The Air Navigation Order 2016

SECTION 3 Balloon and airship pilots

Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships)

Minimum age:

17 years

Privileges:

(1) The holder of a Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships) is entitled—

(a) in accordance with the remainder of this paragraph, to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot 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, unless prohibited by paragraph (2);

(b) to fly such a balloon or airship for the purpose of commercial operation—

(i) which consists of instruction or flying examinations, provided that—

(aa) in the case of instruction, the licence includes an appropriate instructor certificate; and

(bb) in the case of flying examinations, the holder is authorised to conduct such examinations by the CAA; or

(ii) where the excepted flights condition is met;

(c) to fly as pilot in command of such a balloon or airship at night if the licence includes a night rating (balloons and airships);

(d) to receive remuneration or other valuable consideration for services as a pilot on a flight if the remuneration condition is met.

(2) The holder of a Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships) may not fly a balloon or airship mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)—

(a) for the purpose of public transport or commercial operation (other than commercial operation permitted by sub-paragraph (1)(c));

(b) for remuneration or other valuable consideration (other than remuneration or other valuable consideration permitted by sub-paragraph (1)(e)); or

(c) other than as authorised by paragraph (1),

unless authorised to do so by the CAA.

Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Balloons)

Minimum age:

18 years

Privileges:

(1) The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Balloons) is entitled—

(a) to exercise the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships);

(b) in accordance with the remainder of this paragraph, 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 the purpose of commercial operations, unless prohibited by paragraph (2);

(c) to fly as pilot in command of any type of balloon specified in the aircraft rating included in the licence for the purpose of the public transport of passengers where 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.

(2) The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Balloons) may not fly a balloon mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) or (c) other than as authorised by paragraph (1) unless permitted to do so by the CAA.

Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Airships)

Minimum age:

18 years

Privileges:

The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Airships) is entitled to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of any type of airship on which the holder is so qualified and which is specified in an aircraft rating included in the licence when the airship is flying for any purpose whatsoever.