FAA PBG Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Balloon - Gas

Under 14 CFR § 61.23, what medical certificate requirement applies to a pilot exercising the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-than-Air category, Gas Balloon class rating?

• ANo medical certificate is required; the pilot may exercise privileges by holding a valid…
• BA Third-Class Medical Certificate is required, valid for 60 calendar months for pilots un…
• CA BasicMed qualification is required, requiring a physical examination every 48 months.
• DA Second-Class Medical Certificate is required for all balloon operations carrying passen…

What is the minimum age requirement under 14 CFR § 61.103 to be eligible for a Private Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-than-Air category, Gas Balloon class rating?

• A16 years of age
• B17 years of age
• C18 years of age
• D15 years of age

To maintain currency as pilot in command of a gas balloon under 14 CFR § 61.56, within what timeframe must a private pilot complete a flight review?

• A24 calendar months
• B12 calendar months
• C36 calendar months
• D6 calendar months

According to 14 CFR § 61.57, what recent flight experience is required for a private pilot to act as pilot in command of a gas balloon carrying passengers?

• A3 takeoffs and landings in a gas balloon within the preceding 90 days
• B5 takeoffs and landings in any balloon within the preceding 60 days
• C3 hours of flight time in a gas balloon within the preceding 30 days
• D1 flight of at least 2 hours duration within the preceding 12 calendar months

Under 14 CFR § 91.113, which aircraft has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft and gliders?

• AA balloon
• BA glider
• CAn airship
• DAn aircraft in distress

Which general rule under 14 CFR § 91.119 applies to minimum safe altitudes for operating a balloon over congested areas?

• AExcept when necessary for takeoff or landing, a balloon must maintain 1,000 feet above th…
• BA balloon may operate over congested areas at any altitude allowing an emergency landing…
• CBalloons are prohibited from flying over congested areas under all circumstances.
• DA balloon must maintain at least 500 feet above the surface at all times except during ta…

What are the basic VFR weather minimums for operating a gas balloon in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during daylight hours under 14 CFR § 91.155?

• A1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles flight visibility and 500 feet below clouds
• C1 statute mile flight visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above clouds
• D5 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds

Under 14 CFR § 91.155, what distance from clouds must a gas balloon maintain when operating VFR in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL?

• A500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal
• B1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 statute mile horizontal
• CClear of clouds
• D500 feet below, 500 feet above, and 1,000 feet horizontal

What is the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance required for VFR balloon flight within Class B airspace under 14 CFR § 91.155?

• A3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above clouds
• C5 statute miles visibility and 1,000 feet clear of clouds
• D1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds

When flying over open water or sparsely populated areas, what minimum distance from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure must a balloon pilot maintain under 14 CFR § 91.119(c)?

• A500 feet
• B1,000 feet
• C200 feet
• D100 feet

According to NTSB Part 830, which occurrence requires immediate notification to the nearest National Transportation Safety Board field office?

• AAn in-flight collision between aircraft
• BA minor tear in the envelope repaired prior to flight
• CA landing delayed by light surface winds
• DA inadvertent venting of excess gas during ascent

Under 14 CFR § 91.119, what primary requirement governs a gas balloon operating over a non-congested area?

• AAn altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated a…
• BAn absolute ceiling of 2,000 feet AGL.
• CMandatory radar contact with local ATC.
• DA minimum clearance of 1,000 feet above all high-voltage transmission lines.

What are the night VFR visibility and cloud clearance requirements for operating a gas balloon in Class G airspace below 10,000 feet MSL under 14 CFR § 91.155?

• A3 statute miles flight visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizonta…
• B1 statute mile flight visibility; clear of clouds
• C5 statute miles flight visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile hor…
• D3 statute miles flight visibility; clear of clouds

When operating a gas balloon between sunset and sunrise, what lighting equipment must be displayed under 14 CFR § 91.209?

• APosition lights (aviation red, green, and white) or an approved red/white anti-collision…
• BContinuous strobe lights mounted on the apex of the envelope only
• CHigh-intensity floodlights illuminating the basket interior
• DNo lights are required if operating under VFR below 1,200 feet AGL

Under 14 CFR § 91.211, at what cabin pressure altitude must the required minimum flight crew of a gas balloon be provided with and use supplemental oxygen after 30 minutes?

• AAbove 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL
• BAbove 10,000 feet MSL up to and including 12,000 feet MSL
• CAbove 14,000 feet MSL
• DAbove 15,000 feet MSL

At what altitude must the required flight crew of a gas balloon use supplemental oxygen continuously during the entire time spent at that altitude under 14 CFR § 91.211?

• AAbove 14,000 feet MSL
• BAbove 12,500 feet MSL
• CAbove 10,000 feet MSL
• DAbove 18,000 feet MSL

According to 14 CFR § 91.211, at what cabin pressure altitude must each occupant of a gas balloon be provided with supplemental oxygen?

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

Under 14 CFR § 91.113(d), when two balloons are converging at approximately the same altitude, which balloon has the right-of-way?

