The Sky's The Limit Ballooning, Inc.
The Sky's The Limit Home Page About Us Testimonials
The Sky's The Limit Ballooning, Inc.
Year-round Balloon Rides
Gift Certificates
Flight Instruction
Crew
Promotions & Advertising
Tethers & Special Events
History of Ballooning
Ballooning FAQs
Photo Gallery
The Sky's The Limit Ballooning, Inc.

Flight Instruction

Our pilot is FAA-certified and holds a Commercial Pilot’s license. As a commercial pilot, he is able to provide flight instruction for lighter than air aircraft.

What does it take to become a hot air balloon pilot? Motivation, training, commitment are vital to each student pilot’s success.

A pilot must be able to approach each flight with the highest standards of safety and performance and be motivated to keep improving and learning, even after the FAA license has been earned. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that the following be satisfied:

Student Pilot:

Every applicant starts as a student pilot. Your flight instructor will help you obtain a Student Pilot Certificate from the FAA office. If you have already obtained an FAA certificate to pilot any other type of aircraft, a new student certificate is not necessary.

Private Pilot:

To earn your private pilot’s license, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Read, speak, write and understand English
  • Have at least 10 hours of training, which must include the following –
    • Six flights with an instructor
    • One solo flight
    • One ascent to 2000 feet above the takeoff point
  • Two flights of one hour each within 60 days prior to rating application
  • Pass the written FAA Knowledge Test (or, at a minimum, hold a Private Pilot Certificate for a powered aircraft)
  • Pass the Practical Knowledge Test (oral and flight) given by a designated FAA Flight Examiner or FAA Inspector

Commercial Pilot:

To become a commercial pilot, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Read, speak, write and understand English
  • Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
  • Have at least 35 hours of training, including 20 hours in balloons, which must include the following –
    • Ten flights in balloons
    • Ten hours of flight training that includes at least ten flights with an instructor
    • Two flights as pilot in command
    • One ascent to 3000 feet above the takeoff point
    • Two flights of one hour each within 60 days prior to rating application
  • Pass the written FAA Knowledge Test (or, at a minimum, hold a Private Pilot Certificate for a powered aircraft)
  • Pass the Practical Knowledge Test (oral and flight) given by a designated FAA Flight Examiner or FAA Inspector