What should an applicant demonstrate during the flight test for a commercial balloon operation rating?

The applicant should demonstrate the ability to operate the balloon within its limitations, complete all maneuvers with smoothness and accuracy, exercise good judgment and airmanship, apply aeronautical knowledge, and maintain control of the balloon at all times.

What are the height tolerances during a commercial balloon operation rating flight test?

The height tolerances are ± 100 ft for normal flight and ± 150 ft with simulated emergency, but the FE(B) should make allowances for turbulent conditions and the handling qualities and performance of the balloon.

What simulated failures are assessed during the skill test for a commercial gas balloon operation rating?

The skill test includes assessment of simulated closed appendix during take-off and climb, simulated parachute or valve failure, and simulated passenger health problems.

What is included in Section 5 of the skill test for a commercial hot-air balloon operation rating?

Section 5 covers abnormal and emergency procedures, including simulated fire on the ground and in the air, simulated pilot light and burner failures, simulated passenger health problems, other abnormal and emergency procedures as outlined in the appropriate flight manual, and oral questions. This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4.

In a commercial hot-air airship operation rating skill test, what does Section 3 cover?

Section 3 covers en-route procedures, including dead reckoning and map reading, marking positions and time, orientation and airspace structure, plotting and steering expected track, maintenance of altitude, fuel management, pressure and engine parameter checks, communication with ground crew, and ATC compliance (if applicable).

What pre-flight documentation is required for a commercial balloon operation rating skill test?

Pre-flight documentation includes license, medical certificate, permits to take off, insurance certificate, aeronautical charts, AFM, logbook, technical logbook, checklists, flight planning, NOTAMs, weather briefing, and knowledge of Part-BOP.

AMC1 BFCL.215(b)(4) Commercial operation rating

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ED Decision 2020/003/R

SKILL TEST FOR THE COMMERCIAL OPERATION RATING

(a) GENERAL

(1) The take-off site should be chosen by the applicant depending on the actual meteorological conditions, the area which has to be overflown, and the possible options for suitable landing sites. The applicant should be responsible for the flight planning and should ensure that all equipment and documentation for the execution of the flight are on board.

(2) The skill test may be conducted in two flights. The total duration of the flight(s) should be at least 45 minutes.

(3) An applicant should indicate to the FE(B) the checks and duties carried out. Checks should be completed in accordance with the flight manual or the authorised checklist for the balloon or hot-air airship on which the test is being taken. During pre-flight preparation for the test, the applicant should be required to perform crew and passenger briefings and demonstrate crowd control. The load calculation should be performed by the applicant in compliance with the operations manual or flight manual for the balloon used.

(b) FLIGHT TEST TOLERANCE

(1) The applicant should demonstrate the ability to:

(i) operate the balloon or hot-air airship within its limitations;

(ii) complete all manoeuvres with smoothness and accuracy;

(iii) exercise good judgment and airmanship;

(iv) apply aeronautical knowledge; and

(v) maintain control of the balloon or the hot-air airship at all times in such a manner that the successful outcome of a procedure or manoeuvre is never seriously in doubt.

(2) The following limits are for general guidance. The FE(B) should make allowance for turbulent conditions and the handling qualities and performance of the balloon or hot-air airship used:

Height

(i) normal flight: ± 100 ft

(ii) with simulated emergency: ± 150 ft

(1) The skill test contents and sections set out in this point should be used for the skill test for the issue of a commercial operation rating in the hot-air balloon class:

Note: Use of checklist(s), airmanship, control of balloon by external visual reference, look-out procedures, etc. apply in all sections.

SECTION 1: PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS, INFLATION AND TAKE-OFF
a	Pre-flight documentation (licence, medical certificate, permits to take off, insurance certificate, aeronautical charts, AFM, logbook, technical logbook, checklists, etc.), flight planning, NOTAM(s) and weather briefing, knowledge of Part-BOP
b	Balloon inspection and servicing, minimum equipment list (MEL)
c	Suitability of launch site
d	Load calculation
e	Crowd control, crew and passenger briefings
f	Assembly and layout
g	Inflation and pre-take-off procedures including passenger involvement and briefing
h	Take-off
i	ATC compliance (if applicable), operation of radio and/or transponder (including emergency procedures)
SECTION 2: GENERAL AIRWORK
a	Climb to level flight
b	Level flight
c	Descent to level flight
d	Operating at low level
e	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 3: EN-ROUTE PROCEDURES
a	Dead reckoning and map reading
b	Marking positions and time
c	Orientation and airspace structure
d	Maintenance of altitude
e	Fuel management
f	Communication with retrieve crew and passengers
g	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 4: APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEDURES
a	Approach from low level, missed approach and fly on: Passenger briefing and execution of exercise
b	Approach from high level, missed approach and fly on: Passenger briefing and execution of exercise
c	Pre-landing checks
d	Passenger pre-landing briefing
e	Selection of landing field
f	Final passenger briefing, landing, dragging and deflation
g	ATC compliance (if applicable)
h	Actions after flight (recording of the flight, closing flight plan (if applicable), briefing passengers for packing balloon, contact landowner)
SECTION 5: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4.
a	Simulated fire on the ground and in the air
b	Simulated pilot light and burner failures
c	Simulated passenger health problems
d	Other abnormal and emergency procedures as outlined in the appropriate flight manual
e	Oral questions

(2) The skill test contents and sections set out in this point should be used for the skill test for the issue of a commercial operation rating in the gas balloon class:

Note: Use of checklist(s), airmanship, control of balloon by external visual reference, look-out procedures, etc. apply in all sections.

