed a license revalidation flight with an examiner, if 100 hours or more P1 time.
(d) If flying with a BPL which was issued 48 months prior to the 7th August 2026, must have undertaken a flight with an FI(B).
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Each Balloon must be in possession of the following valid and up to date documentation: C of R, Insurance document, ARC, Balloon Log Book, C of A (initial issue), Last annual inspection report, Flight Manual for the balloon. Each pilot must be in possession of the following documentation: Pilot licence, Pilot log book, Medical certificate or declaration, Certificate of Revalidation (Commercial Pilots only), Operator Proficiency Check (DBO Pilots only)
APPLICATION
All applications must be made only via Jotform. One submission must be made per balloon. Demand for places at the Fiesta invariably exceeds the number of spaces available. The acceptance of all applications is at BIBF’s sole discretion and preference may be given to pilots who has consistently done their best at the Fiesta. The organiser has the right to refuse an application without reason.
Please supply a picture of your balloon on entry for inclusion in the program. In all categories of entry the Fiesta will accept a maximum of two balloons of a similar appearance or with the same logo (with the exception of the main sponsor) except with the written permission of the main sponsor.
Upon acceptance of the application, an invoice for the balance will be raised and payment must be made within the payment terms outlined in the ‘PAYMENT’ section below.
If you are PUT, we ask you have an early conversation with the Fiesta team about your entry, for specific instructions about flying at the Fiesta.
PAYMENT
The applicant shall pay the invoice for the balloonist’s place at The Feista by the payment date clearly listed on the invoice which is 30 days from issue date.
If 30 days surpasses the cancellation date of 30th May 2026, payment is due by return.
Failure to pay may result in denial of entry to site. For cancellation terms, please see the ‘CANCELLATION’ section below.
YOUR COMMITMENT
It is BIBF's requirement that pilots attending the Fiesta will aim to fly on all available occasions appropriate to their level of skill and experience. It is also BIBF's requirement that balloonists will participate in Night Glows, tethering and ‘meet the teams' sessions in the main arena, in order to offer an entertaining show for the public. Tethering slots of an hour each will be available during the event with a tethering kit provided if required. Decisions about flying are only taken by Flight Control. All pilots must have the appropriate paper or digital maps, marked-up with the latest sensitive area information and airspace. All IPR arising from or in relation to the Fiesta including the name and any logo are vested and remain vested in BIBF and shall not be passed to or otherwise licensed or exploited by or on behalf of any entrant without prior written consent of BIBF.
REGISTRATION/BRIEFING
Balloon Registration will take place on Thursday 6th August and Friday 7th August 2025 (all times TBC). The initial briefing will take place on Friday 7th August (time TBC). The program of events will run from the 7th- 9th August 2025. Please advise in writing if you are unable to attend. Pilots are required to attend all briefings and debriefings.
PILOT PACKS
There will be one pilot pack only allocated to each accepted balloon entry.
ALTERATIONS OF THE FIESTA
BIBF reserves the right to alter any element of the Fiesta at its sole discretion without notice. The Site Map is for guidance only; its accuracy is not guaranteed.
COMPLIANCE
All entrants shall observe and comply with in addition to these terms and conditions, all relevant laws and other directions, codes of practice or guidelines imposed by BIBF, and/or any law or other competent authority applicable to the event.
STUNT AND AERIAL ACTIVITY
Aerial displays and stunts are subject to prior written agreement with BIBF only.
PRESS TERMS AND CONDITIONS
BIBF allocates all press to individual balloons at any pre-event promotional flights and the Friday Fiesta press morning. Balloon operators must not enter into prior arrangements for these events with any local, regional or national media. BIBF must be notified in advance, in writing, of any media that operators wish to bring to the Fiesta at any time. If you would like the opportunity to fly accredited Press please contact BIBF. All pilots and operators must comply with the BIBF Press terms and conditions.
NIGHT GLOWS
For the 2026 Fiesta, BIBF plans to stage two nightglows. The first will be held on Friday 7th and the second on Saturday 8th August. Participation is by invitation only but pilots are expected to participate in one nightglow if required. All balloons entering the Night Glows must be equipped with VHF radios allowing reception on 122.480 MHz. and they will not be able to take part in the mass ascent launch that evening, without BIBF approval.
