Learn to Fly Balloons

Learn to Fly > Balloons

CONTENTS

1. Introduction to Ballooning
   • History
   • Physics
   • Basic Balloon Terms
   • Balloon Components
     • Envelope
     • Heater System
     • Basket
   • Support Equipment
     • Inflation Fan
     • Transport Chase Vehicle
     • Miscellaneous Items
   • Choosing A Balloon
     • Advantages of Balloon Sizes
     • Selecting a New or Used Balloon
     • Balloon Brands
2. Preparing For Flight
   • Flight Planning
     • Weather
       • Weather Background Preparation
       • Specific Weather Preparation
       • Weather Record Keeping
       • Weather Preflight Briefing
     • Equipment
     • Launch Site
     • Purpose of Flight
     • Special Circumstances
       • Mountain Flying
       • Cold Weather Flying
     • Flying in New Territory
     • Clothing
     • Personal Health
   • Preflight Operations
     • Wind Direction
     • Launch Site
       • Launch Site Surface
     • Removing the Balloon from the Vehicle
     • Assembly
     • Layout
       • Spread Layout
       • Strip Layout
       • Progressive Fill
       • Role of the Inflator Fan
   • Checklist
   • Preflight Inspection Checklist
   • Emergency Checklist
   • Crew
   • Number of Crew Members
   • Crew Briefing
   • Types of Flight
   • Pilot/Crew Communication
   • Chase
   • Chase Crew
   • Prelaunch Considerations
   • Direction of Flight
   • Chase Crew Behavior
     
3. Inflation, Launch, and Landing
• Inflation
  • Historical Background
  • Inflation Style
  • Briefing to Crew and Passengers
  • Crew Briefing
  • Passenger Briefing
  • The Inflation
• Launch
• Approach to Landing
• Some Basic Rules of Landing
• Step Down Approach
• Low Approach
• Obstacles
• Congested Areas
• Landing Techniques
• Practice Approaches
• Passenger Management
• Landing
  • Landing Procedure Variations
• High-Wind Landing
• Landing Considerations
• Crew Responsibilities
• Maintaining Good Relations With Landowners
  
4. Inflight Maneuvers
   • Standard Burn
   • Level Flight
   • Use of Instruments
   • Ascents and Decents
     • Ascents
     • Decents
   • Maneuvering
   • Winds Above
• Pibal
• Other Balloons
• Winds Aloft Forecasts
• Winds Below
• Contour Flying
• Regulations
  • 14 CFR part 91, section 91.119?Minimum safe altitudes: General (in part)
• Contour Flying Techniques
• Some Disadvantages and Bad Practices
  • Aborted Landings
• Identification of Animal Population
• Flight Direction
• Radio Communications
• Clarity and Brevity
• Procedural Words and Phrases
• Contact Procedures
• Aircraft Call Signs
• Time
• Figures
• Altitude
• Phonetic Alphabet
• Uses of a VHF Radio
5. Postflight Procedures
   • Deflation
   • Wind Conditions
     • No-Wind Deflation
     • Light-Wind Deflation
     • High-Wind Deflation
   • Preparing for Pack-Up
• Recovery
• Pack-Up
• Propane Management and Fueling
• Properties of Propane
• Balloon Propane Tanks
• Propane Storage
• Selecting a Propane Company
• Fueling Safety
• Fueling
• Fueling Equipment
• Prolonging Hose Life
• Fuel Management
  
6. Special Operations
   • Tethering
     • Considerations
       • Space Available
       • Tie Downs
       • Airspace
       • Local Ordinances
       • Crowd Control
     • Tethering vs Mooring
   • Emergency Procedures
     
7. Regulations and Maintenance
   • Regulations
   • Maintenance
     • Required Maintenance
     • Preventative Maintenance
       • Other Considerations
         
8. Earning a Pilot Certification
   • Requirements
     • Eligibility
   • Aeronautical Knowledge
     • Private Pilot
     • Commercial Pilot
   • Flight Proficiency
     • Private Pilot
     • Commercial Pilot
   • Practical Test Standards
   • Skill Development
   • What is a Good Instruction
9. Aeronautical Decision Making
   • Introduction
   • General
   • Types of Decisions
   • Effectiveness of ADM
     • Minimum Personal Checklist

   Glossary