• AThe balloon to the other's right
• BThe balloon at the higher altitude
• CThe balloon carrying passengers
• DThe balloon with the smaller volume

What regulation under 14 CFR § 91.15 governs the dropping of ballast (such as fine dry sand or water) from a gas balloon in flight?

• ABallast may be dropped if reasonable precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to p…
• BDropping ballast of any kind is strictly prohibited over land.
• CBallast may only be dropped within designated military operations areas.
• DBallast drops require prior ATC clearance regardless of airspace class.

Under 14 CFR § 61.109(h), what total flight time experience must an applicant log to qualify for a Private Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-than-Air category, Gas Balloon class rating?

• AAt least 10 hours of flight time in a gas balloon, including 6 flights under the supervis…
• BAt least 40 hours of total flight time, including 20 hours of dual instruction
• CAt least 25 hours of flight time in balloons, including 15 hours of solo flight
• DAt least 50 hours of total flight time, including 10 hours of cross-country

Under 14 CFR § 91.3, who is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of a gas balloon?

• AThe Pilot in Command (PIC)
• BThe ground chase crew chief
• CThe local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
• DThe owner of the balloon envelope

Under 14 CFR § 91.103, what preflight action is required for a pilot in command prior to launching a gas balloon cross-country flight?

• ABecome familiar with all available information concerning that flight, including weather…
• BFile an IFR flight plan with Air Traffic Control.
• CObtain written authorization from the local airport manager.
• DPerform a 100-hour inspection of the valve assembly.

Are gas balloons required to be equipped with an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) under 14 CFR § 91.207?

• ANo, balloons are specifically exempted from ELT requirements under 14 CFR § 91.207(e)(1).
• BYes, all balloons operating outside a 25 NM radius from launch must carry an ELT.
• CYes, an ELT is required for all night balloon flights.
• DNo, but an ELT is required if passengers are carried for compensation.

Under 14 CFR § 91.215, what exception applies to a gas balloon operating without an engine-driven electrical system within a Mode C Veil (within 30 NM of Class B primary airport)?

• AA balloon certified without an engine-driven electrical system may operate within the Mod…
• BA balloon must always install a battery-powered Mode C transponder before entering a Mode…
• CBalloons are banned from entering Mode C veils under any circumstances.
• DBalloons may enter Class B airspace without a transponder if carrying fine sand ballast.

What ADS-B Out equipment requirement exception under 14 CFR § 91.225 applies to gas balloons lacking an engine-driven electrical system?

• ABalloons without an engine-driven electrical system are exempt from ADS-B Out requirement…
• BBalloons must carry a portable ADS-B Out beacon for all VFR flights above 1,200 feet AGL.
• CADS-B Out is required only during solo flight operations.
• DBalloons are exempt from ADS-B Out rules inside Class B airspace.

Under 14 CFR Part 61, how are lighter-than-air ratings categorized regarding class ratings for balloons?

• AGas Balloon and Free Balloon with Airborne Heater
• BGas Balloon, Hot Air Balloon, and Thermal Airship
• CHydrogen Balloon and Helium Balloon
• DControlled Gas Balloon and Uncontrolled Free Balloon

Under 14 CFR § 61.53, what prohibition applies to a balloon pilot who experiences a temporary medical condition that impairs flight safety?

• AThe pilot must not act as pilot in command or in any other capacity as a required flight…
• BThe pilot may fly provided a certified flight instructor is in the basket.
• CThe pilot may fly under day VFR below 1,200 feet AGL only.
• DThe pilot must surrender their pilot certificate to the FSDO within 5 days.

Operating a gas balloon in close proximity to powerlines so as to endanger persons or property on the surface violates which section of 14 CFR Part 91?

• A14 CFR § 91.13 Careless or reckless operation
• B14 CFR § 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes
• C14 CFR § 91.15 Dropping objects
• D14 CFR § 91.103 Preflight action

Within how many days after an aircraft accident must a operator file a detailed written report with the NTSB under NTSB Part 830.15?

• A10 days
• B7 days
• C30 days
• D48 hours

What requirement must be met under 14 CFR § 91.157 to obtain a Special VFR clearance to operate a balloon within Class D surface airspace?

• AClearance from ATC, 1 statute mile ground visibility, and remaining clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles ground visibility and 1,000 feet ceiling
• CInstrument flight rating and IFR-equipped balloon
• DNight lighting equipment and transponder authorization

Which fundamental physical principle explains how a gas balloon generates buoyant upward force in the atmosphere?

• AArchimedes' Principle
• BBernoulli's Principle
• CNewton's Third Law of Motion
• DPascal's Law

How does the density of helium compare to the density of dry air under standard atmospheric conditions (STP)?

• AHelium has approximately 14% of the density of air.
• BHelium has approximately 50% of the density of air.
• CHelium is denser than air but lighter than hydrogen.
• DHelium has approximately 7% of the density of air.

How does the density of pure hydrogen gas compare to the density of dry air under standard temperature and pressure (STP)?

