The following information is extracted and simplified from 14 CFR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Part 61 - Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors. A student pilot's certificate must be obtained. Successful completion of training leads to private pilot's certificate, lighter-than-air category with a free balloon class rating. After further training and experience, a commercial rating may be obtained, qualifying an individual to fly for hire or to instruct. The following are the general requirements for student, private, and commercial certificates.  

SUBPART C - STUDENT PILOTS  

1. A student must be at least 14 years of age.  

2. He must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.  

3. No medical certificate is required.  

4. Student pilot certificates may be issued by FAA inspectors or designated pilot examiners.  

5. Student pilots may solo after demonstrating to their instructor by passing a written exam that they are familiar with Part 91 and 61 of the 14 CFR (Federal Aviation Regulations), airspace where the solo will take place, balloon flight characteristics and limitations, and are proficient in balloon operations of pre-flight preparation, operation of controls, lift-off and climb, descent and landing, and emergency situations.  

6. A student pilot may not carry passengers or fly a balloon for hire. 

SUBPART D - PRIVATE PILOTS  

1. To be eligible for a free balloon private pilot's certificate, a person must be at least 16 years of age.  

2. Read, speak, write and understand the English language.  

3. No medical certificate required.  

4. The applicant must pass a written test on such items as: 

1. 14 CFR (Federal Aviation Regulations) covering pilot privileges, limitations, and flight procedures,
2. Use of navigation charts,
3. Recognition of weather conditions and use of weather reports,
4. Operating procedures with hot air balloons.

5. The applicant must have received instruction on the following pilot operations:  

1. Ground handling and inflation,
2. Navigation
3. Airport operations
4. Preflight checks,
5. Takeoff and ascents,
6. Descents and landings,
7. Emergency conditions.
8. Postflight procedures

6. Flight experience must include at least 10 hours in free balloons, which must include 6 flights under the supervision of an instructor. These flights must include at least the following: two training flights of at least one hour long within 60 days of the scheduled check ride, one ascent to 2,000 feet above takeoff point, and one solo flight (these requirements are for hot air balloons; requirements for gas balloons are slightly different).  

SUBPART E - COMMERCIAL PILOTS  

1. The age requirement for a commercial pilot certificate is 18 years.  

2. Read, speak, write and understand the English language.  

3. No medical certificate required.  

4. The applicant must pass a more advanced written test on the subject matter listed in 61.125, additional operating procedures relating to commercial operations, and those duties required of a flight instructor.  

5. Advanced training must be received from an authorized instructor covering those items listed in 61.127 (b)(8).  

6. The applicant for a commercial certificate must have at least 35 hours of flight time as a pilot, of which 20 hours must be in balloons (remaining 15 hours may be in other aircraft). Flight time must include 10 hours in free balloons, 10 flights under the supervision of an instructor, 2 solo flights, 2 flights of at least one hour duration, two training flights within 60 days of the scheduled check ride and one flight to 3,000 feet above the take-off point.  

7. The holder of a commercial pilot's certificate may operate a balloon for hire and may give flight instruction.