Most Balloonist's Aren't Pilots

It may be surprising, but most members of the British Balloon and Airship Club are not pilots. In fact active pilots represent something under 25% of the membership. When you know more about the sport the reasons become understandable...

To launch our average balloon requires four people. When the envelope is laid out on the ground two hold the mouth of the balloon open while the pilot operates the burner. The fourth, called the Crown Crew, holds a rope attached to the top of the balloon to prevent the envelope from moving into the vertical position too quickly.

When the balloon lifts off the pilot and one or two of the ground crew will fly with it while the remainder follow in the retrieve (sometimes called chase) vehicle.

It's coincidence that in the above example the pilot is 25% of the team, the same percentage that pilots represent in the BBAC, but you can see that it's very possible to be involved in ballooning, enjoying the flying and the social life - even to own a balloon - without having to be a pilot.

The Legal Side

There are remarkably few legal restrictions to balloon operations. As mentioned above you need a knowledge of Air Law to gain a pilot's licence but United Kingdom law does not require that a balloon operated privately has a Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A). However, Cameron Balloons strongly recommend that a C of A is applied for with each new balloon and that the craft is examined every year by an authorised British Balloon and Airship Club inspector. It costs very little and brings peace of mind.

Hot-air balloons operated commercially must have a C of A.

Neither need a balloon to be insured, but the BBAC recommends carrying third party insurance cover of £500,000 and it is usual to insure passengers against accidental injury and the balloon itself against theft or damage. Pilots should advise their life insurance companies that they intend to take part in ballooning, though because of the good safety record a premium loading is unusual.