Balloon Flying HandbookFAA-H-8083-11B
Appendix C
Balloon Flight Checklist
2 pagesPages C-1–C-2
Preflight
1. 
Brief crew
3. 
ground
Inflation
Face
flap to
Secure upright to
3. 
Docs - 2 ignitors - Drop line
Attach burners & fuel lines
Meter pilot valves off
Turn tank valve 1/8,
for leaks
Turn tank valve full & back 1/8
Fuel pressure >90 psi
9. 
for leaks
Shut tank valves OFF
Connect
cables to basket, bottom 1st
12. 
Lay out
Brief crew @ opening
Fan: FUEL – FACE – START
16. 
telltales
Secure Top
18. 
interior fabric & lines
Even inflation
Turn
down
Open liquid valve tank FULL & back ¼
Ignite burner pilot
Pop igniter & lift
Short blast inflation
Stop
as
clears ground
Short blast to = equilibrium
Pre-launch
27. 
fuel gauges –
fuel pressure
28. 
Altimeter –
Radio
Give final crew instructions
Prelanding
1. 
Obstructions
Brief
Face
travel
Bend knees & ankles a. Hold basket handle in upright position, do not hold onto pilot or each other b. Stay in basket until relieved
Ensure landing space
Hold basket
Retrieval
Turn off TANKS, PILOTS, INSTRUMENTS, RADIO
Vent propane to cool burners
Remove top with crown line tension
Sleeve balloon and pack
Vent lines excess propane
Disconnect lines, cable & burner
Police field
Student Balloon Flight Checklist Preflight 1. Weather briefings 2. Documents
3. Fuel check
4. Crew briefing 5. Passenger briefing 6. Layout & assembly 7. Inspection
- Inflation
- 1. Crew briefing
- 2. Fan placement
3. Equilibrium 4. Board passengers 5. Basket check 6. Instrument check 7. Fuel
Launch 1. Final crew instructions 2. Obstacles—Clear 3. Traffic—Clear
Descent/Approach 1. Passenger briefing 2. Obstacles—Clear 3. High wind landing 4. Water landing
- Landing 1. Monitor passengers 2. Secure fuel
- 3. Secure heater
- 4. Deflation
Recovery 1. Secure deflation system 2. Secure envelope 3. Secure heater
- 4. Secure basket
- 5. Pack-up
- 6. Fuel check
- Postflight
- 1. Fueling 2. Report discrepancies 3. Storage