The Air Navigation Order 2009

SUB-SECTION 3 Balloon and airship pilots

Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships)

Minimum age – 17 years

No maximum period of validity

Privileges:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the holder of a Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships) is entitled to fly as pilot in command of any type of balloon or airship on which the holder is so qualified and which is specified in an aircraft rating in the licence and as co-pilot of any type of balloon or airship specified in such a rating.

(2) The holder may not—

(a) fly such a balloon or airship for the purpose of public transport or aerial work, other than aerial work which consists of instruction or testing in a club environment;

(b) receive any remuneration for services as a pilot on a flight other than remuneration for the giving of such instruction or the conducting of such flying tests as are specified in sub-paragraph (a); or

(c) fly such a balloon unless the holder has within the immediately preceding 13 months carried out as pilot in command in a free balloon at least five flights each of not less than five minutes duration.

Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Balloons)

Minimum age – 18 years

Maximum period of validity – 10 years

Privileges:

(1) The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Balloons) is entitled to exercise the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships).

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the holder is entitled to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of any type of balloon specified in the aircraft rating included in the licence when the balloon is flying for any purpose whatsoever.

(3) The holder may not act as pilot in command on a flight for the purpose of the public transport of passengers unless the holder has within the immediately preceding 90 days carried out as pilot in command in a free balloon at least three flights each of not less than five minutes duration.

Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Airships)

Minimum age – 18 years

Maximum period of validity – 10 years

Privileges:

(1) The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Airships) is entitled to exercise the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships).

(2) The holder is entitled to fly as pilot in command of any type of airship on which the holder is so qualified and which is specified in an aircraft rating included in the licence and as co-pilot of any type of airship specified in such a rating, when the airship is flying for any purpose whatsoever.