How to become a hot air balloon pilot? After flying in a balloon for the first time with countless people who are frequently asking….. What does it take to become a pilot?
You can experience this lifestyle of a hot air balloon without having to take control of the burners by simply taking a ride in a hot balloon. But if you want to know more please continue reading!
In addition to flying as a passenger, as well as still enjoying this experience and you want to continue, you need time, commitment and energy in becoming a pilot.
In addition it is important you have a medical declaration of fitness signed off by your GP to ensure you are fit to fly before your start. If you are still passionate and you have passed your fitness test, you can then start reading on the theories of aviation books.


What can you do with and how to become a hot balloon pilot licence


Learning to fly you are learning to fly a balloon, you need an official certificate or licences.
This is a must from the Civil Aviation Authority, it is like driving a car, to get this you need to complete a course with one on one lessons with a flight instructor in addition to do a written exam and furthermore lots of hours in flights.
Just as soon as you have passed your medical exam you can start to fly. There are many companies which offer this course.

Where to begin in taking the first baby steps


How to become a hot air balloon pilot is to begin taking the first baby steps. The key to becoming a hot air balloon pilot is lots of practice, study, energy and time. There are two types of pilot’s licence you can obtain.
A Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) allows you to fly passengers, but not on a commercial level. This is easy to achieve and means you can enjoy your flights with family and friends.


The minimum you need to gain you PPL

  • 16 hours flight time
  • 4 instructor flights
  • 5 Written tests on air law, navigation, meteorology, human performance, Ballo systems
  • 1 flight test
  • 1 Solo flight

A Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CCL) The other licence you can obtain is a commercial licence (CPL). Which lets you operate a balloon for hire and it gives you a career in this sector. A CPL licence is harder to achieve.
The requirements:
5 commercial theory exams
Aviation Law, Flight Rules and Operations
Navigation
Meteorology
Aircraft General Balloons( aircraft that can navigate through the air with air)
Human Performance and Limitations

75 hours as pilot of balloons
60 hours as PIC of a balloons
15 hours of instructions in flying as pilot of balloon

Let’s begin!
On how to become a balloon pilot, a great place to start by becoming a flight crew attendant with a balloon company. This position provides you the opportunity to become more familiar with and up close and personal with hot air balloons. This stepping stone will better equip you and knowledge of the equipment , the lay of the land and familiarise yourself with pilot duties and

Once you have a balloon pilot licence?


What can you do? Once you have your PPL licence, you can buy a balloon and fly to all festival events, such as Bristol in the UK at the International Balloon Fiesta.
If you want to travel to other foreign countries like Italy and France with a PPL licence this will allow you to travel to different destinations with family and friends.
If you have a CCL licence you might be able to earn a living from tour guides and taking tourists out on excursions. You can start making an income with a CCL pilot licence.