08/22/2026
🎈 HOW DO YOU GET INTO HOT AIR BALLOONING? 🎈
One of the questions we hear often is, “How can I get involved in ballooning?”
You do not have to own a balloon or become a pilot to be part of this incredible community. One of the best ways to begin is by joining a balloon crew!
Crew members help with every part of the experience, including:
🎈 Unloading and preparing the equipment
🎈 Laying out the balloon envelope
🎈 Assisting with cold and hot inflation
🎈 Helping create a safe launch
🎈 Following the balloon in the chase vehicle
🎈 Assisting with landing and recovery
🎈 Packing the balloon after the flight
Crewing allows you to learn how balloons work, understand important safety procedures, meet pilots, and experience ballooning from a completely different perspective. Many pilots began their ballooning journey as crew members!
If your goal is to become a pilot, the next step is connecting with a commercial balloon pilot who provides instruction. Student pilots learn about balloon systems, weather, navigation, airspace, flight planning, emergency procedures, launches, landings, and much more.
Under current FAA requirements, someone may qualify for a student pilot certificate for balloon operations at age 14 and a private balloon pilot certificate at age 16. A private hot air balloon rating requires a minimum of 10 hours of flight training, at least six training flights with an authorized instructor, a solo flight, required flight maneuvers, a written knowledge test, and a practical test with an FAA examiner.
Those are minimum requirements. Becoming a safe and confident pilot takes time, practice, good instruction, and plenty of patience with the weather.
If ballooning has ever sparked your curiosity, start by introducing yourself to a local pilot, contacting a balloon club, or asking how you can help crew. Please wait until the pilot and crew are not actively preparing for a launch or landing.
Some of the greatest ballooning adventures and friendships begin with one simple question:
“Do you need an extra set of hands?” 🎈
