Charleston Hot Air Balloons

Balloon Pilot Certification

• Must pass a Federal Aviation written examination.
• There are five theory exams. Topics covered include:
  1. Meteorology
  2. Aerostatics
  3. Airmanship
  4. Navigation
  5. Flight Rules and Procedures
  6. Code of Conduct
• Obtaining the regulated hours of flight time with at least two solo hours
• Must pass a flight test with a FAA examiner
• Furnish a medical statement of health

• Student pilots must be at least 14 years of age.
• No medical certificate is required, but applicant must certify that he has no known medical defect that would prevent him from piloting a balloon.
• Student pilots may solo under the supervision of a qualified instructor, but must first demonstrate to their instructor that they are proficient in pre-flight preparation, operation of controls, lift-off and climb, descent and landing, and emergency procedures.
• Student pilots may not carry passengers.

• You must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible for a private pilot’s certificate.


• No medical certificate is required, but you must certify that you do not have any known medical defects that would prevent you from piloting a balloon
.

• You must pass a written test that will cover:


• FAA Regulations covering pilot privileges, limitations, and flight procedures
• Use of navigation charts
• Weather conditions & reports as they relate to ballooning
• Operating procedures with gas and hot air balloons
• Instruction should have been received in ground handling and inflation, preflight checks, takeoff and ascents, descents and landings, and emergency procedures.
• Must have at least 10 hours of flight experience, of which 6 must have been under the supervision of an instructor.
• Flights must have included:
• Tow flights of at least 30 minutes
• One ascent to 3000 feet above takeoff point
• One solo flight

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• No medical certificate required, but you must certify that you do not have any known medical defects that would prevent you from piloting a balloon.
• You must pass a comprehensive written exam that encompasses all the material required for a Private Pilot Certificate, and additional operating procedures relating to commercial operations and requirements for flight instructors.
• Training for all procedures required for a Private Certification must be received from an authorized instructor, plus emergency recovery from a terminal velocity descent.
• Required 35 hours of flight time for a commercial certificate must include:
• At least 35 hours of flight time as a pilot
• 20 hours of flight time in balloons
• 6 hours of flight time under the supervision of an instructor
• 2 solo flights
• 2 flights of at least one hour duration
• 1 flight to 5000 feet above the take off point