Newbie Balloonist Question

Hi, I'm thinking of getting my license (and then a balloon, of course), but had a few questions before I get started...

Looking around the net, I get a good idea of the cost of getting into a system, but I am wondering what kind of maintenance/upkeep is required for the fabric, basket, burners, etc., and how much I could expect to spend on this type of upkeep annually. Also, how many gallons of fuel (propane?) is consumed per hour and what's the cost of a typical flight as far as fuel is concerned?

And finally, what's the best way to get started... do I get on a ground crew to learn that aspect first, or should I just jump in and take the flight classes? How does one get on a ground crew, anyway?

Thanks in advance for any and all tips you can give me!

The fuel cost will depend upon several factors such as size of balloon and the condition the fabric is n and the load that is carried on the flight. But here in the UK a 77 carrying three people should use a rough average 1 litre of fuel a minute current cost is 22p a litre.

Maintainance costs depends on the pilot, some years our costs have been virtually nothing ours slightly higher after damage on landing etc. On top of this is the insurance costs, for a private balloon this may be around £1000 a year Try the following web site for ideas and contacts for insurance companies http://www.zebedeelist.co.uk/

I hope this helps

Good luck and soft landings

Ian

I was asking these questions about 4 years ago. You have to realize that the ONLY reason to get into ballooning is to have fun, not to get a certificate from the FAA that says you can be sued if something goes wrong. [Yep. That's what a pilot 'license' does.]

So, I found the local balloonists and have been crewing, buying fuel, scaring up crews, treating all to breakfasts, kicking in to the champaign fund, chasing, and yes, accumulating flight hours. It is fun. Without a ticket, I can't go solo or take passengers without a commercial pilot along.

For used balloons, check the back of 'Balloon Life'. Every issue has a few for sale. Get to know the person who runs your local balloon repair station because you will be asking him to certify the airworthiness of the balloon you buy.

Get a copy of the 'FAR/AIM' Federal Air Regs/Airman's Information Manual. You will find out alot about flying in general. Read about requirments for a certificate, annual inspections, flight currency and recentcy (sp?) of experience.

For balloons, you have to think about space to store your equipment. A box trailer is what most persons use. You will spend alot of money on equipment such as the inflation fan, helium cylinders and pi-bals, ropes, gloves, and such. You will have to save up for an annual inspection, purchase insurance, pay for repairs, and ammortize the envelope. Yes, envelopes just wear out. The best are guaranteed for 500 hours and cost about $18,000. So, that's $36/hr right there. Propane consumption depends on temperature but guess about 20 gal per hr. We're paying around $1.50/gal. Your chase vehicle costs money to operate, too. And it will be driven alot by strangers who are chasing for you.

If you just want to fly, get a glider license! A regular airplane license is the best way to start in my opinion. I learned all the regs and did some airplane flying before branching out to gliders, seaplanes and balloons. I had one helo lesson (that was enough!). The add-on tickets are easier to get. If you want to charge for instruction or flying passengers, you will have to go all the way to getting a commercial pilot license because a private pilot cannot do these things.

Good luck. Have fun ballooning.

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the input!

B.

Hi William,

Thanks for the input! Leads to lots of new questions, though (see my new post)!

B.