Elements

Familiarization with all components of burners and tanks

Dual flight to learn basic flight maneuvers

Weigh-off

Ascents and descents

Level flight in relation to instruments

Level flight in relation to ground

Contour flight

Monitor weather conditions

Fuel management

Refueling

Post-flight discussion

Equipment

Balloon Flight Manual
Airworthy balloon

Instruction’s Actions

Before flight discuss lesson objective by using pre-flight lesson plans for Weigh-off, Level Flight in Relation to Instruments and Level Fight in Relation to Ground, Fuel Management and Refueling
Discuss function of fuel systems valves, gauges, and serial numbers; determine fuel quantity on board
Supervise performance and coach student through each maneuver

Student’s Actions

Perform each maneuver as directed
- Practice selected maneuvers previously introduced.
- Flight planning
- Layout and inflation
- Ground crew instruction
- Weigh-off
  - Handhold weigh-off
  - Inflation restraint weigh-off
  - False Lift considerations
  - Establish minimum ascent rate
  - Monitor envelope temperature
- Ascent ± 100 fpm on instruments
- Level flight ± 100 fpm on instruments (commercial - ±50 fpm)
- Descent ± 100 fpm on instruments (commercial - ±50 fpm) Ascent in relation to ground
- Level flight in relation to ground
- Descent in relation to ground
- Crop and animal identification
- Check fuel quantity before and during flight
  - Change tanks
  - Monitor fuel pressure and sound of burner
  - Explain fuel system components and functions
- Normal approach and landing
- Deflation
  - Landowner relations
  - Refueling
- Post flight discussion

Completion Standards

The student should demonstrate the preflight inspection with a comprehensive checklist, ground crew instruction, inflation with some coaching, weigh-off, recognition of vertical direction with improving performance at level flight, able to interpret instruments, knowledge of the fuel system, blast valve and demonstrates safe refueling procedure.