Hot-air Balloon Group transition

Overview

Bigger balloon group course transition training overview

The aim of the hot-air balloon group transition training course is to provide you with the training to meet necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes for performing the flights in hot-air balloons with bigger balloon envelope than you have been used to up until now. 

The hot-air balloon group transition training course consists of:

• 3:00 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction (briefings and debriefings)
• 2 flights lasting cca 2 hours of flight in the transitioned balloon group

The Balloon Group transition course does not require you to attend the skill test with EASA Balloon Flight Examiner. The completion of the group transition training is entered in your logbook and signed by the balloon instructor.

Groups

So-called groups of the hot-air balloons are specified based on the volume of the balloon envelope. The international standards as well as the EASA regulations specify 4 different hot-air balloon groups depending in the volume of the "bubble".

Should you are a holder of a Balloon Pilot Licence for the hot-air balloons, you are already a holder of Group A class rating, which is obtained as a part of the BPL training.

• Group A: an envelope capacity up to 3,400m³ (120,069ft³)
• Group B: an envelope capacity between 3,401m³ (120,070ft³) and 6,000m³(211,888ft³
• Group C: an envelope capacity between 6,001m³ (211,889ft³) and 10,500m³ (370,804ft³)
• Group D: an envelope capacity of more than 10,500m³ (370,804ft³) 

Privileges

Once the balloon group transition training is completed and your training is signed-off into the logbook by balloon instructor, you will be eligible to fly as a pilot-in-command in the respective balloon group. An extension to Group C is also valid for Groups A and B. An extension to Group D is also valid for groups A, B and C.