Join the North West Balloon & Airship Club and come along to our Club meetings or to our balloon meets (see Home Page).

You can come along and watch (when the weather is kind)

You can come and listen to some of the speakers we arrange (mainly in the Winter)

Or you can join in.

Start by helping a pilot to assemble their balloon. The crew will show you how and will take you on retrieve to follow the balloon’s track.

On landing you will help to pack the balloon away.

After a few retrieves you should have earned a flight. Time to see things from the air and see how the balloon is controlled.

The Pilot will explain all the controls to you and give you some time operating the burner.

You may decide that you prefer retrieving the balloon than flying. Pilots are always looking for crew. A good retrieve can be as satisfying as a good flight.

If you want to move on to flying we will be happy to help:

To fly a balloon you will need a Pilot’s Licence.

To fly yourself and friends you need a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)

To fly passengers or fly for a company you need a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL).

If you want to continue and study for your PPL you can do most of your training with any Private Pilot.

You must complete at least 16 hours hands on flying experience within a rolling 24 month period. At least four of these flights must be with a registered Instructor.

You will also need to sit written exams in the following subjects:
Air Law
Meteorology
Navigation
Balloon Systems
Human Performance & Limitations

You must also attend a Landowner Relations Seminar.

When your training pilot considers you are ready you can then take a Recommendation Flight with an Instructor (a mock exam).

If the Instructor agrees you are ready for check out he will sign your Recommendation.
You then take a Check Out Flight with an Examiner.

If this is satisfactory you then make a Solo Flight.

Following the Solo Flight you can apply for your PPL.

Local Instructors

Graeme Church

Dave Court

John Fenton

Derek Grimshaw

Kevin Meehan
Emma Briggs

Mike Howard

Single : £12.00
Family : £15.00

Join on-line here...

Paper Application Form

(Adobe Acrobat pdf file)

For a Standing Order Mandate please contact the Treasurer