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Become a Pilot

THE BALLOON FLIGHT SCHOOL offers flight training programs for the following certificates and ratings:

Student Pilot

For a student pilot's certificate must be contained, successful completion of training leads to private pilots certificate, lighter-than-air category with a free balloon class rating.  After further training and experience a commercial rating may be obtained qualifying an individual to fly for hire or to instruct.  The following are the general requirements for Student, Private and Commercial certificates.

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Requirements

  1. A student must be at least 14 years of age.

  2. He must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

  3. No medical certificate is required.

  4. Student pilot certificate may be issued by FAA inspectors or designated pilot examiners.

  5. Student pilots may solo after demonstration to their instructor by passing a written exam that they are familiar with 14 CFR Part 91 and Part 61 airspace where the solo will take place, the balloons flight characteristics and limitation and are proficient in balloon operation of pre-flight preparation, operation of controls, lift-off and climb, descent and landing and emergency situations.

  6. A student pilot may not carry passengers or fly a balloon for hire.

Private Pilot

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Requirements

  1. A person must be at least 16 years of age.

  2.  He must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

  3. No medical certificate is required.

  4. The applicant must pass a written test on such items as :

    • Pilot privileges, limitation and flight procedures

    • Use of navigation charts

    • Recognition of weather conditions and use of weather reports

    • Operating procedures with hot air balloons

  5. The applicant must have received instruction on the following pilot operations

    1. Ground handing and inflation

    2. Navigation

    3. Airport operations

    4. Preflight checks

    5. Takeoff and ascents

    6. Descents and landings

    7. Emergency conditions and procedures

    8. Post flight procedures

  6. Flight experience must include at least 10 hours in free balloons, which must include 6 flight under the supervision of an instructor.  These flight must include at least the following two training flight of at least one hour within 60 days of the scheduled check ride. One ascent to 2,000 feet above take off point, and one solo flight.  Gas balloon requirements are slightly different.

Commercial Pilot

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Requirements

  1. A person must be at least 18 years of age.

  2.  He must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

  3. No medical certificate is required.

  4. The applicant must pass a more advanced written test on the subject matter listed in 14 CFR 61.125, understand additional operating procedures relating to commercial operations and those duties required of a flight instructor.

  5. Advanced training must be received from an authorized instructor covering those items listed in 14 CFR 61.127 (b)(8).

  6. The applicant for a commercial certificate must have at least 35 of flight time as a pilot of which 20 hours must in balloons ( remaining 15 hours maybe in other aircraft) Flight time must include 10 hours in free balloons.  10 hours under the supervision of an instructor , 2 solo flights, 2 training flights of at least one hour duration within 60 days of the scheduled check ride and one flight to 3,000 feet above the take off point.

  7. The holder of a commercial pilot's certificate may operate a balloon for hire and may give flight instruction.

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