Balloon the Rockies
Hot Air Balloon
Private and Commercial 141 Training School Balloon the Rockies specializes in the fast efficient training of prospective hot air balloon pilots. Students who enroll in the school can usually earn an FAA Hot Air Balloon Certificate within 2 weeks of their first day of training. With 141 certification, we can administer a "check ride" on site and issue a private certificate in as little as 8 hours of flying time or commercial in 10. Private Certificate training is usually completed within a 8 day period. The cost of the Private course is $3,300 plus fuel. The Commercial course takes about 10 or 11 days and costs $4,400 plus fuel. Fuel costs vary with the season but are usually around $400 for the private and $500 for the commercial. Fuel costs are less in the winter. Unfortunately, the FAA requires completion of the Private course before enrolling in the Commercial course. However, applicants holding a US private certificate in any discipline of aircraft can enroll directly into the Commercial course. The cost of both courses back to back is $6,600 plus fuel. Please allow at least 16 days for the completion both the private and Commercial courses when taken sequentially. Both courses include the use of our late model, double burner balloons, training, study material, crew and checkride. It is best if the student passes the necessary FAA written test(s) before starting the course. We can offer assistance with this as well. The training season in the mountains generally falls from January to March and then from May to October. However, if your schedule only permits you time in the off season, please call to discuss the possibilities. This is by no means a "crash course" or short cut to a license. It is an intense FAA Approved 141 School teaching method that develops a student's skills much more rapidly because of consistent daily attention to fundamentals and "building " on them. Very little time is lost re-learning basic skills as the student moves into more advanced maneuvers. Most pilots will attest to actual years of waiting before they recieved their certificate because scheduling, weather, ground school, and relearning delays. Much of what is learned at the school is a philosophy with goals as well as the flying skills needed to pass the test. This philosophy will assist in improving the new pilot's skill level on every future flight and help simplify operational judgements needed as pilot in command.
We train in small, high performance, double burner, Aerostar Balloons. When you are finished, you will be able to competently fly any brand of balloon system on the market today. Balloon the Rockies also operates a full service balloon repair facility on site. The facility offers "hands on" experience in understanding balloon maintenance and what is required. We also offer initial maintenance training courses for those wanting to enter the balloon maintenance and repair profession. We hope we can assist you in your "urge" to get off the ground in a balloon. Drop us an email or call for scheduling. Sincerely, Mike Bauwens, Chief Instructor Balloon the Rockies
|
;
Come to beautiful Park City, Utah and
take advantage of our wonderful Rocky Mountain weather. We had a successful 2007
training season, issuing 14 FAA Airmen certificates to students from around the world. Learn from Mike Bauwens, a 5,000+ hour
pilot who has flown in many parts of the world in all conditions (it seems like).
You can specialize in professional ride operations, racing, mountain flying, or just safe
quality sport flying.