Commercial and Private Hot Air Balloon Flight Instruction

What does it take to become a balloon pilot? Motivation, training, commitment are very important and a good attitude.

A pilot must be able to approach each flight with the highest standards of safety and performance and be motivated to keep improving long after the FAA certificate has been earned. In addition, there are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements that must be satisfied.

Student, Private, and Commercial pilot certificates apply to balloons ... The requirements are outlined below:

Student Pilot: Every applicant starts as a student pilot. Your flight instructor will help you obtain a Student Pilot Certificate from the local FAA office or FAA Designated Examiner. If you have already obtained a FAA certificate to pilot any other type of aircraft, a new student certificate is not required.

When your instructor feels that you have met all of the requirements, he may authorize you to perform solo flights. You are then able to practice flying by yourself (under his supervision), without passengers and while holding the appropriate logbook endorsements.

Private Pilot: To become a private pilot, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Read, speak, write and understand English
• Have at least 10 hours of training which must include the following:
• 6 flights with an instructor
• One solo flight
• One ascent to 2000 feet above the takeoff point
• 2 flights of 1 hour each within 60 days prior to rating application
• Pass the written FAA Knowledge Test (or at a minimum, hold a Private Pilot Certificate for powered aircraft).
• Pass the Practical Knowledge test (oral and flight) given by a designated FAA Flight Examiner or FAA Inspector.

Commercial Pilot: To become a commercial pilot, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Read, speak, write and understand English
• Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
• Have at least 35 hours of training, including 20 hours in balloons, which must include the following:
• 10 flights in balloons
• 10 hours of flight training that includes at least 10 flights with an instructor
• Two flights as pilot in command
• One ascent to 3000 feet above the takeoff point
• 2 flights of 1 hour each within 60 days prior to rating application
• Pass the written FAA Knowledge Test (or at a minimum, hold a Private Pilot Certificate for powered aircraft).
• Pass the Practical Knowledge Test (oral and flight) given by a designated FAA Flight Examiner or FAA Inspector.

We will prepare you to take the written FAA Knowledge Tests and provide you with the equipment and instruction required to prepare for the Practical Knowledge Test (oral and flight) given by a designated FAA Flight Examiner or FAA Inspector.

RATES: Flight Instruction in our equipment is $350.00 per hour of dual instruction. Using your own Equipment is $150 per hour for dual instruction and you supply the chase.

Use the Reservation Form to request additional information or to schedule flight instructions.