Advertisement
Hello Everyone,We are just over a month away from the 2026 addition of the Experimental Balloon and Airship Association Meet on May 15, 16, 17. Anyone with an interest in homebuilt and ultralight balloons and airships is invited, so please pread the word. Find below (and attached) the extensive event briefing with just about everything you may need or want to know as an attendee. The goal with the briefing is to introduce new folks to the Post Mills/EBAA scene and reorient our returning guests. You'll find TONS of information about all things EBAA and PMA from camping, to food, to general flying tips and tricks.
Caring Communities Preschool from across the street will have the usual grilled things available for purchase Fri and Sat evenings. Breakfast will be available Saturday and Sunday.
The Gray Cats, who put on an awesome musical performance from the porch of the museum last year, will be back again on Saturday evening. Come and show your support!
New this year: we have a number of new experimentals in the community that have been built in the last year. If you have built such a balloon and are interested in a group event, we will be doing a "New Balloon Debutante Ball" on Saturday morning (Sunday weather date) on the north end of the runway. Come out for a photo-op with your new balloon or come and check out the newest balloons in the community.
RSVP's for the event via email ([email protected]) or phone (802-333-9254) are encouraged, but not required.
We have been working hard to update our email list, but inevitably there are folks that are unintentionally missed and others that would like to be removed. Just email us and we'll do our best to get it corrected for the future (please avoid the reply-all).
We're not on social media, so we'll leave it to the community to spread the word in the experimental ballooning circles. The Brian J. Boland Memorial Foundation website is a good place to direct folks. The EBAA Meet is a featured event and the information is updated regularly.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there,
Cheers,
Jordan + Tina
On behalf of the Brian J. Boland Memorial Foundation
[email protected]
802-333-9254
Post Mills Airport, PO Box 51, 104 Robinson Hill Rd, Post Mills, VT USA
----
The Briefing:
Hello From Post Mills!
The Experimental Balloon and Airship Association (EBAA) Meet will be held on Friday May 15 thru Sunday May 17, 2026.
Welcome to any new folks joining us for the first time (or the first time in a while). The EBAA is a loose group of aeronauts and enthusiasts that have gathered in Post Mills regularly since Brian Boland moved to Post Mills Airport in 1988. All are welcome, no official invites necessary – but flying is limited to homebuilt/experimental/ultralight craft. If you know an experimental balloon builder that doesn’t know about/hasn’t been to this event, please send this message along to them, guide them to the Brian Boland Foundation website or pass along their contact to us via email. If you know a non-balloonist interested in hobby flying, creating, engineering, etc., please invite them as well. We love new friends and want to share this beautiful atmosphere with them.
Our goal for this event is to continue the fun, supportive, and creative vibes of festivals past. That means few requirements, no mandatory meet times, no admission fees. However, that doesn’t mean there are no rules. It’s up to all of us to cultivate the safe and respectful atmosphere that will keep this event going! PLEASE read the more detailed information below and call or email with any questions.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Here are some details:
Dates and Times: The balloon meet will run May 15-17 this year. Usually, weather permitting, we have a few folks show up early or stay after the official dates. Because of this tradition, we consider all early birds/holdovers to be voluntary balloon meet set-up/break-down crew! Please let us know if you will be arriving outside the traditional balloon meet footprint. Flight times are typically around 6am and 6pm each day. We would love it if you sent an RSVP, but if not, we’ll see you when you get here.
Equipment: As always, we ask that ONLY experimental, homebuilt and ultralight equipment be flown at EBAA. We may have a few airworthy fuel cylinders available for use by folks traveling from a long way away. Please get in touch (phone or email) prior to the meet so we can coordinate. We trust all of you to be responsible and do the right things to protect yourself, protect the community, and protect Post Mills Airport. It’s up to each individual pilot to make sure their paperwork and equipment is up to snuff. The future of LTA and all aviation at PMA depends on responsible flying.
