HAWK Aviators

On our latest educational outing, the HAWK Youth Aviation Group introduced our young members to the world of hot air ballooning, expanding their knowledge beyond fixed-wing aircraft, motor gliders and FAA ground school and flight training.

Under the guidance of our experienced mentors, the youth participants were actively involved in:

• Laying out the Balloon: The team carefully spread the balloon on the ground, preparing for inflation.
• Inspection: each member learned how to inspect the balloon for safety, identifying key components and checking for any potential issues.
• Safety Education: We covered essential safety aspects of ballooning, including crewing responsibilities and emergency procedures.
• Cold Inflation: The group practiced cold inflating the balloon, followed by detailed inspection of the parachute top, ensuring it was correctly installed and operational.
• Turning Vents: Instructions on how to manage the turning vents were given, teaching control over the balloon descent and landing procedures.
• Inflation and Burner Operation: With the balloon fully inflated, several kids had the opportunity to operate the hot air balloon burner under strict supervision, experiencing firsthand the mechanics of balloon operation.

Parents and adult volunteers were integral to the success of the day, assisting with the inflation process and providing additional guidance.

This event not only served as a practical introduction to hot air ballooning but also reinforced the importance of teamwork, safety, and hands-on-learning with aviation.

According to Google, the average annual salary of a hot air balloon pilot in 2024 is $130,000.
Hot Air Balloon Introduction

Hot Air Balloon Introduction
Balloon Flying Handbook, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2008, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-11.pdf
Balloon Flying Handbook Addendum, US Federal Aviation Administration, 2016, https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/balloon_flying_hb_addendum.pdf