Hot air balloon schools train for the FAA private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air balloon rating. Training and testing follow 14 CFR Part 61.
How to read this page
Every fact comes from the school's own public page, linked beside it with the date we checked it. Where a school does not print a date for its prices, the prices are treated as current and the rate-date line says "Not listed by the school". Where a school does not say something, the page says "Not listed by the school". Prices change often and taxes, fees and gear are usually extra, so confirm with the school before you book.
4 schools in 4 states. This list is not complete.
Jump to: Arizona (1) · Connecticut (1) · New Mexico (1) · Ohio (1)
Arizona
Fly 2 Us
Location: Phoenix, Arizona Location source ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
Training, as the school describes it: Hot air balloon private pilot training; the school says winter training can finish in as little as 10 days
Rate date printed by the school: Not listed by the school
The hourly rate is plus fuel and, per the school, includes crew, ground transport and equipment.
Connecticut
Aer Blarney Balloons
Location: Bethlehem, Connecticut Location source ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
Training, as the school describes it: Private pilot and additional-rating flight training in hot air balloons
Rate date printed by the school: Not listed by the school
The school's own estimate for private training is $3,000 to $5,000. Training in your own balloon means you supply the balloon, vehicle, crew, fuel and insurance.
New Mexico
Airborne Heat Ballooning
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Location source ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
Training, as the school describes it: Private and commercial hot air balloon flight and ground school; the school says it is an FAA Part 141 school
Rate date printed by the school: Not listed by the school
The school gives full training prices on request; its page gives a range from around $3,100 (minimum hours, student-provided equipment) to over $10,000.
Ohio
Columbus Aeronauts
Location: Columbus, Ohio Location source ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
Training, as the school describes it: Hot air balloon flight training toward the FAA private pilot certificate, with time on the retrieve crew
Rate date printed by the school: Not listed by the school
The school says training cost can sometimes be folded into a balloon purchase or adjusted for time spent crewing, and suggests about a year of training.
Hot air balloon schools with the training and prices each school publishes on its own page. Last checked Oct 29, 2026.
FAA basics for balloon pilots
These points are in our own words; the linked source pages are the official word. Rules change, so confirm the details with the FAA and with the school before you train.
- Private pilot, balloon. The FAA's Balloon Flying Handbook says you must be at least 16 for a private pilot certificate with a balloon rating, and must complete the training and flight time in 14 CFR Part 61, pass a knowledge test and pass a practical test. A private balloon pilot may carry passengers but may not be paid.Source: FAA Balloon Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-11B, Chapter 1 (page last updated Dec 23, 2024) ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
- Solo at 14. The FAA says you can be eligible for a student pilot certificate at 14 if you plan to fly a glider or balloon (16 for other aircraft). You need the student certificate before you fly solo, not before lessons.Source: FAA Become a Pilot: student pilot certificate (page last updated Jun 4, 2026) ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
- No medical certificate. The handbook says balloon pilots flying with student, sport or private privileges do not need an FAA medical certificate to fly as pilot in command in the US. A pilot who already holds a powered-aircraft certificate can add a balloon rating without the knowledge test, but still needs the flight training and practical test.Source: FAA Balloon Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-11B, Chapter 1 (page last updated Dec 23, 2024) ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
- Hot air balloons and Part 103. The FAA's ultralight advisory circular counts balloons as unpowered vehicles, so the Part 103 limits for unpowered ultralights (under 155 pounds, one person) apply to them. The schools on this page train for the FAA private pilot certificate with a balloon rating.Source: FAA Advisory Circular 103-7, The Ultralight Vehicle (dated Jan 30, 1984) ↗ · checked Oct 29, 2026
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