So, the bug has bitten after only one flight! Now you want to become a Hot Air Balloon Pilot yourself and need to know how to go about it.
        The most obvious part of obtaining a Balloon Pilot Licence is learning how to operate a balloon safely, and you have to know all the rules and regulations that govern flying in Canada. No less important than all this, you have to know the procedure involved in reaching your goal of becoming a Licensed Balloon Pilot.

Canadian Licensing Procedure

        In order to supply you with the most information possible, we'll describe the usual procedure for a Canadian citizen, (we are Canadian Pilots licensed to train in Canada), at least sixteen years of age, who does not hold another aviation licence. This procedure is based on the present requirements contained in the relevant chapters of the Personnel Licensing Handbook and discussion with some of the people at Transport Canada. It is meant as a reference only and you should always refer to the aforementioned Personnel Licensing Handbook for current requirements. If you have any questions concerning licensing, we encourage you to contact Transport. They would rather answer a few questions at the start than try to sort out problems after the fact.

        We'll describe the procedure as simply as possible, as a series of steps. There may be circumstances where some of these steps may be done in a different order or they may be combined.

1. You must find a Licensed Balloon Pilot with an Instructor Rating. If you already have the names of some balloon pilots in your area ask them if they have a valid instructor's rating. Transport Canada can confirm this. You don't have to do all of your flight training with one instructor, however you will have to demonstrate to one of them that you have received adequate training, are competent to fly a balloon, and satisfy the requirements for a license.
2. Medical. Most people obtain the name of a physician recognized by Transport Canada and have their medical exam prior to beginning their flight training. Although you don't have to present evidence of passing the medical until you are actually ready to fly solo, you are strongly advised to complete this aspect as soon as possible. There's no sense in getting that far into your training only to be disqualified for medical reasons.
3. You need at least ten hours of ground school training. This will cover all the information that Transport feels you must know, as outlined in their study guide. Your instructor should be able to either provide the ground school training or tell you where it can be obtained.
4. Any time after your ground school training is done, you must obtain a letter from your instructor stating that you have successfully completed the training and that they recommend you be allowed to try your first written exam. This exam (PSTAR) focuses on air law and regulations, but it does not specifically pertain to Hot Air Balloons. You must pass the PSTAR exam before you can fly solo.
5. Before obtaining your license you will need a minimum of 16 (sixteen) hours of flight training which includes at least 11 (eleven) hours of untethered flight under the direction and supervision of a qualified instructor. The untethered flight training must include at least 6 (six) dual instruction flights, including one ascent to over 5000 feet, and 2 (two) solo flights of at least 30 minutes each. ALWAYS VERIFY THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE PERSONNEL LICENSING HANDBOOK.
6. In order to fly solo (with no other people aboard) you must obtain a Student Pilot Permit (SPP). In order to obtain your SPP you have to either deal directly with Transport Canada or with someone in the ballooning community authorized by Transport Canada to act on their behalf. You must show this Transport Authorized Person:
   
   1. Acceptable identification which shows your nationality, age and full name.
      Nationality and age information show that you are entitled to be licensed in Canada and for how long your medical is valid. Your name is required for the issuing of the license, which is a legal document. If your name has changed you will have to provide evidence of such. (A married woman who has changed her name will be asked to provide a marriage certificate.)
   2. Proof that you have satisfied the medical criteria. This is either your License Validation Certificate or a Medical Assessment Letter.
   3. A copy of your results of the PSTAR exam, showing a passing grade.
   4. A recommendation from a qualified balloon instructor stating that you have completed the requirements, have demonstrated sufficient competence in the operation of a Hot Air Balloon and that you should be allowed to fly solo.
   You can make the process easier and faster by bringing the original documents and 3 (three) copies of each. The authorized person must see the originals, will keep one copy of each document and send two certified copies to Transport Canada.
7. At any time after receiving a passing grade on your PSTAR exam, and after having completed at least 12 (twelve) hours of your flight training (75% of the flight time requirements), you should obtain a letter from your instructor recommending that you be allowed to try your second written exam. This exam (PIBAL) may cover any aspect of ballooning, from regulations to the relevant laws of physics.
8. Any time after you have satisfied all of the requirements your instructor must certify in your log book that the flights and times entered therein are accurate. They must also provide you with a letter stating that you are competent to fly a Hot Air Balloon and recommend that you receive your license.
   You will then return to the Transport Authorized Person and show them:
   1. Your Student Pilot Permit
   2. A current License Validation Certificate
   3. Proof of obtaining a passing grade on the PSTAR and PIBAL exams
   4. Your certified log book showing that you have satisfied the requirements in the Personnel Licensing Handbook
   5. Your letter of recommendation from a qualified instructor. Once again, it is easier and faster to bring the originals and 3 (three) copies of each document.
9. You then fill out an application form for a license, in duplicate, and pay a forty-two dollar (subject to change) licensing fee. Once the paperwork has been completed, the Transport Authorized Person will complete the back of your Student Pilot Permit which then becomes your temporary Balloon License for a specified time, or until Transport issues you the actual license.

        So there you are, a Licensed Balloon Pilot.

        There are exceptions to these steps. For instance, if you already hold a valid pilot license for another category of aircraft, with the exception of ultra lights, you only need 5 (five) hours of ground school, and you need not write the PSTAR exam.

        If you have any questions concerning the procedures for obtaining a Balloon Pilot's License, give us a call, or you can get in touch with Transport Canada. They can be very helpful people.

How Can Windborne Ballooning Help?

        Our Licensed Pilot holds a valid Instructors Rating from Transport Canada and is able to give complete flight instruction for Hot Air Balloons. With over 1000 hours of flight time, her experience and knowledge is invaluable.

Where Can I Get A Hot Air Balloon?

        You can use one of our balloons for your training or you could purchase one. Windborne Ballooning is an Authorized Dealer of FireFly Balloons^tm and we're more than happy to help you acquire what we believe to be the finest Hot Air Balloon system around. Otherwise, talk to local balloonists to see if they have leads to systems for sale. You might also check the Web. Read through ballooning magazines and see what might be there. Wherever you choose to buy a balloon for training, remember that it must be airworthy, have all required aircraft documentation and be capable of carrying at least two people . . you and your instructor!

        A new FireFly Balloon, adequately sized for training, will cost $20,000.00 to $25,000.00 Cdn. depending on the options you choose. You can expect to pay anywhere from $8,000.00 to $12,000.00 Cdn for a good quality used, well cared for hot air balloon that should suit your needs. Remember, as with all major purchases, do your research.

How Much Will The Training Cost?

Ground School

Windborne's Ground School will cost you $250.00 for 10 (ten) hours of instruction.

Using A Windborne Balloon

If you use one of our balloons for flight instruction, the cost is $250.00 per hour for the minimum of 16 (sixteen) hours required. Windborne will supply the chase vehicle and ground personnel.

Using Your Own Balloon

If you use your own balloon the cost is $100.00 per hour for the minimum of 16 (sixteen) hours required. You supply the chase vehicle and the ground personnel. We suggest at least three people.

Contacting Windborne Ballooning

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1 (613) 739-7388 or,
provide whatever contact information you deem necessary and e-mail us at
WINDBORNE PILOT TRAINING. Thanks for your interest!

FIREFLY BALLOONS   WINDBORNE BALLOONING LIMITED