Salary Ranges for Balloon Pilots The salaries of Balloon Pilots in the US range from $34,800 to $147,890 , with a median salary of $76,150 . The middle 60% of Balloon Pilots makes $76,150, with the top 80% making $147,890.
How much does a hot air balloon rig cost?
To carry a pilot plus 4 passengers the average cost is $35,000 to over $45,000. These prices include the Fuel Tanks, Gondola, and instruments.
Do you need a license to fly hot air balloon?
To pilot a hot air balloon, you must have a pilot's license, or airman's certificate, just as you would for an airplane, however a hot air balloon is a different category of aircraft with its own specific set of training requirements.
How much do you tip a hot air balloon pilot?
Should we tip our balloon pilot and chase crew? Like all service providers, a gratuity is always appreciated. A typical tip would be 10-20% of the total price.
Is it hard to pilot a hot air balloon?
Becoming a balloon pilot is a Lighter-than-Air (LTA) certification, which requires one-on-one lessons with a flight instructor, as well as other requirements.
How much does it cost to be a balloon pilot?
Ballooning is an expensive sport/hobby. Getting a license for one is no different. The exact cost depends on the training service you go with, but on average, you can expect a private license to be at least $2,500.
What are the cost of owning a hot air balloon?
You've heard of hot air balloons, haven't you? They aren't something you see every day, but they're nonetheless an amazing form of travel, and the average cost of owning one can run the gamut from $10,000 to $160,000.
Is hot air ballooning an expensive hobby?
Ballooning is not a cheap hobby. The biggest expense in most cases will be the balloon itself. A new balloon can cost around $40,000, or more if it is custom made or a special shape. Hot air balloons are mainly powered by propane, which can cost about $2 a gallon.