This page gives an indication of the legal requirements you need to fulfill to obtain a Balloon Pilots Licence. 
PPL Licence Requirements
A hot air balloon is a registered aircraft, the same as any fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. As such the person in command must hold a valid Private Pilot’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
specifically for ballooning; this is known as the PPL.
Although anyone with average ability can fulfil the requirements for the PPL outlined below, it is not an activity to be taken lightly. As a pilot you must be sufficiently competent at operating the balloon and have such knowledge to be able to cope with any problems or circumstances that may arise. In addition you will be responsible for the lives of the people you might carry in the basket.
PPL requirements
• Take written examination in Aviation Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Balloon Systems and Human Performance.
• Complete the written examinations and flight test within a 24 month period.
• Minimum flying experience of 16 hours within 24 months.
• A minimum of 6 flights
• A minimum of 4 flights with a BBAC approved Instructor; the rest may be with any valid PPL.
• To be recommended by a BBAC approved Instructor for a flight test.
• To undertake a flight test examination with a CAA approved Examiner.
• Perform a solo flight under the supervision of the Examiner.
• To keep a flight log with flight training records completed by the instructing pilot.
• To keep a BBAC training log; this is a requirement of the BBAC not the CAA.
• Medical examination declaration of fitness signed by your GP.
• Attend an approved Landowner Relations Seminar.
Do not be daunted, the standard required is based on common sense, not academic brilliance!
Latest proposals from EASA. EASA Proposals for Pilot Licences, Training, Medicals, Instructors & Examiners Remember the lovely fun we all had getting EASA to decide that a hangar wasn’t really needed for inspecting a balloon or that we really did need to transport cylinders with fuel in? Well this is another EASA/Euro emergency that needs your input if we are to stop these maniacs destroying another corner of our sport or, for some, livelihood. Just as before there are not a few areas where the proposals do not work for us balloonists, nothing new there, having been dreamt up by those that know little or nothing of the sport or are blinkered to the EASA cause. Please, we need your response to a thing called NPA 2008-17 (17b & 17c) which concerns the new proposed rules governing Medicals, Licensing, Training, Instructors, Examiners. To save you the trouble of trawling through the 647 pages of the wretched thing, the Buckshot Group has been studied it with the aid of a fine tooth comb and sorted the bits that directly affect us and that we should fight with the utmost tenacity. These have been conveniently listed following this chapter!! Now, EASA have had so few comments from balloonists that they think we are happy with their proposals. This is mainly because there is another NPA on Flight Ops due out very soon and it doesn’t take very much nuance to realise that the two are interlinked and that EASA have possibly dealt with them the wrong way round! Clearly EASA are trying very hard to steamroller legislation through in double-quick time, hoping that much will go unchallenged. Sadly for them, especially in the case of the BBAC, they are wrong. We have left it as long as we can and to finalise and publish our concerns but please note, the final date for comments on EASA proposals for new pilot licences is now 28 February 2009 and approaching fast. We have done all we can to pressure EASA and register our concerns and now we need your help. A full analysis with suggested comments was published in Pilot’s Circular August 2008. Since then we have had Christmas so it has probably been forgotten about. You need to act now so please carefully, read the main points of concern and respond now. The more responses we get registered on the EASA comment site the better the chance of success. This is the latest list and updates the August one. As before the BBAC comment is only a guideline. You need to register your comments and concerns in your own words. If the BBAC script is copied and pasted by everyone the EASA bandit computer will treat the comments as one. That’s EURO democracy, in case you hadn’t realised! If you wish to comment on any other points please feel free. If you don’t fully agree with the BBAC stance comment anyway. Sign your comment with your name and ‘BBAC member’ if you wish. Whether you are a pilot, trainee, or just enjoy the sport please comment, the more the merrier. So, the following covers the main points of concern. We only have until the 28th February to comment. You need to comment as soon as possible, don’t leave it to the last day otherwise your comment may only get recorded and not read. To comment you need to register with EASA as described on the final page and then you will be able to post your comment, using the CRT (Comment Response Tool) against the proposal. Please do this now. The Buckshot Group have put in an enormous amount of time to get this far don’t let that be wasted. There will be another NPA that we will require your help with coming out very soon so watch this space. It just needs us to thank you for your attention and, please, now read on. If you need any help or guidance please mail Dave Court (BBAC Training Officer) training@bbac.org in the first instance. EASA DOCUMENT NPA 2008-17b MED A 030 Page 4 BBAC – please