Flying: Post Mills enjoys some of the best flying conditions on the east coast. It’s not just the beautiful scenery (the lakes, the mountains, the trees, and the rivers), it’s also our incredibly understanding and open community and our consistently calm surface winds. That said, while most of the folks in the area are delighted to meet you and your balloon, not everyone welcomes airborne visitors, and as a rural area there are many critters to avoid. Please check in with someone who knows the area if you are new and please consult the KML red zone overlay found on the Brian Boland Memorial Foundation website under the EBAA 2026 event page. This is updated semi-regularly, so I suggest you re-download it as close to the event as possible to avoid any mistakes. The rule of thumb with EBAA is: fly when you want to fly; make it safe, make it fun, be responsible, care for others. It will be up to each individual pilot to make sure they are fit to fly, to check the weather, to plan out their flight, to fly responsibly and make good decisions. Remember that balloons are not the only airborne things at PMA; a NOTAM will be issued re the balloon meet, and the gliders generally take the weekend off or go elsewhere, but be aware that planes, powered parachutes, helicopters…. may be taking off and landing during the day so keeping the runway clear (and always looking up before crossing!) is important.
Post Mills has an incredible party/family reunion atmosphere and the EBAA meet is a big draw for the community. Let’s keep that going! Remember to get your needed sleep and be responsible with your alcohol consumption. Look out for yourself and your friends. Be welcoming to the folks who show up to see you fly and learn more about the sport. We’re all in this together!
Lebanon weather station (16 miles to the south east in New Hampshire, code KLEB) and Montpelier (code KMPV) are our closest surface weather reporting stations. Note that KLEB is down in the river valley and often fogged in even on clear days at Post Mills. Plattsburgh, NY (KPBG) is often our best bet for winds aloft forecasts. The Windy app is pretty reliable here, as is the Accuweather forecast. I find Accuweather to be best for local Dew Point/Temperature spreads (fog) and NOAA seven day forecasts best for long range planning.
Flight planning is obviously completely weather dependent, but a few local notes to keep in mind: Most of the good landing spots/fields can be found in the valleys (the Ompompanoosuc River valley along Rte 113 and the Connecticut River Valley/I91 corridor). In the mornings, wind tends to rise out of the valleys (anabatic winds) and in the afternoon the wind tends to sink into the valleys (katabatic winds). This means that if you’re relying on surface winds to get where you want to go, you’ll tend to be pushed off the fields and up onto the ridges as the day warms up in the mornings. You’ll also tend to sink down over the water (and get becalmed over the lakes/rivers) later in the evening. So, plan your flight accordingly! Taking off late in the morning/flying for hours late into the day is not recommended. Taking off late in the evening/flying into darkness is also not recommended. Mornings tend to be calmer, and people love to hang out over the field, boxing around and staying close. That’s cool, just be cognizant of our neighbors. They like us because we tend to give them space, not flying low over their roofs and especially not their animals (more on that below!); use Fire 2/whisper burners whenever possible. Winds in the evening tend to be a bit stiffer. Expect to take off in ~5 kts of wind and land in the valleys where it’s calmer.
This area can be tricky to fly because there are a lot of trees. Have those droplines ready, make a game plan, and utilize all your resources. If you have concerns about the flying area, red zones, local weather patterns, neighbors, etc. please find and talk to our local pilots Aaron Johnson and myself (Jordan Long), as well as Tina Foster. We’ll be around and are all happy to help. Note that any red zone map is not comprehensive and doesn’t override common sense and basic human decency.
Chasing/Landowners: Cell service on the ground is still spotty and carrier dependent…so be prepared… Brian did an unbelievable job cultivating a positive, balloon friendly culture here in the Upper Valley. He did this by being one of the people, a respectful local, flying for fun, and being empathetic to those around him. When you’re chasing around these parts, please be cognizant of those around you. Pull off the roads in a safe spot, don’t block driveways, never enter a property without permission. We tend to always pack out our equipment (landing on/near accessible roads), carrying our lightweight experimental stuff to the vehicle, never driving the vehicle into a field. If you have heavier equipment: plan to have more crew to carry your stuff. Don’t assume you’ll be able to drive to where you land.
