FAA Private Pilot - Balloon, Hot Air (PBH) cheat sheet

A student pilot certificate has no expiration date; the accompanying medical certificate sets the duration (Class 3: 60 calendar months under age 40, 24 calendar months at age 40 and older).

Private pilot privileges require a current flight review (24 calendar months, §61.56) and, for carrying passengers, three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in the same category and class.

For balloons, passenger-carrying currency under §61.57(a) is met with three takeoffs and landings in a balloon within the preceding 90 days; a balloon has no class rating, only the lighter-than-air category with the hot air rating.

BasicMed (§68) allows a private pilot to act as PIC without a Class 3 medical if a physician completes the checklist and the pilot holds a valid driver's license; balloon operations are permitted under BasicMed.

§61.23 requires a medical certificate or BasicMed qualification to act as PIC of a balloon, except when operating a balloon as a student pilot solo with the required endorsements.

Logging time: a pilot may log PIC time only for the time during which the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated (§61.51(e)).

A balloon pilot must hold a category rating (lighter-than-air) and, since 2021, a type rating for balloons requiring type ratings above 200,000 cubic feet; smaller balloons need only the hot air rating.

Alcohol: no person may act as crew member within 8 hours after consuming alcohol, while under the influence (0.04% BAC or higher), or while using any drug that affects safety; refusal to submit to testing is a violation.

Preflight action (§91.103) requires the pilot to become familiar with all available information, including weather, fuel/ballast requirements, and known traffic delays, before departure.

Class G airspace is uncontrolled and, below 1,200 ft AGL during the day, requires only 1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds; at night, 3 SM visibility and 500 ft below/1,000 ft above/2,000 ft horizontal cloud clearance.

Class E surface-area and Class D airspace require 3 SM visibility and 500 ft below/1,000 ft above/2,000 ft horizontal cloud clearance; Class B requires 3 SM and clear of clouds.

Balloon operations in Class B, C, or D airspace require prior ATC authorization; a transponder with Mode C is required in Class B and above 10,000 ft MSL (unless otherwise authorized).

Class C requires a two-way radio and Mode C transponder and a 20 NM outer area; Class D requires two-way radio communication established before entry.

Special use airspace: prohibited areas are off-limits; restricted areas require permission when active; MOAs and alert areas require only heightened vigilance, not clearance.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are issued by NOTAM and prohibit flight within the defined area; check NOTAMs before every flight, including stadium TFRs.

A balloon may not be operated over congested areas at a height below 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontal, or elsewhere below 500 ft AGL, except for takeoff and landing.

Class A airspace begins at 18,000 ft MSL and requires an instrument rating and clearance; hot air balloons are not normally operated there.

Surface wind is the primary limiting factor for launch; sustained winds above about 8-10 kt or gusts above 5 kt make launch and landing difficult for most light balloons.

Temperature inversion (stable air) produces calm surface winds but can trap the balloon in a shallow layer and cause rapid descent when the inversion breaks.

Density altitude increases with high temperature, high elevation, and high humidity; higher density altitude reduces lift and requires a larger balloon or lighter load.

Thunderstorms and their associated gust fronts, downbursts, and microbursts are the most dangerous weather hazard; avoid launching when convective activity is forecast within the operating area.

METAR/TAF provide surface winds, visibility, and cloud cover; winds aloft forecasts (FD) give winds and temperatures at 3,000, 6,000, 9,000, and 12,000 ft, useful for planning drift.

A ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer; balloon flight under VFR requires cloud clearance of 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontal (Class E/G).

The standard lapse rate is about 2°C per 1,000 ft; a balloon ascending into colder air needs more heat to maintain altitude, and descending into warmer air tends to rise.

Fog and low stratus form when the temperature-dew point spread is small (typically 2-3°C or less); a small spread at launch time indicates high risk of reduced visibility.

Lift is produced by the difference between the density of the heated air inside the envelope and the cooler ambient air outside; the greater the temperature difference, the greater the lift.

Gross lift = envelope volume × (ambient density − heated density); for a 77,000 ft³ balloon, each 1°C of excess temperature produces roughly 20-25 lb of lift.

Weight & balance: total weight = envelope, basket, burner, fuel, pilot, passengers, and equipment; the difference between gross lift and total weight is the usable (net) lift.

A minimum net lift of about 80-100 lb per person is a common planning margin; a balloon with negative net lift cannot launch.

Maximum continuous burn temperature is limited by envelope fabric (typically 250°F/121°C for standard nylon); exceeding it accelerates fabric degradation and can cause failure.

Fuel planning: propane consumption is roughly 1 gallon per 15-20 minutes of flight in still air, more in cold or turbulent conditions; plan a 30-minute reserve.

Rate of climb depends on excess lift and total mass; a heavily loaded balloon climbs slowly and requires longer burns and more fuel.

