FAA Private Pilot — Balloon, Hot Air (PBH)

Under 14 CFR Part 61, what is the minimum age to be eligible for a private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air (balloon) category rating?

• A16 years old
• B14 years old
• C17 years old
• D18 years old

A hot air balloon is which category of aircraft for certification purposes?

• ARotorcraft
• BLighter-than-air
• CPowered-lift
• DGlider

Per 14 CFR 91.151, a hot air balloon flown VFR in the daytime must carry enough fuel to complete the planned flight plus a reserve of at least how many minutes at normal operating consumption?

• A45 minutes
• B30 minutes
• C20 minutes
• D60 minutes

During balloon operations, who is directly responsible for, and the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft?

• AThe crew chief
• BThe launch site coordinator
• CThe balloon owner
• DThe pilot in command

What is the basic VFR daytime flight visibility requirement for a balloon operating in Class G airspace at 1,200 feet or less above the surface?

• A1 statute mile
• B3 statute miles
• C5 statute miles
• DNo minimum visibility

Which airspace generally surrounds a busy primary airport from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL and requires ATC clearance before a balloon may enter?

• AClass E airspace
• BClass B airspace
• CClass G airspace
• DMilitary Operations Area

Per 14 CFR 91.119, except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what is the minimum safe altitude over a congested area such as a town or city?

• A500 feet above the surface
• B700 feet above the highest obstacle
• C1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet horizontally
• D1,500 feet above ground level

Under 14 CFR 61.57, to act as pilot in command carrying passengers in a balloon, a pilot must have made at least how many flights within the preceding 6 calendar months, each at least 30 minutes (or as otherwise specified)?

• AOne flight
• BSix flights
• CThree takeoffs and landings
• DTwo flights

A private pilot with a balloon rating may NOT do which of the following?

• AAct as pilot in command for a balloon ride business charging the public for compensation
• BCarry passengers for free
• CShare operating expenses pro rata with passengers
• DFly for personal recreation

Which document is NOT required to be available for a balloon during flight operations?

• AAirworthiness certificate
• BA copy of the pilot's logbook
• COperating limitations
• DRegistration certificate

What class of medical certificate is required to exercise private pilot privileges in a balloon?

• AFirst-class medical
• BThird-class medical
• CNo FAA medical certificate is required for balloons
• DSecond-class medical

Per 14 CFR 91.17, a pilot may not act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft within how many hours after consuming alcohol?

• A4 hours
• B24 hours
• C12 hours
• D8 hours

When two balloons are converging at approximately the same altitude, which has the right of way?

• AThe balloon to the other's right
• BThe balloon to the other's left
• CThe balloon at the higher altitude
• DThe balloon descending faster

A balloon and an airplane are converging. Which aircraft has the right of way?

• AThe airplane, because it is faster
• BThe balloon, because it is less maneuverable
• CWhichever is at higher altitude
• DNeither; both must turn right

Per 14 CFR 91.211, supplemental oxygen must be used by the required minimum flight crew when the cabin pressure altitude is above 14,000 feet MSL for any duration, and above what altitude for more than 30 minutes?

• A10,000 feet MSL
• B15,000 feet MSL
• C12,500 feet MSL
• D18,000 feet MSL

What is the primary structural component of a hot air balloon that contains the heated air?

• AThe basket
• BThe skirt
• CThe burner frame
• DThe envelope

What is the fabric panel at the base of the envelope, adjacent to the burner output, usually made of a fire-resistant material?

• AThe skirt (nomex throat)
• BThe parachute valve
• CThe crown
• DThe load tape

What is the primary purpose of the parachute valve at the top of a hot air balloon envelope?

• ATo add fuel to the burner
• BTo allow controlled venting of hot air for descent and rapid deflation after landing
• CTo measure envelope temperature
• DTo inflate the envelope with cold air

Why does the parachute valve reseat itself after the pilot releases the vent line in normal flight?

• ASpring tension pulls it down
• BThe burner blast forces it shut
• CInternal envelope pressure pushes the valve fabric back against the opening
• DCentrifugal force from the rising air

What is the function of the blast valve on a hot air balloon burner?

• AIt regulates propane tank pressure
• BIt controls the pilot light flame size
• CIt vents the envelope
• DIt delivers a high-volume burst of liquid propane through the main burner coil for maximu…

What is the main advantage of using the whisper (pilot or liquid) burner instead of the main blast valve?

• AIt operates more quietly and is used near livestock, animals, or for gentle heating
• BIt produces more total heat
• CIt uses no fuel
• DIt cools the envelope

Hot air balloons commonly use which fuel stored as a liquid under pressure in cylinders?

• AAviation gasoline (100LL)
• BPropane
• CHydrogen
• DJet-A kerosene

Why does propane cylinder vapor pressure decrease during a flight, especially in cold weather?

• AThe propane chemically changes
• BThe cylinder leaks nitrogen
• CAs liquid propane is drawn off and vaporized, it absorbs heat and the remaining liquid co…
• DThe burner heats the tank too much

What instrument tells the balloon pilot the temperature of the air at the top of the envelope?

• AAltimeter
• BVariometer audio only
• CVertical speed indicator
• DPyrometer (envelope temperature gauge)

What does a balloon's altimeter measure?