SECTION 1: PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS, INFLATION AND TAKE-OFF
a	Pre-flight documentation (licence, medical certificate, permits to take off, insurance certificate, aeronautical charts, AFM, logbook, technical logbook, checklists etc.), flight planning, NOTAM(s) and weather briefing, knowledge of Part-BOP
b	Balloon inspection and servicing, MEL
c	Suitability of launch site
d	Load calculation
e	Crowd control, crew and passenger briefings
f	Assembly and layout
g	Inflation and pre-take-off procedures including passenger involvement and briefing
h	Take-off
i	ATC compliance (if applicable), operation of radio and/or transponder (including emergency procedures)
SECTION 2: GENERAL AIRWORK
a	Climb to level flight
b	Level flight
c	Descent to level flight
d	Operating at low level
e	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 3: EN-ROUTE PROCEDURES
a	Dead reckoning and map reading
b	Marking positions and time
c	Orientation and airspace structure
d	Maintenance of altitude
e	Ballast management
f	Communication with retrieve crew and passengers
g	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 4: APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEDURES
a	Approach from low level, missed approach and fly on: Passenger briefing and execution of exercise
b	Approach from high level, missed approach and fly on: Passenger briefing and execution of exercise
c	Pre-landing checks
d	Passenger pre-landing briefing
e	Selection of landing field
f	Final passenger briefing, landing, dragging and deflation
g	ATC compliance (if applicable)
h	Actions after flight (recording of the flight, closing flight plan (if applicable), briefing passengers for packing balloon, contact landowner)
SECTION 5: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4.
a	Simulated closed appendix during take-off and climb
b	Simulated parachute or valve failure
c	Simulated passenger health problems
d	Other abnormal and emergency procedures as outlined in the appropriate flight manual
e	Oral questions

(3) The skill test contents and sections set out in this point should be used for the skill test for the issue of a commercial operation rating in the hot-air airship class:

Note: Use of checklist(s), airmanship, control of hot air airship by external visual reference, look-out procedures, etc. apply in all sections.

SECTION 1: PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS, INFLATION AND TAKE-OFF
a	Pre-flight documentation (licence, medical certificate, permits to take off, insurance certificate, aeronautical charts, AFM, logbook, technical logbook, checklists etc.), flight planning, NOTAM(s) and weather briefing, knowledge of Part-BOP
b	Hot air airship inspection and servicing, MEL
c	Suitability of launch site
d	Load calculation
e	Crowd control, crew and passenger briefings
f	Assembly and layout
g	Inflation and pre-take-off procedures including passenger involvement and briefing
h	Take-off
i	ATC compliance (if applicable), operation of radio and/or transponder (including emergency procedures)
SECTION 2: GENERAL AIRWORK
a	Climb to level flight
b	Level flight
c	Turns
d	Stationary flight
e	Descent to level flight
f	Operating at low level
g	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 3: EN-ROUTE PROCEDURES
a	Dead reckoning and map reading
b	Marking positions and time
c	Orientation and airspace structure
d	Plotting and steering expected track
e	Maintenance of altitude
f	Fuel management
g	Pressure and engine parameter checks
h	Communication with ground crew
i	ATC compliance (if applicable)
SECTION 4: APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEDURES
a	Approach, missed approach and go-around
b	Pre-landing checks
c	Selection of landing field
d	Landing and deflation
e	ATC compliance (if applicable)
f	Actions after flight (recording of the flight, closing flight plan (if applicable), briefing passengers for packing balloon, contact landowner)
SECTION 5: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4.
a	Simulated fire on the ground and in the air
b	Simulated pilot light, burner and engine failures
c	Approach with simulated engine failure, missed approach and go-around
d	Simulated passenger health problems
e	Other abnormal and emergency procedures as outlined in the appropriate flight manual
f	Oral questions

Details

Source-Title: AMC1 BFCL.215(b)(4) Commercial operation rating View latest amendments

Erulesid: ERULES-1963177438-16129 Compare versions

Domain: Aircrew

Applicabilitydate: 8 April, 2020

Entryintoforcedate: 19 March, 2020

Regulatorysource: ED Decision 2020/003/R Navigate

Regulatorysubject: Part-BFCL

Typeofcontent: AMC to IR (Acceptable means of compliance to implementing rule)

Parentir: BFCL.215 Commercial operation rating

Origin: EASA

Category: EAR