support the idea that a GP can conduct the LPL medical. Some vested interests in Europe are fighting against this. We would prefer the medical to be based on the HGV and car driving standards. Unfortunately levels of fitness for driving are not yet agreed throughout the EU. At least if GPs are allowed to conduct the LPL Medical there should be sufficient numbers available. LPL LEISURE PILOT LICENCE – NPA 2008 17b BBAC – The idea of a proficiency check with an Examiner will concern some members. This is a requirement of the European Parliament it is not something EASA have asked for. It is very unlikely this can be changed. Every six years a large number of Examiners will be required to conduct all these proficiency checks. It would be better if Instructors were allowed to conduct these as there are more Instructors available. RECENCY FCL 060 Page 9 (a) This will affect a number of pilots who do not fly over the winter. It is sensible to fly with another pilot for you first flight of the season. As no commercial flying is allowed on a LPL there is not the option to say “paying passengers” rather than “passengers”. One option would be to ask for this to apply to BPL only. MAXIMUM ENVELOPE SIZE FCL 105 B Page 17 LIMIT ON PASSENGERS FCL 105 B Page 17 The maximum number on board does not tally with the envelope size for UK flying. The maximum size (140) is there for hot and high countries where a 140 may be necessary in the summer to fly 4 people or in the winter to fly 4 people with a large reserve of gas. BBAC suggest that pilot plus 4 be allowed as this would be a typical basket for a syndicate with a 105 flying in the UK. Or ask for pilot plus 5 as this is the maximum allowed in a non partitioned basket (with turning vents). TRAINING HOURS FCL 110 B Page 17 BBAC – We would prefer that only a certain number of the training flights are with Instructors. The problem is that most other countries in Europe require all training with Instructors. Some EU countries have serious safety concerns about some of their P1s being allowed to train. We can object to this but it is a fight we are very unlikely to win. The BBAC are increasing numbers of Instructors to cope with this major change to the way we train in the UK. One good point is that there is no longer a two year rolling period in which to accumulate hours so students will no longer “lose” hours. BPL BALLOON PILOT LICENCE (SUMMARY) CURRENCY FCL 140 B Page 17 (same as LPL) At least once every 6 years pass a proficiency check with an Examiner. If pilot is qualified for more than one class of balloons (eg airship or gas) must complete at least two flights on the other class in previous 24 months. BBAC – The idea of a proficiency check with an Examiner will concern some members. This is a requirement of the European Parliament it is not something EASA have asked for. It is very unlikely this can be changed. Every six years a large number of Examiners will be required to conduct all these proficiency checks. It would be better if Instructors were allowed to conduct these as there are more Instructors available. RECENCY FCL 060 Page 9 (a) BBAC – In effect if you have not flown for 90 days you need to make one solo flight or one flight with another pilot. This will affect a number of pilots who do not fly over the winter. It is sensible to fly with another pilot for you first flight of the season. It might be better if the recency requirement applied to “paying passengers” rather than “passengers”. AGE LIMITS FCL 065 Page 9 Above age 60 a pilot will require a second pilot to supervise them. When the NPA on OPS is issued we hope that EASA will clarify the CAT issue. If flying passengers in balloons is deemed to be Commercial Air Transport then the above age limits will apply to rides pilots. BBAC – there is no medical evidence or safety evidence to support these age limits. If a pilot can pass a medical they should be allowed to fly passengers. A second pilot is not financially viable. This may also affect Instructors and Examiners. As soon as the NPA on OPS is issued we will provide further guidance. The age limits may also contravene equality laws. TRAINING HOURS FCL 210 B Page 23 (same as LPL) BBAC – We would prefer that only a certain number of the training flights are with Instructors. The problem is that most other countries in Europe require all training with Instructors. Some EU countries have serious safety concerns about some of their P1s being allowed to train. We can object to this but it is a fight we are very unlikely to win. The BBAC are increasing numbers of Instructors to cope with this major change to the way we train in the UK. EASA PROPOSALS FOR INSTRUCTORS The BBAC system gives each applicant credit for successfully training three students on the basis that if three of your students have succeeded you are teaching along the correct lines. The EASA system requires 30 hours of classroom teaching which concentrates on the theory of teaching and learning rather than the theory of ballooning (pages 398 to 401). BBAC would like to see this course broken down so that after an initial 15 hours classroom training an Instructor could train to a certain level (eg not authorise solos). After completing the remaining 15 hours they could then train to a higher level. 