| Buying a used hot air balloon can be a tricky | | | | custom balllon until you get your commercial |
| process for the new pilot. There are usually a | | | | license. Two years of sport flying and you are |
| number of used hot air balloon envelopes and | | | | probably ready to move up to a brand new |
| systems on the market if you know where to | | | | balloon. |
| look, the hard part is getting one that has some | | | | Look at ALL the costs of owning the balloon you |
| useful life left in it! | | | | are considering, most importantly the availability |
| Most new pilots that have just received their | | | | and cost of repair fabric if you damage some |
| private certification tend to buy a balloon that is | | | | panels. Some makers only allow replacement with |
| the same make and model as the one they | | | | their own certified fabric at a HUGE cost per yard. |
| trained on. While on the surface this makes sense, | | | | What can the local repair statoin readily get parts |
| it may pay the new prospective balloon owner to | | | | for? |
| shop around a bit. | | | | History of the prospective balloon system. Check |
| Most sport balloonists are quite willing to talk | | | | all log books and service records. |
| about the balloons they have owned in the past, | | | | Check asking price against competitive ads |
| and the things they liked and disliked about each | | | | What extra equipment is included, if any? |
| one. Don't pass up this valuable resource! Of | | | | When was the last annual , were any temp tabs |
| course, DO be prepared to hear from every pilot | | | | put in? |
| why their balloon they are flying NOW is without | | | | Was a porosity check done by the repair station |
| a doubt the very best on the market. Certainly all | | | | at last annual (not required for most makes but |
| the logic they used in making their decision will be | | | | important to see what measure of life is left and |
| freely dispensed, so a bit of common sense will | | | | what fuel economy will be) |
| be required here to separate the emotional chaff | | | | When was the balloon last flown |
| from solid reasoning here.. | | | | Can you take a ride/fly the balloon before |
| In my opinion a new pilot should consider the | | | | purchasing? |
| following things: | | | | These are just a few things to consider when |
| The first new balloon should be used, not new. A | | | | purchasing a used hot air balloon, as always buyer |
| high probability is that as a new piloy you will | | | | beware! |
| most likely do some damage to the balloon in the | | | | Feel free to email if you have any balloon buying |
| first year or two of flying so save the shiny new | | | | questions. |