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100+ Free FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Practice Questions

Prepare for the FAA Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Knowledge Test (Test Code: SPB) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Exam

SPB

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

40 Questions

Official Question Count

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

2 Hours (120 Min)

Time Limit

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

70%

Passing Score

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

Prepare for the FAA SPB Sport Pilot Balloon Knowledge Test with 100 practice questions covering Part 61/91 regulations, balloon envelope and fuel systems, aerostatic lift calculations, weather interpretation, and tethered/free-flight operations.

Sample FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What medical qualification does 14 CFR § 61.23 require to exercise the privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate with balloon privileges?
A.Must hold at least a Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate
B.None. No medical certificate and no driver's license are required, although § 61.53 still bars flight with a known disqualifying medical condition
C.Must obtain a BasicMed medical examination endorsement every 24 calendar months
D.Must hold a valid U.S. driver's license
Explanation: Section 61.23(b)(2) places a person exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate in a glider or balloon among the operations not requiring a medical certificate at all. The driver's license alternative in § 61.23(c)(1)(ii) is written for § 61.316 aircraft other than gliders and balloons. Section 61.53(b) still prohibits acting as pilot in command while knowing of a medical condition that would make the person unable to operate safely.
2According to 14 CFR § 61.83(b), what is the minimum age required to be eligible for a Student Pilot Certificate restricted to balloon operations?
A.14 years of age
B.16 years of age
C.17 years of age
D.18 years of age
Explanation: 14 CFR § 61.83(b) states that an applicant for a student pilot certificate for operating a glider or balloon must be at least 14 years of age (compared to 16 years of age for powered aircraft like airplanes and rotorcraft).
3What is the minimum age requirement under 14 CFR § 61.305 to be issued a Sport Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) rating?
A.14 years of age
B.16 years of age
C.17 years of age
D.18 years of age
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.305(a)(1), an applicant for a Sport Pilot Certificate in a balloon or glider must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application.
4Under 14 CFR § 61.315, how many passengers may a pilot holding a Sport Pilot Certificate carry on a hot air balloon flight?
A.No passengers; sport pilots must fly solo
B.Not more than one passenger
C.Up to three passengers, provided weight limits are not exceeded
D.Unlimited passengers, as long as the flight is not for compensation or hire
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(4), a sport pilot may not carry more than one passenger on board the aircraft at any time.
5What does 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(5) now say about a sport pilot flying a hot air balloon at night?
A.Flight is permitted at night if the balloon is equipped with position lights
B.Night flight is prohibited except as provided in § 61.329, which requires 3 hours of night flight training in that category and class, an instructor endorsement, and a medical certificate or the § 61.113(i) BasicMed conditions
C.Night flight is prohibited without exception
D.Night flight is permitted only within 5 nautical miles of the departure site
Explanation: The MOSAIC amendments effective October 22, 2025 rewrote § 61.315(c)(5) to read 'At night, except as provided in § 61.329.' Section 61.329 sets out 3 hours of night flight training in the specific category and class, including a night cross-country with a landing at an airport at least 25 NM away and 10 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop, plus an instructor endorsement and either a part 67 medical certificate or compliance with the § 61.113(i) conditions. Night itself is defined in § 1.1 as the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.
6Under 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(11), what maximum altitude limitation applies to a sport pilot operating an aircraft, including a balloon, unless authorized by a specific logbook endorsement?
A.5,000 feet MSL
B.10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
C.12,500 feet MSL
D.18,000 feet MSL
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(11), a sport pilot may not operate an aircraft at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
7To operate a balloon as a sport pilot within Class B, C, or D airspace, or at an airport located within Class B, C, or D airspace, what requirement must be met under 14 CFR § 61.325?
A.Hold a Private Pilot Certificate or higher
B.Receive ground and flight training and a specific logbook endorsement from an authorized flight instructor
C.File an IFR flight plan with ATC 2 hours prior to launch
D.Equip the balloon with a two-way VHF radio and transponder regardless of electrical system
Explanation: 14 CFR § 61.325 specifies that to conduct flight in Class B, C, or D airspace or at an airport located within such airspace, a sport pilot must receive ground and flight training on the required communication and operational procedures and obtain a specific logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor.
8Under 14 CFR § 61.56, what is the maximum time interval allowed between flight reviews for a pilot to continue acting as pilot in command of a balloon?
A.12 calendar months
B.24 calendar months
C.36 calendar months
D.60 calendar months
Explanation: 14 CFR § 61.56(c) states that no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person has accomplished a flight review given by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement.
9To act as pilot in command of a balloon carrying a passenger under 14 CFR § 61.57(a), what recent flight experience must the pilot have accomplished within the preceding 90 days?
A.At least 3 takeoffs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls of a balloon
B.At least 5 hours of flight time in a balloon
C.At least 1 takeoff and landing in a balloon of the same envelope volume
D.At least 10 hours of flight time including 2 tethered inflations
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.57(a)(1), no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers unless, within the preceding 90 days, that person has made at least 3 takeoffs and landings in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required). For balloons, this means 3 balloon takeoffs and landings.
10Under 14 CFR § 61.60, if a pilot changes their permanent mailing address, how many days do they have to notify the FAA Airman Certification Branch in writing before their certificate privileges are suspended?
A.14 days
B.30 days
C.60 days
D.90 days
Explanation: 14 CFR § 61.60 states that the holder of a pilot certificate who has made a change in permanent mailing address may not, after 30 days from that date, exercise the privileges of the pilot certificate unless the FAA has been notified in writing.