30 hours in a classroom before any instruction can be given will discourage some from applying. There are two types of instructor proposed: LAFI (Light Aircraft Flight Instructor) A LAFI allows a LPL holder to give flight instruction without payment. In theory they can only instruct for the LPL. A FI can instruct for the LPL and BPL. A FI can receive payment for instruction whether they hold a commercial endorsement or not. BBAC – we would prefer LAFI and FI to both be allowed to instruct for both licences. The only difference should be that a FI can be paid and a LAFI cannot. EASA PROPOSALS FOR EXAMINERS One important point to note is that under the present proposals an Examiner cannot examine anyone they have done any training flights at all with (Page 64 FCL 1005). This is far stricter than the current BBAC requirement where an Examiner can train and examine a student as long as another Instructor carries out the recommendation flight. The BBAC would prefer an Examiner to be allowed to carry out some of a student’s training without them being excluded from examining them. This will ensure that a student can have a couple of lessons (or a mock test) with a local examiner without then being forced to travel to a different area for their GFT to find an examiner who they have done no training at all with. In the UK an Examiner can train a student and examine them provided another Instructor has carried out their recommendation flight. HOW TO CONTACT EASA To comment on the NPA you need to register with EASA. http://hub.easa.europa.eu When the page opens click on CRT (Comment/Response Tool) Click Register Enter your details as required. Once you are registered you will be able to post comments against each of the NPAs. TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE NPA To make a comment you need to log in to the CRT (as above). Click on “view documents” Find the NPA you want to comment on (NPA 2008-17b) Right click on NPA 2008-17b When the box appears choose “add/edit comments” When the NPA opens on screen hover your mouse pointer over the text you want to comment on and it will become highlighted in yellow. When the text is highlighted right click. When the box appears choose “add comment” A box will appear so that you can type a comment which will then be linked to that section of the NPA for EASA to view. Then move on to the next section you want to comment on. Some sessions can “time out” which will cause you to lose your data. It is best to read the NPA separately and prepare your comments which will save time. You can type your comments in word and then paste them into the appropriate sections. Or comment on a section at a time and then save. Thankyou all very much – BBAC Buckshot Group
The comment form (CRT) can be found at: http://hub.easa.europa.eu
MEDICALS – Part Medical 2008-17c
LPL Medical Certificates shall be issued by an AeMC (aeromedical centre) AME (aero medical examiner) or GMP (general medical practitioner) where permitted under national law (eg UK).
CURRENCY FCL 140 B Page 17
In previous 24 months – 12 hours as P1 including 8 take offs and landings or
In previous 24 months – 6 hours as P1 and one training flight with an Instructor
At least once every 6 years pass a proficiency check with an Examiner.
If pilot is qualified for more than one class of balloons (eg airship or gas) must complete at least two flights on the other class in previous 24 months.
A Pilot shall not operate a balloon in commercial air transport or carrying passengers unless he/she has completed in the preceding 90 days at least one take off approach and landing as a pilot flying in a balloon.
BBAC – we expected this to apply to BPL only but it is written in the general section that applies to both LPL and BPL. In effect if you have not flown for 90 days you need to make one solo flight or one flight with another pilot.
Because the LPL is a “leisure” licence to allow pilots without a Class 2 medical to continue flying a restriction has been put on the envelope size. The size limit has been set at 4000M3 (approx 140).
Because the LPL is a “leisure” licence for pilots without a Class 2 medical a limit of 4 on board has been set (pilot plus 3). This has been selected to tie in with other aviation and also 4 persons in a basket (without turning vents) should allow not more than 2 to fall onto each other.
16 hours training will be required. All training will be with Instructors. No time limit has been set for the 16 hours so a student will not “lose” hours in the same way as they do under the UK system (UK requires 16 hours in 24 months).
In previous 24 months – 12 hours as P1 including 8 take offs and landings or
In previous 24 months – 6 hours as P1 and one training flight with an Instructor
A Pilot shall not operate a balloon in commercial air transport or carrying passengers unless he/she has completed in the preceding 90 days at least one take off approach and landing as a pilot flying in a balloon.
Age limits are proposed for pilots who are engaged in CAT (Commercial Air Transport):
From age 65 a pilot will not be allowed to carry out any CAT flying.
16 hours training will be required. All training will be with Instructors. No time limit has been set for the 16 hours so a student will not “lose” hours in the same way as they do under the UK system (16 hours in 24 months).
EASA have published their requirements for Instructor Certificates (pages 45-53 and 394-395). Their system requires far more classroom based training than our current system.
FI (Flight Instructor)
EASA have published qualifications for Examiner Certificates (pages 64-72 and 576-582). There will be no limit to the number of Examiners, supply and demand will dictate the numbers. Each Examiner must carry out a minimum number of check outs to maintain their certificate so if too many apply there will not be enough students for all the new Examiners to remain current.
