FAA CBG Knowledge Test — Commercial Pilot Balloon - Gas

Under 14 CFR 61.129(h), an applicant for a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-than-Air Category and Gas Balloon Class Rating must log at least how many total hours of flight time as a pilot?

• A35 hours of flight time as a pilot
• B50 hours of flight time as a pilot
• C20 hours of flight time as a pilot
• D100 hours of flight time as a pilot

Under 14 CFR 61.129(h), how many flights in a gas balloon must an applicant perform with an authorized instructor as part of their commercial pilot flight training?

• A3 flights with an instructor in a gas balloon
• B6 flights with an instructor in a gas balloon
• C10 flights with an instructor in a gas balloon
• D12 flights with an instructor in a gas balloon

An applicant for a commercial pilot certificate with a gas balloon rating must log which specific gas balloon flight experience under 14 CFR 61.129(h)?

• A1 flight of 4 hours duration, 1 ascent to 10,000 feet MSL, and 3 solo flights
• B5 flights of 1 hour duration, 2 night flights, and 1 cross-country flight of 50 NM
• C2 flights of at least 2 hours duration, 1 ascent to 5,000 feet above the takeoff point, a…
• D2 flights of 3 hours duration, 1 ascent to 3,000 feet AGL, and 2 solo flights

Which flight operation is authorized for the holder of a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-than-Air Category and Gas Balloon Class Rating?

• AConducting instrument flight rule (IFR) passenger operations in IMC without an instrument…
• BPiloting a hot air balloon carrying passengers for hire without a hot air balloon class r…
• COperating a commercial multi-engine airship carrying cargo without an airship class rating
• DCarrying persons or property for compensation or hire in a gas balloon

Under FAA regulations (14 CFR 61.23), a commercial pilot operating a balloon while carrying passengers for compensation or hire must hold at least what class of FAA medical certificate?

• ASecond-Class Medical Certificate
• BFirst-Class Medical Certificate
• CThird-Class Medical Certificate
• DNo medical certificate is required under any circumstances for commercial balloon operati…

To act as pilot in command of a gas balloon carrying passengers, what recent flight experience must the pilot log within the preceding 90 days under 14 CFR 61.57?

• AAt least 5 hours of PIC flight time in any lighter-than-air aircraft
• BAt least 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop in a gas balloon
• CAt least 1 flight of 2 hours duration in a hot air balloon or gas balloon
• DAt least 3 hours of dual instruction in a gas balloon

Under 14 CFR 61.133(a)(2)(ii), a commercial pilot with a gas balloon rating who does not hold a flight instructor certificate is authorized to perform which instructional activity?

• AEndorse student pilot certificates for solo cross-country flights in fixed-wing airplanes
• BGive flight instruction in hot air balloons and airships without holding those ratings
• CGive flight and ground instruction in a gas balloon for the issuance of a pilot certifica…
• DConduct flight reviews for multi-engine land airplane commercial pilots

According to 14 CFR 91.113(e), which aircraft category has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft, gliders, and airships?

• AAirships
• BGliders
• CRotorcraft
• DBalloons

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what is the minimum safe altitude required for a gas balloon over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement under 14 CFR 91.119(b)?

• A1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet
• B500 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 1,000 feet
• C1,500 feet above the surface
• D2,000 feet above the ground regardless of obstacles

What minimum distance must a gas balloon pilot maintain from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure over non-congested or open water areas under 14 CFR 91.119(c)?

• A1,000 feet
• B500 feet
• C250 feet
• D100 feet

According to 14 CFR 91.15, dropping fine sand ballast from a gas balloon in flight is permissible provided that:

• APrior clearance is obtained from the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) fo…
• BThe ballast is dropped only over designated agricultural drop zones
• CReasonable precautions are taken to prevent creating a hazard to persons or property on t…
• DThe balloon is operating above 10,000 feet MSL

Under 14 CFR 91.211(a)(1), the required minimum flight crew of a gas balloon must use supplemental oxygen during that part of a flight at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to 14,000 feet MSL that exceeds what duration?

