Transport Canada Balloon Pilot Licence (PIBAL) — Information & Free Practice

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About Transport Canada Balloon Pilot Licence (PIBAL)

Transport Canada Balloon Pilot Licence (PIBAL) · CA

Key exam facts

Provider: Transport Canada
Format: Written multiple-choice examination
Exam questions: Total questions: 50.
Time limit: Unresolved: booking catalogue says up to 1.5 hours; TP 10087 says 2 hours.
Passing score: 60%
Exam fee: CAD $131.54 as currently displayed in the Transport Canada booking catalogue; provider charges may differ.

Topics covered

Air Law and Procedures
- PART I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 101 - INTERPRETATION
- 101.01 Interpretation
- 103 - ADMINISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE
- 103.02 Inspection of Aircraft, Requests for Production of Documents and Prohibitions
- 103.03 Return of Canadian Aviation Documents
- 103.04 Record Keeping
- PART III - AERODROME AND AIRPORTS
- 300 - INTERPRETATION
- 300.01 Interpretation
- 301 - AERODROME
- 301.01 Application
- 301.04 Markers and Markings
- 301.06 Wind Direction Indicator
- 301.07 Lighting
- 301.08 Prohibitions
- 301.09 Fire Prevention
- 302 - AIRPORTS
- 302.10 Prohibitions
- 302.11 Fire Prevention
- Part IV - Personnel Licensing and Training
- 400 - GENERAL
- 400.01 Interpretation
- 401 - Flight Crew Permits, Licenses and Ratings
- 401.03 Requirements to Hold a Flight Crew Permit, Licence or Rating
- 401.04 Flight Crew Members of Aircraft Registered in Contracting States other than Canada
- 401.05 Recency Requirements
- 401.08 Personal Logs
- 401.25 Pilot Licence - Balloons - Privileges
- 401.28 Reimbursement of Costs Incurred in Respect of a Flight
- 401.42 Night Rating
- 404 - MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- 404.03 Requirement to Hold a Medical Certificate (MC)
- 404.04 Issuance, Renewal and Validity Period of MC
- 404.06 Prohibitions Regarding Exercise of Privileges
- 404.18 Permission to Continue to Exercise the Privileges of a Licence or Rating
- PART VI - General Operating And Flight Rules
- 600 - Interpretation
- 600.01 Interpretation
- 601 - Airspace Structure, Classification and Use
- 601.01 Airspace Structure
- 601.02 Airspace Classification
- 601.03 Transponder Airspace
- 601.04 IFR or VFR Flight in Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace or Class F Special Use Advisory Airspace
- 601.06 VFR Flight in Class A Airspace
- 601.07 VFR Flight in Class B Airspace
- 601.08 VFR Flight in Class C Airspace
- 601.09 VFR Flight in Class D Airspace
- 601.15 Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Restrictions
- 601.16 Issuance of NOTAM for Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Restrictions
- 602 - Operating and Flight Rules
- 602.01 Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft
- 602.02 Fitness of Flight Crew Members
- 602.03 Alcohol or Drugs - Crew Members
- 602.04 Alcohol or Drugs - Passengers
- 602.05 Compliance with Instructions
- 602.06 Smoking
- 602.07 Aircraft Operating Limitations
- 602.08 Portable Electronic Devices
- 602.12 Overflight of Built-up Areas or Open-Air Assemblies of Persons During Take-offs, Approaches and Landings
- 602.13 Take-offs, Approaches and Landings within Built-up Areas of Cities and Towns
- 602.14 Minimum Altitude and Distances
- 602.15 Permissible Low Altitude Flight
- 602.18 Flight over Built-up Areas - Balloons
- 602.19 Right-of-Way - General
- 602.21 Avoidance of Collision
- 602.23 Dropping of Objects
- 602.24 Formation Flight
- 602.31 Compliance with Air Traffic Control Instructions and Clearances
- 602.34 Cruising Altitudes and Cruising Flight Levels
- 602.35 Altimeter Setting and Operating Procedures in the Altimeter-Setting Region
- 602.36 Altimeter Setting and Operating Procedures in the Standard Pressure Region
- 602.37 Altimeter Setting and Operating Procedures in Transition Between Regions
- 602.40 Landing at or Take-off from an Aerodrome at Night
- 602.58 Prohibition
- 602.59 Equipment Standards
- 602.61 Survival Equipment - Flights over Land
- 602.62 Life Preservers and Personal Flotation Devices
- 602.70 Interpretation
