BPL Conversion to Hot-air balloon

Extend your BPL privileges to hot-air balloon ✔️

Overview

Balloon Pilot Licence Hot-air balloon conversion overview

The Balloon class transition course is the specific training for BPL holder holding the privileges for either gas balloons or hot-air airships to fly the Group A balloons of the Hot-Air Balloon class. The BPL Hot balloon conversion training course is designed to provide you with adequate theoretical knowledge and training for the hot-air balloon.

The Balloon Pilot Licence conversion training course consists of:

• 4 hours of ground school
• 5 flights (approx. 5 hours) in the hot-air balloon 

The BPL training for hot-air balloons is followed by the BPL skill test with FE(B).

Theory

Ground school for BPL privileges extension to hot-air baloons consists of the subjects specifically focused on the hot-air ballon. The competency-based approach is taking into the consideration the major differences between the class of the balloon you are currently qualified for and the hot-air balloon class. 

Theoretical knowledge for the Hot-air balloon class will be demonstrated to and tested by the FE(B) during the Hot-air balloon BPL skill test.

The BPL Hot-air balloon conversion groungschool covers following topics:

• principles of flight;
• operational procedures;
• flight performance and planning;
• aircraft general knowledge with regard to the balloon class for which the extension of privileges is sought.

Privileges

Upon completion of the Hot-air conversion training, your privileges will be to fly the hot-air balloon class as pilot-in-command with limitation to the so-called Group A Hot-air balloons with the maximum envelope size of 3,400m³ (120,069 cuft³).

The hot-air balloons rating is another extension of your BPL privileges. To fly commerically, you would need additional 50 hours, to become instructor, approximately 70 more hours and to fly a bigger hot-air balloon group, you would need more than 100 hours spent in the hot-air balloons.