So you want to become a hot air balloon pilot? Well there's a lot more to it then taking a few balloon rides! Pilots have a lot of responsibility to not only keep passengers safe but to also ensure they enjoy their balloon ride to the fullest!
But like many skilled professionals, pilots can't simply take a test and become a pilot. They have to clock up a large amount of hours learning everything about air balloons and how to navigate and pilot hot air balloon rides. But let's start at the beginning.
Becoming A Pilot
Before anybody can even think about becoming a pilot, they need to know a thing or two about hot air balloons. Either by taking a couple of hot air balloon rides with friends and family, or by teaching themselves about the basics of ballooning. This is to ensure those that are interested aren't put off by heights or any of the slightly daunting tasks pilots have to undertake. Those that are still interested are destined to be pilots!
There are also limitations to stop anybody becoming a pilot. The youngest a pilot could ever be is 14, however some ballooning companies can increase that age if they don't feel it is accurate. All newly-qualified pilots have to be shadowed by a professional pilot for their first few balloon rides, to ensure they can put what they've learnt on paper into practice.
Learning The Ropes Whilst On The Job
The next step is all about learning and experiencing. And the best way to learn is through experience, so it's always a good idea to get involved with a local ballooning company and ask if they offer apprenticeships or internships. Most companies do offer these.
So once you're working for a company, the next step is learning and experiencing every role possible within the team. This includes every ground crew role as well, as pilots need to know what the ground team does to enable lift off and landing for all hot air balloon rides. This is why apprentices have to spend a long time learning the ropes before they even set foot inside the basket ready for take-off. But it pays off!
Taking Examinations
Alongside gaining experience trainee pilots do also have to take exams. This is to prove their knowledge of piloting hot air balloon rides but also to test their knowledge on other areas of ballooning. This can include roles of the ground crew, what to do in an emergency and what every bit of equipment of the balloon does. One written exam must be completed as well as a flight test with an FFA (federal Aviation Administration) qualified examiner before qualifying as a pilot.
But like many skilled professionals, pilots can't simply take a test and become a pilot. They have to clock up a large amount of hours learning everything about air balloons and how to navigate and pilot hot air balloon rides. But let's start at the beginning.
Becoming A Pilot
Before anybody can even think about becoming a pilot, they need to know a thing or two about hot air balloons. Either by taking a couple of hot air balloon rides with friends and family, or by teaching themselves about the basics of ballooning. This is to ensure those that are interested aren't put off by heights or any of the slightly daunting tasks pilots have to undertake. Those that are still interested are destined to be pilots!
There are also limitations to stop anybody becoming a pilot. The youngest a pilot could ever be is 14, however some ballooning companies can increase that age if they don't feel it is accurate. All newly-qualified pilots have to be shadowed by a professional pilot for their first few balloon rides, to ensure they can put what they've learnt on paper into practice.
Learning The Ropes Whilst On The Job
The next step is all about learning and experiencing. And the best way to learn is through experience, so it's always a good idea to get involved with a local ballooning company and ask if they offer apprenticeships or internships. Most companies do offer these.
So once you're working for a company, the next step is learning and experiencing every role possible within the team. This includes every ground crew role as well, as pilots need to know what the ground team does to enable lift off and landing for all hot air balloon rides. This is why apprentices have to spend a long time learning the ropes before they even set foot inside the basket ready for take-off. But it pays off!
Taking Examinations
Alongside gaining experience trainee pilots do also have to take exams. This is to prove their knowledge of piloting hot air balloon rides but also to test their knowledge on other areas of ballooning. This can include roles of the ground crew, what to do in an emergency and what every bit of equipment of the balloon does. One written exam must be completed as well as a flight test with an FFA (federal Aviation Administration) qualified examiner before qualifying as a pilot.