Baloo’s Great DOPA Flying Adventures to KOSH 2026

Game Introduction Note + Rules

Hello DOPA crew!

We’re kicking off a new DOPA-wide adventure: Relay with our honorary DOPA member, Baloo, the flying teddy bear, with a dash of friendly capture-the-flag energy.

Baloo will kick off his journey in Morrisville, NC (KHNZ — Kumar’s home base), then set out to visit DOPA member locations across the United States — and Canada, if possible — before making his second-to-last stop in Atlanta, GA (KPDK — Krish’s home base). From there, he’ll head to his ultimate destination: Oshkosh AirVenture 2026 (KOSH).

But the real adventure? That’s everything that happens along the way.

The mission:

Baloo will travel from one DOPA member location to the next exclusively by general aviation — airplanes, helicopters, gliders, seaplanes, maybe even a balloon or two. Along the way, he’ll take part in member meetups, fly-ins, lunch runs, and plenty of good old-fashioned pilot shenanigans.

The goal? To bring the whole adventure full circle at the Oshkosh 2026 meetup at KOSH.

Baloo is carrying a small camera for “Baloo POV.” Take a quick 10 second shot of what Baloo sees. Camera use is always optional. No pressure, fun and privacy come first.

How Baloo Travels

There are three ways Baloo moves:

1. Carry & deliver:

If you’re holding Baloo, you can fly to another DOPA member’s location and hand him over. Note: Baloo only loves to travel via General Aviation, unless it is a local delivery to another DOPA member.

2. Planned pickup / Meet halfway:

A DOPA member can fly to Baloo’s current location as per the planned route to pick him up, or if it’s too far, the current holder and next holder can meet at a midpoint airport and do the handoff there. Make sure to include Chai, filter coffee, or delicious dosa or biryani in your plans.

3. Fly in & “steal” (nicely):

Any DOPA member can fly to Baloo’s current location, do a meet-and-greet, and take Baloo onward. This can happen whether you were on the planned route or not — which is what makes it fun. Think of it as a “Baloo Heist” (but friendly and coordinated).

We’ll publish an initial opt-in registration list and propose a planned route, and then we’ll watch how Baloo’s actual travel compares to the plan as people jump in, reroute, and improvise.

Required Check-In / Check-Out (Very Important)

Every time Baloo arrives somewhere and before Baloo departs somewhere, the current holder must log it on the DOPA site:

· Check-In: when Baloo arrives at your location

· Check-Out: right before Baloo leaves your location

We’ll do this on nadopa.com so everyone can follow the adventure, see the timeline, and upload photos of handovers/meetups.

Required: The “Baloo Pose” Photo (one per leg)

Every leg must include one simple standard photo:

· Baloo with the plane (or tail), or

· Baloo at the airport sign / FBO sign

Same pose idea every time = an amazing end-of-trip collage.

Optional Mini-Missions (pick ONE each stop)

Each holder can choose any ONE mini-mission from this list:

· Sunrise or sunset Baloo

· Baloo with a new pilot friend

· Baloo with local BBQ / coffee

· Baloo with a local landmark

· Baloo with a sectional / ForeFlight screenshot (no personal info)

Pick one, have fun, keep it easy.

“Steal” Etiquette + Safety Guardrails (must read)

Safety is the #1 rule

No risky weather decisions, no pressure, no rushing. If it’s not safe or convenient, Baloo can stay put.

Always coordinate steals

Before flying in to pick up Baloo, message the current holder first and confirm time/place. No surprise pop-ins.

Be a good sport

This is competitive-fun, not chaos. Keep it inclusive, friendly, and easy.

Fallback Option (keep Baloo moving)

If you’re stuck for time, weather, maintenance, or life happens:

· You can handoff locally to a nearby member, or

· Ship Baloo to the next member (optional and coordinated)

Either way, do the nadopa.com checkout so everyone knows what’s happening.

Rules (Simple + Fun + Safe)

4. Safety first.

No risky flights, no pressure, no “gotta go” decisions. If weather, aircraft, schedule, or energy isn’t right, Baloo can chill.

5. Coordinate all handoffs directly.

Before flying in to pick up Baloo (a “steal”), contact the current holder first and confirm time/place.

6. Camera is optional (privacy-first).

Camera is OFF by default unless you choose otherwise. You may record short clips of no more than 30 secs if you want, but no filming inside homes without explicit permission, and avoid faces, tail numbers, or personal info unless people consent. If you don’t want to use the camera at all: turn it off and enjoy the game.

7. Always log your Check-In and Check-Out.

This is how the whole club tracks Baloo and how we keep the story alive.

8. Be a good sport.

This is “steal” energy, not “chaos” energy. Keep it friendly, inclusive, and fun.

What to Do When You Have Baloo

· Take a photo (or a few) of Baloo with your plane / airport / local landmark

· Optional: a short Baloo POV clip (if you want)

· Log the Check-In/Check-Out on nadopa.com

· Coordinate the next handoff: either you fly him onward, or someone flies in to pick him up

Awards at Oshkosh 2026 (KOSH!)

· Most states visited

· Most unique airports

· Best Baloo photo

· Most creative handoff

· Most audacious (but friendly) steal

Timeline / Start + Destination

· Start: Kumar — Morrisville, NC (KHNZ)

· Second to last destination: Krish — Atlanta, GA (KPDK)

· Goal: Wrap at the Oshkosh 2026 meetup at KOSH

Opt-In

We’ll open an initial registration list for anyone who wants to be included in the planned route. But remember: you can also jump in anytime (registered or not) by flying to Baloo’s current location and taking him onward, as long as you coordinate with the current holder.

We’ll publish an initial planned route, and then… let the steals begin.

Baloo’s ready. DOPA, let’s make this bear’s logbook legendary. ✈️🐻

Reply / sign up when the registration post goes live, and start thinking about where you want Baloo to visit.