Ballooning

**skylab** · 03-27-2008, 11:30 AM

In another thread I mentioned having a Balloon License, and interest was expressed on just what that was all about. So.....

OK...here's the deal on the Balloon Rating.

Shortly after I got my Commercial in April of 1962, one of the FAA inspectors who frequented our field told us about the ability to merely apply for and receive a Balloon License. At that time, no one in the FAA or any FAA designated inspector for that matter, was about to go up with an applicant to check his ability. All one had to do was simply apply for the License; which a number of us at the FBO did. We had NO intention of EVER ascending! So, we got our tickets. Mine (and the others) read:

FREE BALLOON PILOT
Limitation: HOT AIR BALLOONS ONLY

Not too long after this, with the FAA being flooded with applications, they changed the rules to require so many observed ascents, etc. So, it became very difficult to obtain a license after that unless you REALLY wanted one.

It's merely something to show the Grandkids and others now when the topic comes up. I always tell everyone I had to do two Bag-overs and a Hiss-out to get my license!

**CPSBruce** · 03-27-2008, 11:59 AM

The perverbial "license from a cracker jack box", eh?

**xxmikexx** · 03-27-2008, 12:02 PM

I knew it had been some kind of low-time deal but I didn't recall that the number had been zero.

Yes, I'd love to ride in one. No, you'll never get me up in one of those things. (See the Afraid Of Heights thread.)

**skylab** · 03-27-2008, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by CPSBruce

The perverbial "license from a cracker jack box", eh?

Well, sorta. But it IS an Official License and if I were so inclinded, which I am NOT, I could use it to go Hot Air Ballooning!

**xxmikexx** · 03-27-2008, 12:05 PM

Joke Alert! I repeat, this is a Joke Alert!

skylab,

No you can't go ballooning, you're not current. You need time in the sim and then a checkride.

**skylab** · 03-27-2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by xxmikexx

Duplicate post, contents deleted by xxmikexx, when will I ever learn?

Ha.....that'd be great to see: a Full Motion Balloon Simulator!! Bet there's a big market for that, ah?!

**xxmikexx** · 03-27-2008, 12:12 PM

skylab,

It wouldn't be all that expensive because it only needs one axis -- vertical.

And the avionics are simple too. (Now where did I put that Rudy Vallee megaphone?)

**skylab** · 03-27-2008, 12:32 PM

Shucks; can't go ballooning any more. Just checked the FARs and found:

(a) The holder of a free-balloon pilot certificate issued before November 1, 1973, may not exercise the privileges of that certificate.

***tigisfat*** · 03-27-2008, 04:37 PM

JOKE ALERT HERE TOO!!

Please don't make light of ballooning and the manipulations of flight controls involved. I've heard it's VERY hard to bring a balloon down the ILS to a full stop in IMC.