Balloon Flying Handbook
The reference for balloon pilots — lighter-than-air principles, envelope and burner systems, and the technique of flying a hot air balloon.
About this document
The Balloon Flying Handbook is the FAA's reference for lighter-than-air balloon pilots. It covers the principles of buoyant flight, the balloon's envelope, basket, and burner systems, preflight and inflation, the technique of launching, maneuvering, and landing a balloon, and weather considerations specific to ballooning.
It supports the Private and Commercial certificates in the lighter-than-air balloon category.
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Take a free practice test →FAA-H-8083-11 is an official FAA publication in the public domain. We host a copy so you can read it in-browser; always confirm you are reading the current edition on faa.gov. The description above is an original summary and is a study aid, not a substitute for the document or the regulations.