Becoming a hot air balloon pilot

Often after seeing a hot air balloon in flight, many people gain an interest in ballooning and frequently wonder what it takes to be a pilot. The first stage to becoming a pilot is to learn all of the duties of the crew members. This may involve you working as a crew member to gain the necessary experience.

To become a pilot you must be at least 14 years old and be in good health, take a written exam and pass a flight test with an FAA registered examiner.

You will need to keep a Pilot Log Book and maintain a record of all of your ground and flight training. All commercial balloon pilots have flight instructor privileges, so you will need to find a commercial pilot that has the spare time to take you on as a student.

There are two types of pilots licence, a private licence and a commercial licence. A private licence allows you to take passengers up, but you cannot charge them. Only a commercial pilot’s licence can allow you to operate a balloon for hire.

To gain a private pilot’s licence requirements you to; complete 10 hours of flight instruction, pass a written knowledge test, complete a ground school study course and pass a flight test with an FAA instructor.

A commercial pilot’s licence can be achieved by; accomplishing 35 hours of flight instruction, completing the ground school study course and passing the knowledge and flight tests.

Once you have completed your training you will be issued with a Lighter-That-Air private or commercial licence that will allow you to be in command of your very own hot air balloon.