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PILOT INSTRUCTION:
If your fascination for balloons extends beyond a desire to experience a once in a lifetime ride and you wish to obtain your pilot's certificate, we can help . . .
It takes about 15 hours of 'hands on' instruction to obtain the flying skills required to sit and pass your private pilot's flight test. Most students complete the training in one to three months. However, training times vary because much depends upon the student.
A licensed pilot must have completed ground school and flight training with a certified hot air commercial pilot. This process consists of:
Step 1 - Student Pilot:
Every applicant starts as a student. Your flight instructor will help you obtain a Student Pilot certificate from your local FAA office or FAA Designated Examiner. If you have already obtained an FAA certificate to pilot any other type aircraft, a new certificate is not required. When your instructor feels you have met all of the requirements, he or she may authorize you to perform solo flights. You are then able to practice flying by yourself (under your instructors supervision) without passengers and while holding the appropriate log book endorsements.
Step 2 - Private Pilot:
To become a private pilot, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Read, speak, write and understand English.
- 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:
- Two flights of at least 30 minutes
- One ascent to 3000 feet above takeoff point
- One solo flight
Step 3 - Commercial:
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 Pilots 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 15 flights with an
instructor.
- 2 flights as pilot in command.
- 1 ascent to 3000 feet above the takeoff point.
- 2 flights of 1 hour each within 60 days prior to the 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.
We can prepare you for the written FAA knowledge tests and provide you with the equipment and instruction required to prepare for the Practical Standards Test (oral and Flight) given by a designated FAA flight examiner.
Rates for Instruction:
Flight instruction:
$350.00 per hour of dual instruction.
Using your own equipment:
$150.00 per hour for dual instruction
(you must supply the chase)
