Spares—the following are recommended spares to carry in the chase vehicle or to have on hand:
• Local and aeronautical maps.
• Helium tank and pibals (pilot balloons).
• Quick pins and carabiners.
• Gloves and helmets.
• Envelope fabric and/or patches.
• Refueling adapters.
• Spare tire for the trailer.
• Extra fuel for the fan.
• Extra strikers/igniters.
Aircraft Documents
Certain documents are needed onboard your aircraft.
Airworthiness Certificate
An Airworthiness Certificate is issued by a representative of the FAA after the balloon has been inspected, is found to
meet the requirements of 14 CFR part 31, and is in condition for safe operation. The Airworthiness Certificate must be
displayed in the aircraft so it is legible to the passengers and crew whenever it is operated. [Figure 2-14] The Airworthiness
Certificate is transferred with the aircraft except when it is sold to a foreign purchaser.
Figure 2-14. Standard Airworthiness Certificate.
A Standard Airworthiness Certificate is issued for aircraft type certificated in the normal category for manned free balloons.
A Standard Airworthiness Certificate remains in effect as long as the aircraft receives the required maintenance and is
properly registered in the United States. Flight safety relies, in part, on the condition of the aircraft, which is determined
by inspections performed by mechanics, approved repair stations, or manufacturers who meet specific requirements. A
Special Airworthiness Certificate is issued for all aircraft certificated in other than the Standard classifications, such as
Experimental or Restricted. When purchasing an aircraft classified as other than Standard, it is recommended that the local
FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) be contacted for an explanation of the pertinent airworthiness requirements
and the limitations of such a certificate.
Certificate of Aircraft Registration
Before an aircraft can be flown legally, it must be registered with the FAA Civil Aviation Registry. The Certificate of
Aircraft Registration, which is issued to the owner as evidence of the registration, must be carried in the aircraft at all times.
[Figure 2-15] The Certificate of Aircraft Registration cannot be used for operations when:
REGISTRATION NOT TRANSFERABLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
CERTIFICATE OF AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION
NATIONALITY AND
REGISTRATION MARKS
AIRCRAFT
SERIAL NO.
This certificate
must be in air-
craft when operated.
MANUFACTURER AND MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION OF AIRCRAFT
ICAO Aircraft Address Code:
It is certified that the above described aircraft has been entered on the register of the Federal
Aviation Administration, United States of America, in accordance with the Convention on
International Civil Aviation dated December 7, 1944, and with the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, and
regulations issued thereunder.
DATE OF ISSUE
AC Form 8050-3 (11/93) Suspersedes previous editions
ADMINISTRATOR
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
This certificate is
issued for registration
purposes only and is
not a certificate of title.
The Federal Aviation
Administration does
not determine rights of
ownership as between
private persons.
N63308 RX-8-3094
Aerostar RX-8
John A. Doe
900 ELM St.
Anytown, AL
February 1, 1994
Figure 2-15. Certificate of Aircraft Registration.
• The aircraft is registered under the laws of a foreign country.
• The aircraft’s registration is canceled at the written request of the holder of the certificate.
• The aircraft is totally destroyed or scrapped.
• The ownership of the aircraft is transferred.
• The holder of the certificate loses United States citizenship.
When one of the events listed in 14 CFR part 47, section 47.41 occurs, the previous owner must notify the FAA by filling
in the back of the Certificate of Aircraft Registration, and mailing it to: Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aviation
Registry, AFS-750 P.O. Box 25504 Oklahoma City, OK 73125
After compliance with 14 CFR part 47, section 47.41, the pink copy of the application for a Certificate of Aircraft
Registration is authorization to operate an unregistered aircraft for a period not to exceed 90 days. Since the aircraft
is unregistered, it cannot be operated outside the United States until a permanent Certificate of Aircraft Registration is
received and placed in the aircraft.
Note: For additional information concerning the Aircraft Registration Application or the Aircraft Bill of Sale, contact the
nearest FSDO.
Aircraft Owner/Operator Responsibilities
The registered owner/operator of an aircraft is responsible for certain items, such as:
• Having a current Airworthiness Certificate and a Certificate of Aircraft Registration in the aircraft.
• Maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with all applicable Airworthiness Directives.
• Assuring that maintenance is properly recorded.
• Keeping abreast of current regulations concerning the operation and maintenance of the aircraft.
• Notifying the FAA Civil Aviation Registry immediately of any change of permanent mailing address, or the sale or
export of the aircraft, or the loss of the eligibility to register an aircraft. (Refer to 14 CFR part 47, section 47.41.)
For further information regarding Airworthiness Directives (ADs), type certificate owner responsibilities, and aircraft
owner/operator responsibilities, visit the FAA website.