CAMPING
There is limited camping space at the site for balloonists and accredited balloon team members only, allocated on a ‘first come - first served' basis and subject to rules of use. There will be WC's and showers in the campsite area, or as near as possible, depending upon ground conditions.
PASSES
In the interests of safety, the number of people on the Launch Field is regulated and limited. Passes will not be available at the Fiesta and must be ordered in advance. Please note that young children must be supervised and buggies and pushchairs will not be allowed in the arena. Dogs are not allowed on the Launch Field. Each entrant will receive one pilot pass and four wristbands (2 wristbands for model balloonists) and if more are required, they can be requested subject to availability. One Balloonist Pass will be issued for the balloonists' retrieve vehicle and one for balloonist crew vehicle. Limited extra Vehicle Passes can be requested subject to availability by requesting on the application form. Requests for excessive numbers of passes will be refused.
AIRWORTHINESS
BIBF reserve the right to prohibit the launch of any balloon that, in their opinion, is not airworthy.
INSURANCE
Valid insurance cover to the level required under EASA regulations with an insurer of repute must be effective during the whole of the Fiesta. Evidence of such cover satisfactory to BIBF must be produced to BIBF on request at any time and a copy of cover must be brought to the Fiesta for inspection.
FLIGHT TRACKING
All pilots entered in the Fiesta will be expected to provide a digital track of each and every flight when they debrief. Pilots who can’t provide a digital track after a flight will not be allowed to make any further flights at the Fiesta until they do so.
SECURITY
Limited general security will be on site from 6th August 2026 until the morning of 10th August 2026. Specific security requirements can be arranged by contacting BIBF, in advance, for a quotation. Participants are responsible for the insurance and safekeeping of all equipment or articles brought onto the site and no responsibility is accepted by BIBF.
CANCELLATION
Cancellations must be made in writing to BIBF before 30th May 2026 all fees will be refunded in full, less an administration fee of £50 plus VAT. On or after this date until 15th June 2026, 50% of the fee will be refunded, less an administration fee of £50 plus VAT and any other non-cancellable costs. No refunds will be given after the 30th June 2026. If the Fiesta is cancelled or fails to occur in whole or part for any reason no refund or other payment or compensation will be given.
DISCLAIMER
BIBF, its officers, employees, agents and representatives shall have no liability whatsoever in respect of all and any action, claim, demand, proceedings, costs, expenses, fines, penalties loss or damage whatsoever arising out of or connected with the participation by any person, firm or company in whatever capacity in the Fiesta including but not limited to arising or resulting from or connected with the loss injury or damage sustained by or to any third party, any refusal by insurers to meet in full or in part or at all any claim or the seizure or taking of possession of any balloon or equipment. This shall not operate or be construed to operate to exclude or restrict the liability of BIBF for death or personal injury caused by its negligence. Each entrant for itself and all those from whom it is directly or indirectly responsible shall indemnify and hold BBF harmless from and against all costs and expenses of whatever nature, actions, proceedings, claims, demands and damages made against BIBF, its officers and or representatives arising from any breach of its obligations to BIBF or from any acts or omissions on the part of the entrant and/or for those for whom it is so responsible.
CONTACT DETAILS
The data BIBF gather and hold is managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. BIBF will not disclose or share personal information supplied by you with any third-party organisation without your consent.
GOVERNING LAW
English law shall apply in all respects.
Declaration
I declare that the above information is true, complete and correct and I undertake to bring all original supporting documentation referred to in this application to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta for examination. (Pilots are reminded of their obligation in respect of the validity of licences including current medicals, carriage of maps and compliance with the ANO). I understand that failure to produce such documents when requested may result in disqualification from the Fiesta. I accept that my entry is valid only for the balloons and pilots registered above. I further undertake to accept and obey the ‘Pilot Code of Conduct’ and attend the mandatory briefings. I agree to comply with the rules and regulations of BIBF, issued from time to time in relation to the Fiesta. I accept that the decision whether or not to allow me to fly at the Fiesta is at the sole discretion of the BIBF. I have read and accept the terms and conditions (available here).