• A15 minutes
• B45 minutes
• C60 minutes
• D30 minutes

According to 14 CFR 91.211(a)(3), at what cabin pressure altitude must all occupants (including passengers) of a gas balloon be provided with supplemental oxygen?

• AAbove 15,000 feet MSL
• BAbove 12,500 feet MSL
• CAbove 14,000 feet MSL
• DAbove 18,000 feet MSL

What are the basic VFR flight visibility and distance from clouds minimums for operating a gas balloon in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL under 14 CFR 91.155?

• A1 statute mile visibility; clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal f…
• C5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 statute mile horizo…
• D3 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet above and clear of clouds

For daytime VFR flight operations in Class G airspace at or below 1,200 feet AGL, what are the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements for a gas balloon under 14 CFR 91.155?

• A3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
• C1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet clear of clouds

For nighttime VFR operations in Class G airspace at or below 1,200 feet AGL, what are the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements for a gas balloon under 14 CFR 91.155?

• A1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
• C5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below clouds
• D3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal f…

Under 14 CFR 91.103, for a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, the pilot in command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight, which specifically includes:

• AWeather reports and forecasts, fuel/gas requirements, and landing alternatives
• BOnly the aircraft airworthiness certificate and registration
• CFBO fuel prices and ground transport services
• DAirport surface movement area diagrams only

In accordance with 14 CFR 91.3(b), if an inflight emergency requires immediate action, the pilot in command may:

• ADeviate from FAA regulations only after receiving verbal permission from ATC
• BDeviate from any rule of 14 CFR Part 91 to the extent required to meet that emergency
• CNot deviate from any airspace or cloud clearance rule under any circumstance
• DDeviate only if operating carrying passengers for hire

Under 14 CFR 91.215(b)(3) and 91.225(e), an unequipped gas balloon operating outside Class A, B, or C airspace is generally exempt from Transponder and ADS-B Out requirements above 10,000 feet MSL provided it operates:

• AOnly between sunrise and sunset under VFR
• BWith an operating two-way VHF radio
• CBelow 2,500 feet AGL or outside Class A, B, and C airspace without an electrical system
• DWith a minimum of 2 commercial pilots on board

Under NTSB Part 830.5, which incident or accident involving a gas balloon requires immediate notification to the nearest NTSB field office?

• AA minor tear in the fabric repaired prior to the next flight
• BVenting gas to descend below 1,000 feet AGL
• CA delayed takeoff due to gusty surface winds
• DAn inflight collision with another aircraft or structural failure of an envelope load com…

The operator of an aircraft shall file a completed NTSB Form 6120.1 report with the NTSB field office within how many days after an aircraft accident under NTSB Part 830.15?

• A10 days
• B7 days
• C14 days
• D30 days

To conduct a Special VFR flight in Class D airspace, a balloon pilot must obtain an ATC clearance and maintain at least what weather minimums under 14 CFR 91.157?

• A3 statute miles flight visibility and 500 feet below clouds
• B1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
• C2 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles flight visibility and 1,000 feet above clouds

While acting as pilot in command of a gas balloon, what documents must be in the pilot's personal possession or readily accessible in the aircraft under 14 CFR 61.3?

• ALogbook with all flight time, high school diploma, and aircraft bill of sale
• BAirworthiness certificate, radio station license, and flight instructor certificate
• CValid pilot certificate, appropriate medical certificate (if required), and a government-…
• DPassport, FAA practical test result slip, and pilot logbook

What certificate must be displayed at the cabin or basket entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew under 14 CFR 91.203(b)?