Aircraft registration expires three years after an aircraft was registered or last renewed. The registration renewal date-to-
file is scheduled five months before the expiration.
The application for registration renewal must be filed five months before registration expires to enable delivery of a new
certificate before the old certificate expires. This provides a safety margin for correcting application errors. Prompt filing
does not change the new expiration date.
Aircraft Maintenance
Maintenance is defined as the preservation, inspection, overhaul, and repair of an aircraft, including the replacement of
parts. A properly maintained aircraft is a safe aircraft. In addition, regular and proper maintenance ensures that an aircraft
meets an acceptable standard of airworthiness throughout its operational life. Although maintenance requirements vary
for different types of aircraft, experience shows that aircraft need some type of preventive maintenance every 25 hours of
flying time or less, and minor maintenance at least every 100 hours. This is influenced by the kind of operation, climatic
conditions, storage facilities, age, and construction of the aircraft. Manufacturers provide maintenance manuals, parts
catalogs, and other service information that should be used in maintaining the aircraft.
Balloon Inspections
14 CFR part 91 places primary responsibility on the owner or operator for maintaining a balloon in an airworthy condition.
Certain inspections must be performed on the balloon, and the owner must maintain the airworthiness of the balloon during
the time between required inspections by having any defects corrected. This typically means that fabric damage outside
the maximum allowable damage limits specified by the manufacturer must be repaired before the envelope can be deemed
airworthy and returned to service.
Annual Inspection
Any balloon flown for business or pleasure and not flown for compensation or hire is required to be inspected at least
annually. The inspection must be performed by a certificated and appropriately rated repair station, by the manufacturer, or
by a certificated airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic who holds an Inspection Authorization (IA). The aircraft may
not be operated unless the annual inspection has been performed within the preceding 12 calendar months. A period of 12
calendar months extends from any day of a month to the last day of the same month the following year.
100-Hour Inspection
All balloons used to carry passengers for hire must have received a 100-hour inspection within the preceding 100 hours of
time in service and have been approved for return to service. Additionally, an aircraft used for flight instruction for hire,
when provided by the person giving the flight instruction, must also have received a 100-hour inspection. This inspection
must be performed by an appropriately rated FAA certificated repair station, the aircraft manufacturer, or by an FAA
certificated A&P mechanic. An annual inspection, or an inspection for the issuance of an Airworthiness Certificate, may be
substituted for a required 100-hour inspection.
Preflight Inspections
The preflight inspection is a thorough and systematic means by which a pilot determines if the aircraft is airworthy and in
condition for safe operation. The balloon’s Flight Manual contains a section devoted to a systematic method of performing
a preflight inspection. For balloons, this inspection is usually a part of the layout and inflation process, and is greatly
aided by the use of a checklist. Again, the pilot must also be aware of maximum damage limitations as published by the
manufacturer.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is considered to be simple or minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard
parts, not involving complex assembly operations. Certificated pilots may perform preventive maintenance on any balloon
that is owned or operated by them. According to 14 CFR part 43, appendix A, preventive maintenance may be performed
by the owner/operator of an aircraft who holds at least an FAA Private Pilot Certificate with a balloon rating.
The following is a partial list of preventive maintenance that may be performed by the owner/operator of a balloon:
• Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys.
• Lubrication not requiring disassembly.
• The making of small fabric repairs to envelopes (as defined in, and in accordance with, the balloon manufacturers’
instructions) not requiring load tape repair or replacement.
• Refinishing decorative coating of the basket when removal or disassembly of any primary structure or operating
system is not required.
• Applying preservative or protective material to components where no disassembly of any primary structure or
operating system is involved and where such coating is not prohibited or is not contrary to good practices.
• Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require
disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect primary
structure of the aircraft.
• Replacing seats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not involving disassembly of any
primary structure or operating system.
• Replacing prefabricated fuel lines.
• Replacing and servicing batteries.
• Cleaning of balloon burner pilots and main nozzles in accordance with balloon manufacturers’ instructions.
• Replacement or adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations.
• The interchange of balloon baskets and burners on envelopes when the basket or burner is designated as
interchangeable in the balloon Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), and the baskets and burners are specifically
designed for quick removal and installation.
Repairs and Alterations
Repairs and alterations are classified as either major or minor. 14 CFR part 43, appendix A, describes the alterations and
repairs considered major. Major repairs or alterations shall be approved for return to service on FAA Form 337, Major
Repair and Alteration, by an appropriately rated certificated repair station, an FAA-certificated A&P mechanic holding
an Inspection Authorization (IA), or a representative of the Administrator. Minor repairs and minor alterations may be
approved for return to service with a proper entry in the maintenance records by an FAA-certificated A&P mechanic or an
appropriately certificated repair station.
