Balloon Pilot Training, Hot Air Ballooning Training, Balloon Flights, Melbourne

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Hot Air Ballooning Training

How to become a Balloon Pilot?

In order to obtain a Balloon Pilot Licence you must learn how to operate a balloon safely and you have to know the rules and regulations that govern flying in Australia. Flight training includes untethered flight (supervised), dual instructional flying, target-height and solo flights as well as Hot Air ground school training. You must also pass theory exams before you are granted a licence. Mark Fraser, Chief Pilot of Go Wild Ballooning is a Commercial Pilot Instructor.

Student Pilot Licence obtained from the Australian Ballooning Federation

 Private Pilot licence - minimum flying under instruction and the following exams must be passed:

• Meteorology
• Flight rules and procedure
• Navigation
• Aerostats and Airmanship
• Land owner code of conduct
• Radio procedures

Pre Flight Test and Flight Test conducted by an Australian Ballooning Federation Examiner

Once you have obtained your private pilot licence, you can then fly non paying passengers in a balloon not exceeding 120,000 cubic feet.

Commercial pilot licence the following requirements must be obtained in a small balloon with non paying passengers

• 75 hours as pilot in command
• 1 year minimum flying experience
• Exam in Meteorology,navigation, flight rules and procedures at Commercial level.
• 8 hours training to become commercial pilot
• Commercial flight test with a Civil Aviation Authority approved examiner of commercial pilots

Once you have obtained your Commercial Licence (Group 1 Endorsement) you can fly passengers in a balloon up to and including 120,000 cubic feet

Group 2 Endorsement (Above 120,000 cubic feet up to and including 180,000 cubic feet) – In order for a Pilot to obtain his Group 2endorsement  the following requirements must be obtained

• 40 hours flying under a charter company  in a Group 1 Balloon + 6 hours training in Group 2 Balloon (180,000 cubic feet)

Group 3 endorsement (Above 180,000 cubic feet up to and including 260,000 cubic feet)  -  the following requirements must be obtained

• 40 hours flying  under charter company  in a Group 2 balloon + 6 hours training in Group 3 Balloon

Group 4 Endorsement (Above 260,000 cubic feet)

• 40 hours under charter company in Group 3 Balloon + 2 hours group training in Group 4 Balloon

Most commercial companies operate Group 2, 3 and 4 Balloons.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Australian Ballooning Federation.

Make sure you check out our specials page for unique hot air ballooning experiences in the Yarra Valley.
 

Unique and memorable balloon flights, Yarra Valley and Melbourne, contact us on (03) 9739 0772