Maintenance
Every hot air balloon is a federally registered aircraft and is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The regulations concerning the repair and maintenance of a hot air balloon can be found in 14 CFR Part 43 of the Section 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 43. In addition to 14 CFR Part 43 each hot air balloon must be maintained in accordance with the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" manual. There are several small maintenance items that can be performed by the balloon owner or operator. These items may include replacing batteries in the instruments, cleaning and reconditioning the gondola burners, or envelope, and placing patches on the envelope to repair small holes. These items are considered preventive maintenance. Other repairs not considered preventive maintenance must be performed by an FAA authorized Repair Station. In addition to repairs, all hot air balloons are required to have periodic inspections called Annual Inspections or 100 Hour Inspections which ever comes first.
What is inspected as part
of a Annual or 100 Hour Inspection?
During each inspection every component of the
balloon is inspected for wear and/or damage that would affect the
airworthiness of the balloon. The fabric is tested for strength,
porosity and maximum temperature. Portions of the burners are
required to be rebuilt at each inspection. Every part of the fuel
system including tanks, hoses, and burners are tested for leaks
and proper operation. The flight instruments (altimeter,
variometer and pyrometer) are checked for accuracy and proper
operation. In addition, the aircraft maintenance records are
reviewed to insure that each applicable service bulletin and
airworthiness directive has been complied with. Every detail of
the inspection requirements can be found in the Airworthiness
Instruction Manual.
Who can perform the
required inspections and repairs on a hot air balloon?
In order for someone to perform an Annual or 100 Hour Inspection
and approve the balloon for return to service, they must hold a
FAA Repairman Certificate at a certified FAA Repair Station or
hold an Inspection Authorization (IA) Certificate issued by the
FAA.
To perform repairs, other than preventive
maintenance, the person must hold a FAA Repairman Certificate at
a certified FAA Repair Station or hold a Mechanic (A&P)
Certificate issued by the FAA. Information concerning the
requirement and limitations of these certificates can be found in
the 14 CFR Part 65. In order for someone to perform repairs that
can be considered as preventive maintenance and approve the
balloon for return to service, a person must hold at least a
private pilot certificate issued by the FAA. Additional
information detailing the regulations for maintenance and
preventive maintenance can be found in 14 CFR Part 43.