Licence test for balloonists

Private balloonists will soon have to sit a pilot's licence test as part of moves to further bring ballooning under the aviation safety umbrella.

The Civil Aviation Authority magazine Vector says the increasing popularity of balloon fiestas meant the CAA needed to "increase its safety oversight of the sport".

A commercial ballooning licence is now needed for commercial operations but there is no private pilot's licence for ballooning, said CAA manager of sport and recreation Rex Kenny.

Under the proposal, balloon pilots will need to sit exams similar to fixed wing pilots, but the navigation element would be tailored to ballooning.

Balloon Association of New Zealand president Martyn Stacey welcomed the new licences.

The association was also applying for certification as an aviation recreation organisation, and would then be able to approve aviation events.

The changes will be included in a rewrite of the pilot licencing and rating legislation this year.

- NZPA