BFCL.200 Tethered hot-air balloon flight rating

Regulation (EU) 2020/357

1. A BPL holder shall undertake tethered flights with hot-air balloons only if he or she holds a tethered hot-air balloon flight rating in accordance with this point.
   
   
2. To apply for a tethered hot-air balloon flight rating, the applicant shall:
   
   
   1. have privileges for the hot-air balloon class;
   2. first complete at least two tethered hot-air balloon instruction flights.
      
      
3. The completion of the tethered hot-air balloon training shall be entered in the logbook and signed by the FI(B) who is responsible for the training.
   
   
4. A pilot who holds a tethered hot-air balloon flight rating shall exercise his or her privileges only if he or she has completed at least one tethered hot-air balloon flight during the 48 months preceding the planned flight, or, if he or she has not performed such a flight, the pilot shall exercise his or her privileges if they have performed a tethered hot-air balloon flight flying dual or solo under the supervision of an FI(B). The completion of such dual or solo flight under supervision shall be entered in the pilots logbook and signed by the FI(B).

ED Decision 2020/003/R

Thethered activity without taking off

A tethered activity where the balloon does not leave the ground is not considered a flight. Such an activity is not eligible to count for initial training or recency for the tethered hot-air balloon flight rating.

ED Decision 2020/003/R

Flight instruction for the hot-air balloon tethered flight rating
The instruction flights should cover the following training items:

1. ground preparations;
2. weather suitability;
3. tether points:
   1. upwind; and
   2. downwind;
4. tether ropes (at least a three-point system, as per the applicable flight manual);
5. maximum all-up-weight limitation;
6. crowd control;
7. pre-take-off checks and briefings;
8. heating for controlled lift off;
9. ‘hands off and hands on’ procedure for ground crew;
10. assessment of lift;
11. assessment of wind and obstacles;
12. take-off and controlled climb (at least up to 60 ft (20 m)); and
13. passenger exchange procedures.

→ BFCL.210