| LICENSING: Piloting
a hot-air balloon is one of contemporary life's greatest challenges.
The romance of ballooning attracts hundreds of new pilots every
year and just like regular aircraft pilots; balloon pilots must
meet certain federal requirements for certification. Balloon pilots
are licensed by the FAA and must pass written and in-flight tests.
The written exam covers federal aviation regulations, meteorology
and general ballooning rules. The minimum age for licensing is 16.
Just as with airplane pilots, balloon pilots must also qualify with
hours flown. Private pilots must have 10 hours of flight time, including
one-hour solo. Commercial pilots need 35 hours of flight time and
must pass an additional exam and check flight. Every two years,
all pilots have to renew their ratings by passing a Biennial Flight
Review administered by a commercial balloon pilot. |
2000 STATISTICS:
There was a total of 1019 balloons registered
for Balloon Fiesta 2000, including 992 hot-air balloons, 90 Special
Shapes, and 27 gas balloons. A total of 1252 pilots registered for
the event, representing Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic,
England, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
Poland, Belarus, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of
America. Of the 27 gas balloons registered for the America's Challenge
Gas Balloon Race, only 10 were able to participate due to prevailing
weather conditions during the launch window. Countries represented
at the 5th America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race included: Austria,
Canada, England, France, Germany, and the United States.
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