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