Our balloonport is based in the heart of Tuscany, an area called Chianti in the town of Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, 12 miles south of Florence and 15 mile from Siena. The area boasts some of the finest vine yards and olive groves in the world, hence rolling hills and stunning scenery, combined with stable weather conditions will make your training course one to remember for the rest of your life.
We operate three 105 000 cu ft and one 90 000 cu ft Balloons, so the training can be varied for better experience. However should you wish to purchase your own Balloon and train in it, we can advise and quote, as we are the agents for Lindstrand Balloons in Italy.

A hot air balloon is a registered aircraft, the same as any fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. As such the person in command must hold a valid Private Pilot's Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority specifically for ballooning; this is known as the PPL(B).

Although anyone with average ability can fulfil the requirements for the PPL(B) outlined below, it is not an activity to be taken lightly. As a pilot you must be sufficiently competent at operating the balloon and have such knowledge to be able to cope with any problems or circumstances that may arise. In addition you will be responsible for the lives of the people you might carry in the basket.

• Minimum flying experience of 16 hours within 24 months.
• A minimum of 6 flights
• A minimum of 4 flights with a BBAC approved Instructor; the rest may be with any valid PPL(B)
• To keep a flight log with flight training records completed by the instructing pilot.
• To keep a BBAC training log; this is a requirement of the BBAC not the CAA.
• To be recommended by a BBAC approved Instructor for a flight test.
• To undertake a flight test examination with a CAA approved Examiner.
• Perform a solo flight under the supervision of the Examiner or an instructor delegated by the Examiner.
• Take written examination in Aviation Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Balloon Systems and Human Performance.
• Medical declaration of fitness signed by your GP. Some GPs will require an examination.
• Attend an approved Landowner Relations Seminar.
• Complete the written examinations and flight test within a 24 month period.

Do not be daunted, the standard required is based on common sense, not academic brilliance!

There are two types of commercial balloon licences: CPL(B) Restricted and CPL(B) (Full).

The CPL(B) Restricted is required if you are undertaking work for a sponsor or being paid by an external agent to operate a balloon. You can fly a sponsored balloon with everything paid for with a PPL but as soon as the sponsor asks you to attend any event then you need a CPL(B) Restricted.

• Declaration of Health signed by your Doctor
• 35 hours flight time in balloons to include 15 hours of instruction as pilot of balloons, 4 free flights (one to above 5,000ft) and 2 tethered flights. 20 hours as P1, of which 16 must be free flights (one with the landing at least 20km from the launch point) and 2 tethered flights.
• General Flight Test with a CAA recognised examiner
• Ground examinations, conducted by the CAA at Gatwick, to be passed in Aviation law, Balloon Systems, Meteorology, Navigation and Human Performance.

The CPL(B) is required if you are flying passengers for money or even if your sponsor wants you to fly people for him. The balloon then needs a transport category C of A (certificate of air worthiness). If you are only flying sponsor's guests, and not charging money for flying other passengers, you are exempted from holding an AOC (air operator's certificate) though you do require a copy of it. For passenger flying the balloon also requires a maintenance log.

• Class 2 medical certificate.
• A minimum of 75 hours as pilot in balloons. This must include the minimum's identified for CPL(B) restricted in addition to not less than 60 hours as P1.
• General Flight Test with a CAA recognised examiner
• Ground examinations as for CPL(B) restricted

The licence you will be aiming for is called a PPL(B) which, stands for a Private Pilot's Licence (Balloons), until you are in possession of the licence documentation, passed all the theoretical exams, completed the flight training and practical examinations you are known as a PUT which is abbreviation for Pilot under Training.
To set up your program to learn to fly and for a quotation please contact us at flyitaly@gmail.com

For further information don't hesitated to call: +39 055 7606816

Licenza Pilota Privato di Pallone Libero o PPL, rilasciata dalla CAA (Civil Aviation Authority, UK), con istruttori ed esaminatori del BBAC (British Balloon and Airship Club). Corso intensivo di 2 settimane o personalizzato secondo le vostre esigenze al Porto Aerostatico di Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa, Toscana. Tutti conoscono il clima gentile ed equilibrato che in tutte le stagioni dell'anno offre quest'area, per l'insegnamento al volo niente di meglio, specialmente quando il territorio è così vario e particolare. L'obbiettivo è quello, in un periodo di 2 settimane, di raggiungere le 16 ore di volo per farVi entrare nel ritmo del volare e fare di Voi un pilota di mongolfiere competente e sicuro. Un addestramento intenso e particolareggiato sotto la guida di piloti istruttori di provata esperienza ha molto a suo favore. Vivrete un'esperienza continua che Vi immergerà totalmente in questa disciplina, l'aerostatica; dall'organizzazione dei voli a come mettere insieme pallone ed equipaggio senza mai essere interrotti dalle varie faccende quotidiane. Naturalmente all'attività pratica di volo si alternerà lo studio delle materie teoriche che dovranno essere imparate per il conseguimento del brevetto, tutto questo nella cornice stupenda della campagna Toscana. L'insegnamento sarà "testa a testa" con un istruttore ed esaminatore del BBAC. La giornata inizia all'alba con l'analisi delle previsioni meteorologiche per poi spostarsi sul campo di lancio per la preparazione del pallone. Lo studente sarà il protagonista ed eseguirà tutte le operazioni, il gonfiaggio, il volo per la durata media di 1 ora e l'atterraggio, tutto sotto la guida e controllo dell'istruttore. Insegneremo le fasi del gonfiaggio e le istruzioni da dare ai passeggeri, imparerete a volare alti e livellati e a ridiscendere per gli avvicinamenti a bassa quota, imparerete tutto sulla gestione del carburante, procedure d'emergenza e radiofonia, navigazione e discese e ascese rapide, atterraggi veloci e non. Queste sono alcune delle cose che Vi insegneremo, quando poi avrete raggiunto lo standard di conoscenza richiesto sarete pronti per l'esame e per il vostro primo volo da soli, sotto la supervisione e responsabilità del vostro istruttore.

I requisiti: età minima 16 anni, conoscenza lingua inglese, diploma medie superiori meglio se ad indirizzo tecnico scientifico, certificato medico di sana e robusta costituzione rilasciato dal proprio medico di famiglia, certificato penale del tribunale di residenza.

I Costi saranno personalizzati a seconda delle Vostre esigenze. Contattateci al più presto. Una volta conseguita l'abilitazione al volo vorrete possedere una vostra "macchina volante", ed in questo Vi potremo essere d'aiuto con una vasta gamma di aerostati e offerte personalizzate.

torna all'inizio