Navigation

Instruction - Learn to Fly a Hot Air Balloon

You have always wanted to fly in a balloon.  A hot air balloon flight is one of the most frequent "bucket list" items.

  

I would also bet the idea of becoming a pilot is one of those things you have thought or possibly dreamt about.

What are you waiting for?  We have helped scores of people learn to fly over the years.

Learning to fly a balloon requires a specific set of motor skills:


Who We Are

There are two pathways to achieve your pilot certificate.  Yes, it is a certificate not a license.  There is actually no such thing as a pilots license. 

 

You can choose to train for your certificate under Part 141 or Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.  The main difference being in in intensity and timing.  For those students who have the ability to dedicate a  solid block of 10 - 14 days for a rigorous flight program a Part 141 school may be the best fit.    For those students interested in training under Part 141, we work with, and recommend Balloon the Rockies Flight school.

We specialize in training Private and Commercial students under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.  Part 61 allows a pathway to train students on a one-on-one, basis where we customize a training program for the unique needs of the student.  We adjust our structured training curriculum to:

Our chief flight instructor has over 15 years of training experience and has participated in training students from across the US as well as international students from Central and South America, Europe, and the Pacific rim.

In addition, he has been recognized with the designation of Flight Instructor from the Balloon Federation of America and has achieved the designation as an Elite Balloon Instructor Program as fueled by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

In addition, our network of instructors has a combined 60 plus years of instructing students in flying hot air balloons.

We are poised and ready to help you achieve your training goals in earning your pilot certificate.


Student Pilot Certificate

  

Obtaining a student pilot's certificate is the first step on the pathway to becoming a hot air balloon pilot. 

The general requirements for Student Pilot are:

There is no cost to obtain a Student Pilot certificate.  You may start the process by completing an FAA form 8710-1.  After you have completed the form you may take it to your local FAA Flight Standards District Office or any Designated Pilot Examiner for submission.  We highly recommend obtaining you Student Certificate as soon as possible.  There are some training activities for Student pilots that can not be accomplished until you have your certificate in your possession.

Student Pilots may solo after demonstration to their flight proficiency to their instructor and by passing a written quiz that they are familiar with
14 CFR Part 91 and Part 61 airspace where the solo will take place, the balloons flight characteristics and limitation and are proficient in balloon operation of pre-flight preparation, operation of controls, lift-off and climb, descent and landing and emergency situations.

A student pilot may not carry passengers or fly a balloon for hire.

Cost - There is no cost associated with obtaining a Student Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

Reference - FAA CFR Part 61 - Subpart C—Student Pilots


Private Pilot Certificate

   

A Private Pilot Certificate allows you to conduct flight operations on your own without and instructor or supervision.  You can carry passengers and fly in any airspace where flight operations are allowed.  You must follow and conform with all FAA regulations that are or would be in effect for the area and place of the flight.  You may NOT receive compensation for any flight operation but you can share the operational costs on a pro-rata basis with your passengers.

General Requirements for a Private Pilot Certificate are:

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that students pass the FAA knowledge exam for the desired rating prior to starting any flight training.  For all most all of our students we require it.

Cost - Private Pilot training costs are $350 per flight assuming the student provides the aircraft.  Private Pilot students should plan on an expenditure of $5,000 to $6,000 depending on their performance.  We can provide an aircraft at an additional hourly charge of $250 per flight hour. Typical flights are 1.0 to 2.0 hours in length depending on conditions and location.  Ground instruction costs are $75 per hour.  If needed, crew can be provided for an additional charge of $75 per training flight. 

Reference - FAA CFR Part 61 - Subpart E—Private Pilots


Commercial Pilot Certificate

     

General Requirements for a Commercial Pilot Certificate are:

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that students pass the FAA knowledge exam for the desired rating prior to starting any flight training.  For all most all of our students we require it.

Cost - Commercial Pilot training costs are $385 per flight, assuming the student provides the aircraft. Private Pilot students and students doing an add on to an existing FAA Pilot certificate should plan on an expenditure of $4,000 to $4,500 depending on their performance and prior flight experiences.   We can provide an aircraft at an additional hourly charge of $250 per flight hour. Typical flights are 1.0 to 2.0 hours in length depending on conditions and location.  Ground instruction costs are $75 per hour.  If needed, crew can be provided for an additional charge of $75 per training flight. 

Reference - FAA CFR Part 61 - Subpart F—Commercial Pilots


Flight Review

For holders of pilot certificates issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration a flight review is a review required of every active holder of a U.S. pilot certificate at least every 24 calendar months. The flight review consists of

For the non-Wings flight the requirements are:

Before being able to act as pilot in command (PIC) a pilot must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 calendar months.

It is important to note that a flight review is not a test. There are no pass or fail criteria, although the instructor giving the review can decline to endorse your log-book for a flight review has been unsatisfactorily.

Cost - Flight review training costs are $250 per flight assuming the student provides the aircraft.   We can provide an aircraft at an additional hourly charge of $250 per flight hour. Typical flights are 1.0 hour in length depending on conditions and location.   If needed, crew can be provided for an additional charge of $75 per training flight. 

Reference - FAASafety/Wings Flight Review Checklist, FAA Requirements and Wings Flight Review Info