FAA Private Pilot - Balloon, Hot Air (PBH) key terms

Controlled airspace around the busiest airports, depicted as layered rings on sectional charts, where a pilot must receive an explicit clearance before entering and typically needs a transponder with altitude reporting.

Controlled airspace surrounding an airport with an operating control tower, usually extending from the surface to about 2,500 feet above the airport, requiring two-way radio contact before entry.

Uncontrolled airspace where no air traffic clearance is required; balloon pilots often launch and land here and must rely on see-and-avoid and right-of-way rules rather than controller separation.

The 30-nautical-mile ring around a Class B primary airport where an operating transponder with automatic altitude reporting is generally required, subject to limited exceptions listed in the regulations.

A colored beam directed from a control tower to an aircraft without radio communication; steady green means cleared to land or taxi, flashing red means return to the field and land, and alternating red and green means exercise extreme caution.

A situation in which a pilot cannot transmit or receive by radio; the pilot should squawk 7600 if equipped, remain clear of controlled airspace unless previously cleared, and land as soon as practical.

An airborne radar beacon device that replies to ground interrogations, allowing air traffic control to identify the aircraft; balloon installations are optional in many cases but required in certain airspace.

A four-digit octal code set on the transponder to identify the aircraft to air traffic control; 1200 is the standard visual flight rules code in the United States, while 7500, 7600, and 7700 signal hijacking, radio failure, and emergency.

The fabric bag of a hot air balloon, usually nylon or polyester, that captures heated air; its size, shape, and coating determine lift capacity, drag, and how efficiently heat is retained.

The propane-fueled heating unit mounted below the envelope mouth that produces the flame used to warm the internal air; its output and the pilot's control of burn duration govern climb and level flight.

A valve in the burner assembly that releases liquid propane without igniting it, producing a rapid cooling and shrinking effect used to descend quickly or to control a balloon that is climbing too fast.

A large fabric flap at the top of the envelope, opened by a control line to release hot air; it is the primary means of initiating and controlling descent and is used for rapid deflation after landing.

Strong fabric straps sewn into the envelope from mouth to crown that carry the weight of the balloon and its occupants down to the suspension cables and basket, forming the structural skeleton of the balloon.

The wicker or composite gondola that carries pilot, passengers, and fuel tanks; it is attached to the envelope by suspension cables and must be rated for the total load it carries.

Stainless steel or galvanized wires running from the load tapes of the envelope to quick-release carabiners at the basket, transmitting all flight and landing loads.

The propane tanks, hoses, regulator, and burner plumbing that supply vaporized fuel to the burner; pilots must know tank quantity, pressure, and the location of shutoff valves before every flight.

The highest total weight, including envelope, basket, fuel, occupants, and equipment, at which the balloon is certificated to operate; exceeding it degrades performance and is prohibited.

The weight of the balloon including envelope, basket, suspension system, and permanently installed equipment, excluding fuel and occupants; it is the starting point for every weight and balance computation.

The difference between maximum gross weight and empty weight; it represents the weight available for pilot, passengers, fuel, and baggage and shrinks as fuel and occupants are added.

The calculation confirming that the balloon's total weight stays within limits and that the load is distributed so the basket hangs level and the envelope remains stable in flight.

Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature; high density altitude reduces the lift generated by a given volume of heated air and lengthens takeoff and landing distances.

The altitude indicated when the altimeter is set to 29.92 inches of mercury; it is the basis for computing density altitude and for reading performance charts.

The upward force produced by the difference between the density of the heated air inside the envelope and the cooler ambient air outside; it increases with hotter internal air and greater envelope volume.

The condition in which lift exactly balances total weight, so the balloon neither climbs nor descends; pilots maintain it by small, timely burns and by venting when the balloon rises.

A temporary upward force during inflation or early flight caused by wind flowing over the envelope or by a sudden temperature difference, which can make the balloon feel lighter than it actually is.

A rising column of warm air created by uneven surface heating; balloonists use thermals to gain altitude but must anticipate turbulence, sink, and shifting winds near them.

The change in wind speed and direction with height, usually stronger and veering with altitude; it affects steering because pilots change altitude to find a favorable wind layer.

In a free balloon, controlling direction by changing altitude to enter a wind layer moving the desired way; there is no direct heading control, so the pilot must know wind forecasts at several levels.

Preflight preparation of route, fuel, weight and balance, weather, airspace, and landing options; for balloons it emphasizes wind forecasts at multiple altitudes and alternate landing areas.

The temperature to which air must cool for water vapor to condense; when the spread between temperature and dew point is small, fog and low ceilings become likely and can cancel a launch.

A layer in which temperature increases with height, trapping cooler air and often smoke or haze below; it can produce calm surface winds but also poor visibility and unusual wind shear aloft.

A cumulonimbus cloud with strong updrafts, downdrafts, hail, lightning, and gusty surface winds; balloon pilots avoid flying near or beneath them because wind shifts and downdrafts are uncontrollable.

A shortage of oxygen reaching body tissues, causing impaired judgment, euphoria, and headache; it can occur at moderate altitudes in unpressurized balloons, especially in cold conditions or with exertion.

Rapid or deep breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide, producing dizziness, tingling, and confusion that can mimic hypoxia; treatment is to slow the breathing rate and calm the patient.

Illness caused by breathing colorless, odorless carbon monoxide, a risk when burner combustion occurs in poorly ventilated spaces or from contaminated air; symptoms include headache, nausea, and confusion.

A systematic process for choosing the safest course of action by identifying hazards, assessing risk, and applying tools such as checklists and personal minimums before and during flight.

Self-imposed limits on wind, visibility, ceiling, fuel, and passenger load that a pilot will not exceed, set in advance to keep pressure and emotion from overriding good judgment.

The ongoing evaluation of hazards such as weather, terrain, fuel, and pilot condition, used to decide whether to launch, continue, or divert before a situation becomes an emergency.

A planned or unplanned touchdown away from an airport, often in a field; balloonists select large open areas, avoid power lines and livestock, and brief passengers on the brace position beforehand.

A controlled descent achieved by opening the parachute valve fully and, if needed, using the blast valve, used when a quick landing is required or to stop a balloon that is drifting toward hazards.

Running out of propane, which ends the ability to heat the envelope and forces a descent; prevention includes knowing tank contents, checking pressure, and landing with a planned reserve.

The regulatory priority rules for converging aircraft; balloons have the right of way over most other categories, and no aircraft may pass so close as to create a collision hazard.

The preflight meeting in which the pilot assigns chase-crew duties, reviews launch and landing procedures, communications, and emergency actions so everyone knows their role before the balloon inflates.

The required preflight explanation to passengers covering the basket, handholds, burner operation, landing brace position, and the need to follow the pilot's instructions during flight and landing.