Taking your first step toward flying a hot-air balloon is a fantastic decision. Ballooning offers a calm, peaceful, and completely unique way to experience the world, drifting with the wind, high above the landscape. Like many other branches of aviation, learning to fly a balloon is friendly, welcoming, and designed for people starting with no experience at all.
If you’re curious about what’s involved, this page gives you an overview of the journey from first flight to full licence. You’ll see that becoming a balloon pilot is enjoyable, and supported by a community that loves helping new pilots get started.
Your Path to Becoming a Balloon Pilot
A simple breakdown of the main stages involved in learning to fly and achieving your UK Balloon Pilot Licence.
1. Flight Training (Minimum 16 Hours)
Your practical flying experience builds gradually and safely:
- At least 4 hours training with an instructor.
- Up to 12 hours flying alongside a qualified pilot with 50+ hours experience.
Alongside your general flight exercises, you must also complete the following minimum requirements:
- 10 inflations
- 20 take-offs
- 20 landings
These ensure you have solid, hands-on experience with the key parts of balloon operation.
2. Tethered Training Sessions
You’ll complete 2 tethered flights, where the balloon stays securely tied to the ground while you practise key handling skills. Tethers are ideal for learning burner control, managing the inflation, and understanding how the balloon responds, all without leaving the launch field.
To count as a valid tether, the balloon must lift clear of the ground and reach at least 10 metres on one of the tethers. If the basket does not leave the ground, the session does not count.
Your final tether session must be signed off by an instructor.
3. Your First Solo Flight
A major milestone is your 30-minute supervised solo flight.
You fly the balloon on your own while your instructor or examiner observes from the ground.
This is often one of the most memorable steps of the entire journey.
4. Written Exams
There are a total of 120 multiple-choice exam questions covering the essential knowledge you need to fly safely split across multiple exams.
You will need to revise and build your understanding, but you won’t be doing it alone.
There are plenty of study guides, online resources, and helpful pilots ready to support you.
5. Practical Flight Skill Test
Your final assessment is the flight skill test, flown with an examiner.
You’ll demonstrate your ability to:
- Launch and land safely
- Navigate and manage altitude
- Plan and monitor fuel
- Make clear, safe decisions throughout the flight
This achievement marks your transition from trainee to pilot, unlocking the freedom to fly passengers and inspire others with the experience of ballooning.
What’s Next?
Ready to begin? Simply join the BBAC and register with the BBAC Training Organisation at bbac.org/sign-up, your training journey starts from there.
We also strongly recommend joining your local BBAC-affiliated region or club. This is where you’ll meet pilots, find training opportunities, and become part of the welcoming ballooning community. You can discover your nearest club on our Affiliated Organisations page.
If you have any questions about training, support, or getting started, you’re always welcome to contact us. Reach out via our Facebook page or email training@bbac.org we’re here to help you take your first steps into ballooning.
After You’re Licensed
Your BPL is just the beginning. Once you’ve earned your licence, there are two main paths you can explore as your flying journey continues: keeping your licence current and expanding your skills with additional privileges. These options help you grow as a pilot, stay confident, and discover even more of what ballooning has to offer.
Maintaining Your Licence
Stay up to date with the ongoing requirements that keep you current and ready to fly.
Extending Your Privileges
From night flying to hot-air airships or gas balloons, you can build on your BPL with additional ratings and new experiences.
To start your journey to getting your balloon licence, you need be a member of the BBAC and to register with the BBAC Training Organisation – via the club’s membership system. We also advise you join your local BBAC affiliated region or club. You can find your closest club on the affiliated organisations page. If you have any questions about training, either message us on our Facebook page or email us at training@bbac.org