For modifications of experimental aircraft, refer to the operating limitations issued to that aircraft. Modifications in
accordance with FAA Order 8130.2, may require the notification of the issuing authority.
Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
A primary safety function of the FAA is to require correction of unsafe conditions found in an aircraft, aircraft engine,
propeller, or appliance when such conditions exist and are likely to exist or develop in other products of the same design.
The unsafe condition may exist because of a design defect, maintenance, or other causes. 14 CFR part 39, Airworthiness
Directives (ADs), define the authority and responsibility of the Administrator for requiring the necessary corrective action.
ADs are the means used to notify aircraft owners and other interested persons of unsafe conditions and to specify the
conditions under which the product may continue to be operated. ADs may be divided into two categories:
1. Those of an emergency nature requiring immediate compliance prior to further flight.
2. Those of a less urgent nature requiring compliance within a specified period of time.
ADs are regulatory and shall be complied with unless a specific exemption is granted. It is the aircraft owner or operator’s
responsibility to ensure compliance with all pertinent ADs. 14 CFR part 91, section 91.417 requires a record to be maintained
that shows the current status of applicable ADs, including the method of compliance; the AD number and revision date, if
recurring; the time and date when due again; the signature; kind of certificate; and certificate number of the repair station or
mechanic who performed the work. For ready reference, many aircraft owners have a chronological listing of the pertinent
ADs in the back of their aircraft maintenance records.
Choosing a Balloon
Many companies manufacture balloons that are typecertificated by the FAA. A type-certificated balloon has passed many
tests, has been approved by the FAA, and conforms to the manufacturer’s TCDS. Balloon size is rated by envelope volume
with categories defined in metric units. Figure 2-16 illustrates the most popular size ranges in use today (volumes are
provided in cubic meters, as well as cubic feet).
AX5 900–1,200 1 31,779–42,372
AX6 1,200–1,600 1–2 42,372–56,372
AX7 1,600–2,200 2–4 56,496–77,682
AX8 2,200–3,000 4–7 77,682–105,930
AX9 3,000–4,000 6–10 105,930–141,240
FAI
Category Cubic FeetCubic Meters Number
of People
Figure 2-16. Popular balloon size ranges.
Advantages of Balloon Sizes
Different balloon sizes offer different advantages. The size of the balloon purchased should be determined according
to planned use(s). Most pilots think smaller balloons are easier to handle, fly, and pack up. Bigger balloons use less
fuel, operate cooler, and last longer. Higher elevations or hotter climates or passengers indicate a larger balloon. Balloon
competitions and sport flying require a smaller balloon. [Figure 2-17]
50'
49'
54K
AX6
57'
55'
77K
AX7
60'
57'
90K
AX8
63'
60'
105K
AX8
69'
66'
141K
AX9
Figure 2-17. Comparison of balloon sizes.
Selecting a New or Used Balloon
The cost is the most obvious difference between new and used balloons. Some new pilots buy a used balloon to gain
proficiency, and then purchase a new balloon when they have a better idea of what they want or need.
Prior to purchasing any used balloon, it is important to ensure that the balloon is airworthy, to avoid purchasing an aircraft
which may be nearing, or perhaps past, its useful life. Most balloon envelopes are constructed of fabrics that last well
into the 300–400 hour range, with some newer fabrics exceeding that life span. It would be prudent to have the balloon
inspected by a reputable repair station or qualified inspector prior to purchase.
Balloon Brands
The level of after sales service available—locally and from the manufacturer—is an important criterion in deciding which
brand of balloon to purchase. Talk to local pilots and ask questions. How does the local balloon repair station feel about
different brands? Do they stock parts for only one brand? Does the manufacturer ship parts and fabric for balloons already
in the field, or do they reserve these parts and fabric for new production? Do they ground older model balloons for lack of
materials while new balloons are being built?
There are other criteria that could be considered, such as altitude at which the balloon will be flying, climate, and
interchangeability of components, to give some examples. Before making the final decision, talk to people with different
kinds of balloons who do different kinds of flying. Crewing for different balloons is an excellent way to learn about
balloons and can help in the decision on what first balloon to purchase.
Chapter Summary
This chapter gives the reader common terminology for use in the ballooning community. Many times, confusion exists
between the student pilot and the instructor, due to differences in terminology used, and it is hoped that the discussions here
resolve those issues. The reader also should have an understanding of the physics of hot-air ballooning, as well as a good
understanding of the support equipment involved with ballooning activities.
Propane information has also been included in this chapter, and it is recommended that all pilots review this on a recurring
basis, perhaps as part of a yearly safety seminar. Additionally, proper documentation, and inspection requirements have
been covered. Each pilot should become knowledgeable in these areas.