• APilot Certificate
• BMedical Certificate
• CRadio Station License
• DAirworthiness Certificate

Under 14 CFR 91.409, a gas balloon used to carry passengers for compensation or hire must have received an inspection within the preceding:

• A100 hours of time in service and an annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar mo…
• B50 hours of time in service and a bi-annual inspection
• C200 hours of time in service only
• D24 calendar months regardless of flight hours

To maintain pilot-in-command privileges, a commercial gas balloon pilot must complete a flight review every:

• A12 calendar months
• B24 calendar months
• C6 calendar months
• D36 calendar months

Under 14 CFR 91.17, no person may act as a crewmember of a gas balloon within how many hours after consuming alcohol, or while having what blood alcohol concentration?

• A12 hours; 0.08 percent by weight or more
• B24 hours; 0.02 percent by weight or more
• C8 hours; 0.04 percent by weight or more
• D4 hours; 0.05 percent by weight or more

The holder of an FAA commercial pilot certificate who changes their permanent mailing address must notify the FAA Airman Certification Branch in writing within how many days under 14 CFR 61.60?

• A60 days
• B90 days
• C14 days
• D30 days

While 14 CFR Part 91 does not specify a numerical fuel reserve for gas balloons, prudent commercial gas balloon flight planning dictates landing with at least what minimum remaining ballast reserve?

• A20% to 30% of total initial ballast capacity
• B5% of initial ballast capacity
• C50% of initial ballast capacity
• DZero ballast reserve is acceptable if landing near a road

Under 14 CFR 61.51(e), a commercial pilot may log as Pilot in Command (PIC) flight time all flight time during which that pilot:

• AIs observing another commercial pilot manipulate the controls during a passenger flight
• BIs the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, or i…
• CIs receiving ground instruction from a certified ground instructor
• DIs acting as a non-essential ground crew member during inflation

According to Archimedes' Principle, the total buoyant static lift acting upward on a gas balloon envelope in equilibrium equals:

• AThe total atmospheric pressure at ground level multiplied by the envelope surface area
• BThe temperature difference between the gas inside the envelope and ambient air multiplied…
• CThe weight of the atmospheric air displaced by the balloon envelope minus the weight of t…
• DThe weight of the ballast dropped during takeoff plus basket tare weight

At standard sea level conditions (15°C, 29.92 inHg), ambient air density is 0.0765 lb/ft³ and pure Helium density is 0.0106 lb/ft³. What is the net static lift capacity of pure Helium per 1,000 cubic feet?

• AApproximately 71.2 pounds
• BApproximately 50.0 pounds
• CApproximately 76.5 pounds
• DApproximately 65.9 pounds

At standard sea level conditions (15°C, 29.92 inHg), pure Hydrogen has a density of approximately 0.0053 lb/ft³. What is the net static lift capacity of pure Hydrogen per 1,000 cubic feet?

• AApproximately 71.2 pounds
• BApproximately 65.9 pounds
• CApproximately 82.5 pounds
• DApproximately 58.4 pounds

How much additional static lift does pure Hydrogen provide compared to pure Helium per unit volume under standard atmospheric conditions?

• AApproximately 25% to 30% more lift
• BApproximately 8% to 10% more lift
• CApproximately 50% more lift
• DHydrogen and Helium provide identical static lift per unit volume

A gas balloon with an envelope volume of 30,000 cubic feet is inflated with pure Helium at standard sea level conditions (65.9 lbs net lift per 1,000 cu ft). What is the total gross lift generated by the gas?

• A2,136 pounds
• B1,500 pounds
• C1,977 pounds
• D2,295 pounds

A pilot inflates a 25,000 cubic foot gas balloon envelope. Under standard sea level conditions, how much more total gross lift is generated if the balloon is filled with pure Hydrogen (71.2 lbs/1,000 ft³) instead of pure Helium (65.9 lbs/1,000 ft³)?

• A265.0 pounds
• B65.0 pounds
• C197.5 pounds
• D132.5 pounds

What does the term 'superheating' refer to in gas balloon operations?