Never open gates (let the landowner do it), avoid cattle (yes, even the cattle directly adjacent to the airport, just because they’re “used to the balloons” and not freaking out doesn’t mean you can land in their paddock or buzz them at low altitude). Note that hay will be low in May and look very attractive for landing: minimize your impact by never driving on the fields, packing out equipment, etc. Other crops (like corn) will be newly planted and also look landable: don’t even think about it (ideally fly on to a better spot, but if you absolutely need to land, aim for the tractor roads between the fields. If you squish crops, have a checkbook ready). Avoid barns and paddocks with animals (keep a sharp eye for horses and cows especially, but we also have sheep, goats, pigs, and more in the area). One area of particular note is the Middlebrook Valley (a long stretch of fields running north from Lake Fairlee). This has long been a sensitive area. Stever Farm (beautiful cattle on both sides of the road 2 miles up from Rte 244) has been there (and been avoided by us locals) for as long as I can remember. The fields to the south of Stever’s have been a sensitive area for many years now. There are still small pockets where you’re welcome, but by and large, I recommend flying on to the much larger Connecticut River Valley if possible. The biggest and most important thing when it comes to community relations/red zones: listen to the locals/landowners. Don’t presume you have the right to land somewhere, drive somewhere, etc. Listen to their concerns (and complaints) if they come, be conciliatory and above all respectful. If you have any issues, let Tina or Jordan know ASAP so we can do damage control. Protect our community, it’s up to all of us!
Runway Etiquette: We have two beautiful grass strip runways that we need to protect so please minimize traffic across the runways. If you’re camping on the west side of the runway (along the cemetery fence), drive in once to drop off your equipment at the beginning of the weekend and once to pick up your equipment at the end of the weekend. Otherwise, please park in the designated parking areas and walk to your campsite. (If you need accommodations for medical/physical needs, please let us know). The same goes for launches and landings. Drive in once to inflate, once to pack up. If you’re planning on boxing the field: leave the vehicle where it is until it’s time to collect your equipment The runway will be active throughout the weekend. If you’re flying in, please buzz the runway so that people know you’re coming in. If you’re on the ground and see a plane buzz the runway, please do your part to make others aware and keep the area clear.
Propane: Propane is available any time at the on-site filling station for $2.50/gallon. Mark out the fuel used on the sheet by the propane tank and settle up at the end of the weekend with Tina or Jordan (cash or check only please). Checks should be made out to Tina Foster. Propane is self-serve; if you need help or haven’t used the system before, or don’t feel comfortable doing so, let someone know! Note: we do not have Tema adaptors. Be safe with the propane, be courteous to one another.
Accomodations/Food: You are welcome and encouraged to camp on site, see more info below. There are a few local B&Bs and hotels as well. The Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee is large and quite nice, though it has recently increased its room rates. Dowds’ Country Inn and The Lyme Inn in Lyme, NH are nearby favorites. Further afield you have options in Hanover, NH and Norwich, VT (20 minutes from PMA) or more economical options in White River Junction, VT and Lebanon, NH (30 minutes from PMA). There are a number of short term rentals in the area as well.
There aren’t many local food options, but we do ask that you consider eating local – let them know that you’re in the area for the balloon meet (they’ll love you for it!). Baker’s Store is close by on Rt. 113 with some grab-and-go breakfast items. Last Chance General Store is a new spot in West Fairlee that has excellent hot sandwiches and pizza (say “hi” to our neighbor Matt, the owner). Jan at Jan’s Fairlee Diner in Fairlee has talked about adding outdoor seating during the event to accommodate folks on Saturday and Sunday. Please stop in and say hello. Sunnyside Cafe in Fairlee has specialty coffee and a few grab-and-go items (I like the breakfast burrito the best). Rae’s Corner Cafe in Bradford, and Bliss Village Store & Deli in Bradford are also locally owned spots that we beg you to patronize. Crossroads Farm is close to PMA if you need some yummy veggies or delicious Misty Knoll chicken to BBQ, and Cedar Circle Farm in East Thetford has a decent selection of salads, sandwiches, snacks, and specialty coffee. There is also Chapman’s Provisions in Fairlee for local specialty items and wine. Note that in the evenings local spots tend to close early, plan accordingly. Caring Community preschool will once again be offering grilled stuff on the field on Friday and Saturday evenings. The lines may be long because of our incredible community support, but it’s for a good cause, so go have yourself some barbecue! We will try to have some breakfast options available as well, but it’s harder to find interested parties to offer them…
Camping: The most economical (and fun) way to experience the EBAA meet is to camp out on the field. This has really been a community building feature of EBAA and allows folks to stay close to the action. Tent camping will remain free of charge. Large campers/camper trailers are asked to make a donation if they decide to plug in to water/power. The traditional tent camping spots are along the western edge of the property (along the cemetery fence, adjacent the museum in the windsock vicinity) and along the eastern edge of the property (close to the Vermontasaurus, the piano hut, and our collection of green sheds). Larger campers/camper trailers traditionally set up along the tree line north of the hangars (abeam the camo van tank and our collection of dock floats) or south of the hangars (abeam cottage 1, and Club Grub). You’re also welcome to camp in the large field across the road from the end of the runway, though there is no power/water there. As always, portaloos will be available –please help keep them clean! It is important to note that camping on the runway is off limits. Other off limit spots include tie-down areas (the gliders will mark those out) and anything south of Cottage 5. The power situation is not great here at the airport; we do have outlets you can plug into but running microwaves, heaters, etc. will surely trip the breaker. Minimize your power use and work with your neighbors to keep the lights on for everybody (bring extra blankets, enjoy those cool VT nights!). Fires should be contained in portable metal fire pits. No open fires on the ground. If you need a fire pit, let me know, we have some available and please put something under it to prevent burn marks on the grass.