About the FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Exam

The FAA SPB Knowledge Test evaluates applicant knowledge for obtaining a Sport Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J. Topics include Part 61 & 91 regulations, hot air balloon envelope and burner systems, aerostatic lift, weight & balance, micro-meteorology, thermal currents, tethering, emergency procedures, and airspace.

Assessment

40 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, balloon systems, aerostatic lift, weather interpretation, and flight operations.

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$175 (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) / PSI Services)

FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Exam Content Outline

30%

FAA Regulations & Sport Pilot Rules (14 CFR Part 61 & 91)

14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J privileges and limitations, logbook endorsements, medical eligibility/statement of health, Part 91 VFR cloud clearances, minimum safe altitudes, oxygen requirements, right-of-way, and mandatory maintenance inspections.

30%

Balloon Equipment, Fuel Systems & Aerostatic Lift

Envelope design and fabric care, crown lines, rip panels, liquid vs vapor propane systems, burner components, blast valves, pyrometer/temp stickers, aerostatic lift physics, temperature differentials, and density altitude payload calculations.

20%

Micro-Meteorology, Thermal Currents & Weather Services

Atmospheric stability, surface wind shear, temperature inversions, thermal convection, false lift, fog formation, METAR/TAF interpretation, Winds Aloft (FB) decoding, and SIGMET/AIRMET advisories.

20%

Flight Operations, Tethering, Navigation & Emergencies

Preflight inspection, layout and inflation, tethering setups and safety, weight and balance, equilibrium control, steerage via wind direction variation with altitude, powerline avoidance, burner flameouts, and high-wind landing procedures.

How to Pass the FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 40 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, balloon systems, aerostatic lift, weather interpretation, and flight operations.
  • Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes)
  • Exam fee: $175

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FAA SPB Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J rules carefully, especially sport pilot privileges, passenger carriage limitations, logbook endorsements, and flight instructor authorization requirements.
2Understand propane thermodynamics: liquid vs vapor draw, fuel pressure dependence on ambient temperature, fuel strainers, blast valve operation, and pilot light maintenance.
3Master aerostatic lift physics: calculate how density altitude and ambient temperature changes affect gross payload and envelope temperature limits.
4Learn micro-meteorological phenomena critical to ballooning: morning inversions, wind shear at top of inversions, false lift during launch, thermal convection, and gust fronts.
5Review high-wind landing procedures, emergency rip panel deployment, powerline contact prevention, and tethering multi-point geometry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA SPB Knowledge Test?

The FAA SPB Knowledge Test is the computer-based written exam required for earning an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate with a Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon) rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J.

How many questions are on the official FAA SPB exam and what is the passing score?

The official exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour (120 minutes) time limit. The passing score is 70% (at least 28 correct answers out of 40).

Does a sport pilot balloon applicant need an FAA medical certificate?

No. Under 14 CFR § 61.23(c)(1)(ii), a pilot seeking or exercising sport pilot privileges in a balloon does not require a medical certificate; however, the pilot must hold a valid U.S. driver's license or certify that they have no known medical condition that would make them unable to operate the aircraft safely.

What topics are heavily emphasized on the SPB exam?

The exam places strong emphasis on hot air balloon propane fuel systems, burner operation, envelope temperature limits, aerostatic lift principles (gross vs net lift, density altitude), surface wind shear/inversions, tethering operations, powerline clearance, and Part 61 Subpart J / Part 91 regulations.