• AThe condition where solar radiation heats the lifting gas inside the envelope above surro…
• BUsing an onboard propane burner to heat the gas in a pure helium balloon
• CFrictional heating of envelope fabric during rapid descent
• DHeating ballast sand in an oven prior to flight to prevent freezing

As an open gas balloon ascends through ambient air of decreasing barometric pressure, what occurs when the expanding gas completely fills the envelope?

• AThe envelope fabric stretches and ruptures immediately due to internal gas pressure
• BThe balloon reaches its full pressure height, and any further ascent causes excess gas to…
• CThe balloon automatically reverses direction and begins a rapid descent
• DThe gas density increases and net lift doubles instantly

An open gas balloon takes off partially inflated with 25,000 cubic feet of helium at sea level (29.92 inHg). At 5,000 feet MSL, barometric pressure drops to 24.90 inHg (assuming constant gas temperature). What is the new expanded volume of the gas inside the envelope?

• A25,000 cubic feet
• B20,800 cubic feet
• C30,040 cubic feet
• D35,200 cubic feet

During daytime flight, solar heating superheats helium inside a fully inflated gas balloon, causing excess expanded gas to vent through the appendix. When cloud cover or sunset causes the remaining gas to cool back to ambient temperature, what is the immediate effect?

• AThe static lift increases because colder gas is denser and produces more buoyancy
• BThe balloon automatically ascends to a higher equilibrium altitude
• CThe envelope pressure increases and the maneuvering valve opens automatically
• DThe balloon suffers a severe loss of static lift and will establish a steady or accelerat…

A gas balloon with a total gross system weight of 1,800 pounds is in equilibrium. Solar radiation drops due to shadow cover, causing gas cooling that results in a 3% loss of static lift. How many pounds of ballast must the pilot drop to restore equilibrium?

• A54 pounds
• B18 pounds
• C108 pounds
• D180 pounds

What defines the 'equilibrium altitude' or static ceiling of a gas balloon?

• AThe altitude at which atmospheric pressure drops to zero
• BThe altitude at which the total buoyant force of displaced ambient air equals the total g…
• CThe maximum altitude permitted by ATC under VFR flight rules
• DThe altitude where ambient air temperature equals 0°C

Why is fine, dry quartz sand preferred over coarse gravel or dirt clumps as ballast in gas ballooning?

• AFine dry sand absorbs moisture in flight to increase total gross weight
• BGravel is prohibited by 14 CFR Part 91 under all flight conditions
• CFine dry sand flows smoothly and can be metered accurately in small quantities without cr…
• DFine sand reacts chemically with helium to create emergency lift

When a pilot detects a slow descent in a gas balloon, what is the proper technique for dropping sand ballast?

• ADump an entire 50-pound bag of sand immediately to establish a rapid climb
• BVent helium simultaneously while dropping sand to keep the basket level
• CWait until the balloon descends to within 50 feet of trees before releasing ballast
• DDrop sand in small, measured scoops while watching the variometer to assess the trend bef…

A 2,200 lb gross weight gas balloon is descending at 150 ft/min. To arrest the descent and establish neutral equilibrium, the pilot estimates a 1.5% lift deficit. How much ballast should be dropped?

• A33 pounds
• B150 pounds
• C15 pounds
• D66 pounds

How does an increase in density altitude (due to high field elevation or high surface temperature) affect gas balloon performance during launch?

• AIncreased density altitude increases buoyant lift because warm air is lighter
• BDecreased ambient air density reduces static lift, requiring a lighter gross weight or la…
• CDensity altitude affects fixed-wing aircraft only and has zero effect on gas balloon buoy…
• DHigh density altitude causes helium to contract, increasing total lifting capacity

On a warm day with high relative humidity, how does water vapor in the atmosphere affect gas balloon buoyancy compared to a dry day at the same temperature and pressure?

• AHumid air is denser than dry air, which increases static buoyant lift
• BWater vapor has no effect on air density or static lift
• CHumid air is less dense than dry air, which reduces static buoyant lift
• DHigh humidity increases helium purity inside the envelope