Descending requires cooling the envelope; a fully loaded balloon descends faster than a light one because the same heat loss produces a greater change in density relative to mass.

The envelope is typically ripstop nylon or polyester; the crown contains a parachute valve (deflection port) opened by a red line to vent hot air for descent or rapid deflation.

The burner assembly uses liquid propane vaporized in coils; a typical system has a main blast valve, a whisper burner for quiet/low-output heat, and a pilot light.

Fuel tanks are aluminum or stainless steel propane cylinders; each is fitted with a pressure gauge, an on/off valve, and a liquid/vapor valve.

The basket is woven wicker or rattan over a metal frame; it holds the burner frame, fuel tanks, instruments, and occupants, and absorbs landing energy.

Instruments include an altimeter, a variometer (vertical speed), an envelope temperature gauge, a fuel pressure gauge, and increasingly GPS.

The altimeter must be set to the local altimeter setting before flight; balloon altimeters are typically set to field elevation or QNH as appropriate for the area.

The variometer shows rate of climb or descent in feet per minute, helping the pilot anticipate the lag between burner input and vertical response.

Required equipment for day VFR balloons includes an altimeter, and for operations in certain airspace a transponder and encoding altimeter; check §91.205.

Balloon navigation is constrained to the wind; the pilot steers by changing altitude to find winds of different direction, using winds-aloft forecasts and visual cues.

Preflight planning includes a map of the launch site, forecast surface and upper winds, a chase-crew plan, and identified landing areas along the expected track.

The pilot should compute expected drift (wind speed × time) and identify alternate landing sites at intervals along the projected path.

Sectional charts show airspace, obstructions, and landmarks; the balloon pilot uses them to avoid Class B/C/D airspace and restricted areas.

A flight plan is not required for VFR balloon flight, but a chase crew and a responsible person should know the intended route and expected landing time.

Density altitude and wind forecasts determine the launch decision; if forecast winds exceed the balloon's capability or drift toward unsuitable terrain, postpone.

Time aloft is limited by fuel; plan fuel for the intended flight plus a 30-minute reserve, and monitor fuel pressure throughout the flight.

GPS and moving-map displays aid position awareness, but the pilot must remain proficient in pilotage and dead reckoning and cross-check the display.

Hypoxia symptoms include euphoria, impaired judgment, headache, and cyanosis; balloon operations are usually at low altitude, but hypoxia can occur with altitude or carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide from an improperly adjusted burner or a leak can cause headache, dizziness, and confusion; ensure adequate ventilation and inspect the burner system.

Dehydration and heat stress are common in ballooning because of burner heat and layered clothing; drink water and dress in layers.

The IMSAFE checklist (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion) is a preflight self-assessment for fitness to fly.

The DECIDE model (Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate) provides a structured approach to in-flight decision making.

Spatial disorientation is less common in balloons than in airplanes but can occur during rapid climbs or descents in reduced visibility; rely on instruments.

Fatigue and complacency are significant risks on early-morning flights; plan rest and avoid flying when tired.

Crew resource management applies to ballooning through clear communication with the chase crew and passengers, especially during landing.

If the pilot light goes out, shut off the main blast valve and relight the pilot light using the igniter; never allow unburned propane to accumulate in the envelope.

A fuel leak or fire in the basket requires shutting off the fuel valve, landing immediately, and evacuating occupants.

If the envelope catches fire, pull the red rip line to deflate the envelope and land as soon as possible; the priority is getting occupants out of the basket.

A hard landing or high-wind landing requires the pilot to keep occupants in the basket, use the rip line to deflate, and have the chase crew secure the basket.

If the balloon drifts toward unsuitable terrain or airspace, vent or burn to change altitude and find a favorable wind; if unable, land in a safe area.

The rapid deflation (rip) line must be checked during preflight and kept clear; a stuck rip line can prevent deflation on landing.

Emergency equipment should include a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and a means of communication (radio or cell phone).

Landowner relations: after landing, obtain permission before crossing property, and avoid damaging crops or fences.

Balloon pilots typically use handheld VHF radios; the standard frequencies are 122.0 MHz for flight service and 121.5 MHz for emergency.

Light-gun signals from ATC: steady green = cleared to land; flashing green = cleared to taxi; steady red = stop; flashing red = taxi clear of runway in use.

Flashing white = return to starting point on airport; alternating red and green = exercise extreme caution.

A steady green light directed at an aircraft in flight means cleared to land; a steady red means continue circling and give way to other aircraft.

Radio communications in Class D airspace should include the balloon's position, altitude, and intentions; use the airport's CTAF or tower frequency.

Lost communication procedures: squawk 7600 if transponder-equipped, and continue to the destination or land at the nearest suitable airport.

Emergency frequency 121.5 MHz is monitored by ATC and search and rescue; use it only for genuine emergencies.

Balloon pilots should monitor CTAF at nontowered airports and announce position and intentions on the appropriate frequency.