Description
**Membership now live for 2024/25!!**
To join our interest list for 2024/25, click here!
Seize the opportunity to experience something completely unique by joining Bristol University Hot Air Ballooning Society. Make new friends, learn new skills, and have a chance to fly in our iconic red and white balloon at an affordable price!
Who are we?
We are BUHABS, one of only two student-run hot air ballooning societies in the UK. We fly as often as we can, mostly on Wednesday afternoons and weekends from various launch sites in Bristol and the surrounding area. We often travel to other balloon meets across the country and we also have opportunities for members to train as a pilot.
Do I need to know anything about hot air balloons?
Absolutely not, you do not need to have had any experience, everyone is welcome to join and we would love to meet you. We fly with a qualified pilot who will tell you how to help set the hot air balloon up and ensure that you have a safe and exciting time in the air.
How do you arrange flights?
Our pilot checks the weather forecast and if the conditions look suitable, they will send out an invitation via email to paid members. Places are first-come, first served. The day before, detailed weather forecasts are checked and details on the pickup location and times are confirmed. The decision to fly lies with the pilot and flights can be cancelled at any time including on the launch field. Passenger safety is our number one priority.
Who can join BUHABS?
We have traditionally had a great mixture of undergraduate, postgraduate and staff members join the society. We also have alumni of the University and friends of BUHABS involved, who can purchase associate membership of Bristol SU and then become full BUHABS members via this page.
How much is membership?
Membership costs £30. Your membership will allow you to:
- Sign up to our flights to get a chance to fly in the basket.
- Help to inflate, crew and retreive the University of Bristol hot air balloon.
- Sign up for ballooning meets including Midlands Air Festival, Longleat Air Safari and of course, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Once you have signed up to fly in our balloon, the cost of a flight is £45. It’s the cheapest way you will ever get to fly in a hot air balloon.
Note: Buying membership does not guarantee a flight, as we cannot guarantee flight regularity. Ballooning is weather dependent, and flights can be cancelled at last minute. We will make every effort to fly as often as possible.
We are committed to introducing as many people as possible into the wonderful world of hot air ballooning and we aim to be as affordable and inclusive as possible. Students can apply for up to £100 per academic year through the Activity Hardship Fund.
What do we do when we're not flying?
We organise socials every month, including kit demonstrations, pub and sober socials, a hot air balloon factory tour, and skills sessions. All info is sent out via email to current members.
How do I keep in touch with what is happening in BUHABS?
Check us out on our social media, including our Instagram and Facebook pages, where we post about ballooning news and posts pictures of our recent trips. We also run a private Facebook group for members (info shared via email).
If you have any further questions, check out our FAQ article or feel free to message us on our social media or email us at mail.buhabs@gmail.com.
Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