Pets: All pets must be leashed at ALL TIMES while on airport property. That’s a hard stop because unleashed dogs can be an enormous hazard. This is for safety, not because we don’t trust your dog (or goat, or tortoise, or hamster…).There will be no exceptions. Leashes will either be in hand or firmly secured to a fixed point on the ground. This rule extends to everyone that steps on airport property (balloonists, spectators, crew, etc.). Our local community members do a great job of respecting it. If you see an unleashed pet KINDLY explain the situation. We also ask that you pick up after your dog: bag the poo and take it with you.
Trash: Pack in, pack out. We don’t have the space or budget to accommodate your trash or recyclables. Even if the trash isn’t yours, do your best to make it disappear. It’s a kind thing to do.
Rain: In the event of rain, we cannot guarantee covered space for tents, equipment, or vehicles in hangars. Most of the space is rented out or occupied by Brian’s collection of vehicles. Please plan accordingly and be extra careful of soft ground around the property and neighborhood.
Other Stuff: As always, the Museum of Rusty Dusty Stuff will be open throughout the balloon meet. I hereby deputize each and every one of you to protect this extremely unique and valuable resource. If you see wild ones (of any ages) running around the museum, touching stuff, taking stuff, climbing in vehicles, throwing stuff they shouldn’t, climbing on sculptures, etc. please ask them to stop. If stuff gets broken or stolen, the museum will be shut for future meets. PMA is a memorial to Brian and everything here (from the runway to the most insignificant empty beer can in the museum) is an extension of him. Let’s work together to protect it.
New Balloon Debutante Ball: Word on the street is we have a few new systems fresh off the sewing machine! We will be doing a fun little photo-op Saturday morning (Sunday if it gets weathered out) at the north end of the runway to celebrate the creators and their creations. Just a little static display at 6am before free flights
Old Balloon Show and Tell: In years past we’ve had a few folks inflate/inspect old/unairworthy equipment. It’s a neat opportunity to see the equipment of the past and see how those materials have held up after years in the bag. This would be the one exception to the “no type-certificated balloons” requirement. Rules are that they stay on the ground. We usually do this show and tell thing later in the morning (after traditional balloon time) in the sheltered space of the Magic Circle. If you’re interested, let us know! There is specific Magic Circle etiquette we need to observe.
Balloon sales/swaps: In years past, folks have brought items to sell. That’s great! I know a few folks that purchased their first equipment at EBAA and I’d love to see that tradition continue.
Wifi: We will do our best to have wifi available, but be prepared for the possibility of a wifi/cell-free weekend (or at least a trip around the corner to the Library to get service).
Supporting EBAA and PMA: The Brian J Boland Memorial Foundation has been established to support education activities at PMA – and EBAA is certainly educational! Donations for camping or just because you love the meet are welcome and tax-deductible! You may donate through the Brian Boland Memorial Foundation website or by cash ot check to Jordan or Tina..
More info/reminders will be posted to the EBAA Meet 2026 webpage. Please subscribe to our mailing list so you don’t miss a thing!
That's it. There's your briefing.
Advertisement
Event Venue
Post Mills Airport, 104 Robinson Hill Rd,Post Mills, Vermont, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
