Night rating for Balloon Pilot Licence

Overview

Balloon Night Rating training course overview

The aim of the hot-air balloon night rating course is to provide you with the training to meet necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes for performing the flights in hot-air balloons in night.

The hot-air balloon Night rating training course consists of:

• 3:30 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
• 2 flights lasting 2 hours of flight in the balloon in night

The Night Rating training does not require you to attend the skill test with EASA Balloon Flight Examiner. The completion of the night rating training is entered in your logbook and signed by the balloon instructor.

Theory

The Night Rating flight theoretical knowledge instruction consists of 3:30 hours of instruction. The course is structured to cover all necessary topics essential for the hot-air balloon flying in night.

The BPL Night Rating TKI syllabi covers following subjects:

• medical or physiological aspects of night vision;
• flight planning, taking into account the obstacles on the ground, night VMC minima and airspace;
• use of lights for assembly, layout and inflation;
• requirement for torch to be carried, (pre-flight inspection, etc.);
• use of the external and instrument lights;
• checklist procedures at night;
• emergency procedures at night;
• night cross-country techniques, as appropriate;
• navigation principles at night;
• night landings (emergency procedure in the case of hot-air balloons);
• balloon performance (e.g. fuel/ballast consumption) at night; and
• map marking for night use (highlighting built-up or lit areas with thicker lines, etc.).

Privileges

As a Balloon Pilot Licence holder you can only fly with hot-air balloons in night if you hold a night rating in accordance with BFCL.210. What is important to know and has to be kept in mind is BOP.BAS.185:

• Hot-air balloons shall not land during night, except in emergency situations; and
• Hot-air balloons may take off during night, provided that sufficient fuel is carried for a landing during day.