National Transportation Safety Board calls for paid balloon ride oversight: Companies would need letter of authorization

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —A series of recent hot air balloon accidents has the National Transportation Safety Board proposing additional rules for all pilots charging a fee to take people for rides.

The recent string of accidents has the board urging the Federal Aviation Administration to toughen its rules for passenger-carrying flights.

The oversight would make paid balloon rides more in line with airplane and helicopter tour companies.

Companies would need a letter of authorization from the government under this form of oversight. Such a letter would address a proper pilot’s license, a safety aircraft and a safety briefing before leaving the ground.

Some feel the rule is invasive to the commercial side of ballooning as well as potentially to the recreational side.

Any action by the FAA is expected to take quite some time.

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