• AAtmospheric pressure converted to indicated altitude
• BRate of climb
• CEnvelope fabric temperature
• DWind speed

What does the vertical speed indicator (VSI) or variometer provide to a balloon pilot?

• AIndicated airspeed
• BThe rate of climb or descent in feet per minute
• CHeading information
• DEnvelope volume

Why is responding to the VSI early important when flying a hot air balloon?

• AThe VSI is unreliable below 1,000 feet
• BThe VSI controls the burner automatically
• CA balloon has large vertical inertia and a long lag between burner input and altitude res…
• DWind gusts make the VSI useless

What are load tapes on a hot air balloon envelope?

• ADecorative striping on the fabric
• BThe fuel line wrappings
• CTemperature-sensitive labels
• DReinforcing webbing sewn over the gore seams that carry the envelope's structural loads t…

What is the purpose of a temperature tell-tale or fabric temperature indicator label inside the envelope?

• ATo indicate if the envelope fabric has been exposed to excessive temperature
• BTo show fuel quantity
• CTo measure outside air temperature
• DTo time the flight

Which component connects the envelope to the basket and transfers the lifting load?

• AThe parachute valve line
• BThe suspension cables/wires (load frame attachment)
• CThe crown line
• DThe drag rope

What is the crown line of a hot air balloon used for?

• AReading altitude
• BMeasuring envelope temperature
• CControlling and stabilizing the top of the envelope during inflation and deflation
• DFeeding fuel to the burner

Why do many balloons have a pilot light (standing flame) on the burner?

• ATo provide cabin heat
• BTo cool the burner coil
• CTo measure fuel flow
• DTo provide a continuous ignition source so the blast valve can be fired instantly

If the burner pilot light goes out in flight, what should the pilot generally do first?

• AUse the piezo igniter or striker/spark to relight, while managing altitude with available…
• BImmediately open the parachute valve fully
• CClimb to a higher altitude
• DDisconnect the fuel cylinder

What is the purpose of a fuel cylinder liquid shutoff valve?

• ATo vent vapor to atmosphere
• BTo stop the flow of liquid propane from the cylinder to the burner
• CTo increase tank pressure
• DTo read fuel temperature

What safety device on a propane cylinder releases excess pressure if the tank overheats?

• AThe liquid shutoff valve
• BThe fuel gauge
• CThe pressure relief valve
• DThe blast valve

Why should propane cylinders generally not be filled completely to 100 percent of their volume?

• ATo save money on fuel
• BTo prevent the fuel gauge from working
• CTo make the balloon lighter for no reason
• DTo leave vapor space so the liquid can expand with temperature without overpressurizing t…

A hot air balloon generates lift because the heated air inside the envelope is:

• ALess dense than the surrounding cooler air
• BHeavier than the surrounding air
• CThe same density as the outside air
• DCompressed to high pressure

Which principle states that a body immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces?

• ABernoulli's principle
• BArchimedes' principle
• CNewton's third law only
• DBoyle's law

According to Charles's Law, what happens to a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure when its temperature increases?

• AIts volume decreases
• BIts mass increases
• CIts volume increases (so its density decreases)
• DIts pressure doubles

On a hot, high-density-altitude day, how is a balloon's lift capacity affected compared to a cool day?

• ALift capacity increases
• BThe envelope shrinks
• CLift capacity is unchanged
• DLift capacity decreases because the cooler outside air is less dense, reducing buoyant fo…

What does a 'weigh-off' before flight determine?

• AThe amount of envelope heat needed to bring the loaded balloon to neutral buoyancy/equili…
• BThe exact weight of the propane only
• CThe wind direction at altitude
• DThe age of the envelope fabric

A balloon is in equilibrium when:

• AThe burner is at full power
• BThe total weight of the balloon equals the buoyant force, so it neither climbs nor descen…
• CThe envelope is fully vented
• DThe basket touches the ground

What is 'false lift' in balloon operations?

• ALift created by venting the envelope
• BLift from the pilot light
• CApparent extra lift during launch in wind as the balloon accelerates with the wind, which…
• DLift caused by cooling the air

As a balloon climbs, atmospheric pressure decreases. What is the general effect on the envelope's air and lift if the pilot does not adjust heat?

• AThe balloon gains unlimited lift
• BThe propane freezes solid
• CThe envelope collapses immediately
• DThe trapped air expands and some spills out the open mouth, so without added heat the bal…

What is the standard atmospheric temperature lapse rate often used for estimating temperature change with altitude?

• AAbout 2 degrees C (3.5 degrees F) per 1,000 feet
• BAbout 1 degree C per 1,000 feet
• CAbout 10 degrees C per 1,000 feet
• DTemperature does not change with altitude

Why do balloon pilots prefer to fly in the early morning shortly after sunrise?

• AAir is most turbulent then
• BSurface winds are typically lightest and the air is most stable before solar heating crea…
• CIt is the only legal time to fly
• DThe sun makes the balloon climb by itself

What is a thermal, and why is it a hazard to balloon operations?

• AA cold downdraft from a thunderstorm
• BA type of fog
• CA rising column of warm air from solar surface heating that can cause sudden uncommanded…
• DA cloud type

A temperature inversion near the surface in the early morning generally indicates what for balloon flying?

• ASevere turbulence and strong gusts
• BZero visibility guaranteed
• CImminent thunderstorms
• DA stable atmosphere with smooth air, favorable for ballooning