• AHydrogen has approximately 7% of the density of air.
• BHydrogen has approximately 25% of the density of air.
• CHydrogen is equal in density to helium.
• DHydrogen has 50% of the density of helium.

What is the approximate theoretical gross lifting capacity of helium per 1,000 cubic feet under standard sea-level atmospheric conditions?

• A62 to 65 pounds
• B70 to 73 pounds
• C40 to 45 pounds
• D85 to 90 pounds

What is the approximate theoretical gross lifting capacity of pure hydrogen gas per 1,000 cubic feet under standard atmospheric conditions?

• A68 to 71 pounds
• B60 to 62 pounds
• C50 to 55 pounds
• D80 to 85 pounds

Which gas law states that at a constant temperature, the volume of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure?

• ABoyle's Law
• BCharles's Law
• CGay-Lussac's Law
• DAvogadro's Law

Which gas law explains why heating the lifting gas inside a gas balloon envelope increases its volume and reduces its density at constant pressure?

• ACharles's Law
• BBoyle's Law
• CDalton's Law
• DPascal's Law

What is the definition of 'superheating' in gas balloon operations?

• AThe temperature of the lifting gas inside the envelope becoming higher than the surroundi…
• BThe heating of ambient air beneath the balloon basket by ground thermals.
• CThe over-pressurization of the envelope due to rapid vertical climb.
• DThe thermal friction generated along the outer envelope skin during high-speed descent.

Why does a partially filled gas balloon envelope expand during ascent to higher altitudes?

• AAtmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, allowing the enclosed lifting gas to expand…
• BAmbient air density increases with altitude, pushing gas outward.
• CGravity decreases significantly at flight altitudes, relieving tension on the fabric.
• DAtmospheric temperature increases rapidly in the troposphere.

What is the primary operational purpose of keeping the bottom appendix (neck) of a gas balloon open during flight?

• ATo allow expanding lifting gas to escape automatically during ascent and prevent overpres…
• BTo permit ambient air to enter and cool the internal gas.
• CTo allow the pilot to inspect the inner netting load lines.
• DTo vent heavy ballast sand directly from the envelope apex.

How does high relative humidity affect the gross lifting capacity of a gas balloon?

• AIt reduces gross lifting capacity because moist air is less dense than dry air, providing…
• BIt increases gross lifting capacity because water vapor adds weight to the displaced atmo…
• CRelative humidity has zero effect on atmospheric density or buoyancy.
• DIt increases gross lift by cooling the gas envelope faster.

What effect does high density altitude have on a gas balloon's performance at takeoff?

• AIt reduces gross buoyancy, requiring a lighter total takeoff load or discharging ballast…
• BIt increases gross buoyancy, allowing heavier payloads.
• CIt speeds up ascent rates without altering ballast requirements.
• DIt increases maneuvering valve sealing pressure.

A gas balloon has an envelope volume of 30,000 cubic feet filled with helium producing 62 pounds of gross lift per 1,000 cubic feet. If the empty balloon system (envelope, basket, net, equipment) weighs 610 pounds, what is the maximum allowable payload (crew and ballast)?

• A1,250 pounds
• B1,860 pounds
• C2,470 pounds
• D1,470 pounds

During a sunny daytime flight, how does superheating affect a gas balloon that has already reached full envelope expansion (pressure height)?

• AInternal gas expands further, forcing excess gas out through the open appendix and leavin…
• BThe balloon gains permanent gross lift without losing any gas.
• CThe gas contracts, causing an immediate vertical descent.
• DThe envelope collapses due to internal vacuum.

What operational hazard occurs at sunset when solar superheating of a gas balloon envelope dissipates?

• AThe internal lifting gas cools rapidly to ambient temperature, causing gas contraction, l…
• BThe envelope overpressurizes and ruptures.
• CThe balloon experiences rapid upward acceleration toward Class A airspace.
• DThe maneuvering valve freezes shut instantly.

A gas balloon's unexpanded envelope contains 20,000 cubic feet of helium at sea level standard pressure (29.92 inHg). As the balloon ascends to an altitude where ambient pressure drops to 23.93 inHg while gas temperature remains constant, what is the new volume of the expanding gas?

• A25,000 cubic feet
• B16,000 cubic feet
• C30,000 cubic feet
• D20,000 cubic feet

What phenomenon causes a gas balloon to experience 'false lift' immediately after launching into a strong surface temperature inversion?

• AThe balloon climbs through a surface cold air layer into a warm air layer aloft, where re…
• BThe lifting gas expands rapidly due to low surface humidity.
• CWind shear compresses the top of the envelope.
• DThe basket becomes heavier as it leaves ground proximity.

What aerodynamic force opposes the descent of a gas balloon and helps determine its terminal descent velocity?

• AForm drag and skin friction of the envelope and basket moving through air
• BInduced drag generated by balloon rotation
• CPropulsive thrust from thermal updrafts
• DCentripetal acceleration from envelope expansion