- 602.71 Pre-flight Information
- 602.72 Weather Information
- 602.73 Requirements to file a Flight Plan or a Flight Itinerary
- 602.74 Contents of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary
- 602.75 Filing of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary
- 602.76 Changes in the Flight Plan
- 602.77 Requirements to File an Arrival Report
- 602.78 Contents of an Arrival Report
- 602.79 Overdue Aircraft Reports
- 602.96 General
- 602.97 VFR and IFR Aircraft Operations at Uncontrolled Aerodromes within an MF Area
- 602.98 General MF Reporting Procedures
- 602.99 MF Reporting Procedures before Entering Manoeuvring Area
- 602.100 MF Reporting Procedures on Departure
- 602.101 MF Reporting Procedures on Arrival
- 602.103 Reporting Procedures when Flying through an MF Area
- 602.114 Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in VFR Flight in Controlled Airspace
- 602.115 Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in Uncontrolled Airspace
- 602.117 Special VFR Flight
- 602.136 Continuous Listening Watch
- 602.138 Two-way Radiocommunication Failure in VFR Flight
- 602.143 Emergency Radio Frequency Capability
- 602.144 Interception Signals, Interception of Aircraft and Instructions to Land
- 602.145 ADIZ
- 603 - Special Flight Operations
- 603.16 Application
- 603.17 Certification Requirements
- 603.18 Issuance of Special Flight Operating Certificate - Balloons
- 603.19 Contents of Special Flight Operating Certificate - Balloons
- 603.20 General Conditions of Flight Operations Certificate - Balloons
- 603.21 Crew Member Qualifications
- 603.22 Briefing of Passengers
- 603.23 Operations at Night
- 603.24 Tethered Flight
- 603.25 External Carriage of Passengers
- 603.26 Leaving a Balloon in Flight
- 605 - Aircraft Requirements
- 605.03 Flight Authority
- 605.04 Availability of Aircraft Flight Manual
- 605.05 Markings and Placards
- 605.08 Unserviceable and Removed Equipment - General
- 605.19 Balloon - Day VFR
- 605.20 Balloon - Night VFR
- 605.22 Seat and Safety-Belt Requirements
- 605.31 Oxygen Equipment and Supply
- 605.32 Use of Oxygen
- 605.35 Transponder and Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting Equipment
- 605.38 ELT
- 605.40 ELT Activation
- 605.84 Aircraft Maintenance - General
- 605.85 Maintenance Release and Elementary Work
- 605.86 Maintenance Schedule
- 605.88 Inspection after Abnormal Occurrences
- 605.92 Requirement to Keep Technical Records - Subsection (1)
- 605.93 Technical Records - General
- 605.94 Journey Log Requirements
- 605.95 Journey Log - Carrying on Board
- 605.97 Transfer of Records
- 606 - Miscellaneous
- 606.01 Munitions of War
- 606.02 Liability Insurance - Subsection (9)
- Airworthiness Manual, Chapter 531
- Required Basic Equipment
- TC AIM
- Aircraft Identification, Marking, Registration, Leasing and Insurance (LRA Information)
- Air Traffic Services and Procedures
- Air Traffic and Advisory Services
- Flight Service Stations
- Communication Procedures
- Radar Service
- ATC Clearance/Instruction/Informations
- Airport/Aerodrome Operations - Controlled and Uncontrolled
- Mandatory and Aerodrome Traffic Frequencies
- VFR En Route Procedures
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)
- Aircraft Accident and Missing Aircraft (See TC AIM Gen 3.0)
Envelopes, Baskets and Burners
- Envelopes
- Types
- Shapes
- Materials and Properties
- Construction, Stitching and Load Carriers
- Skirts and Scoops
- Vent and valve Systems
- Baskets
- Materials
- Suspension
- Connections
- Construction Repair and Care
- Burners
- Arrangement
- Types
- Performance Characteristics
- Design and Construction
- Features (Suspensions, Controls and Backups)
- Blast Valves, Hoses and Pilot Burners
- Electrical Systems
- Batteries
- Lighting
- Aircraft Instruments
- Fuel System and Fuels
- Types and Properties of Fuels
- Density/Weight
- Fuel Contamination
- Fuel Tanks - Material, Construction, Fitting and Safety Features
- Venting
- Fuel Lines
- Cold Weather Operations
- Fuel Management - Ground and Air
- Fuel Handling - Refuelling
- Other Aircraft Systems
- Oxygen
- Fire Protection
Theory of Flight (Aerostatics)
- Principles of Flight
- Bernoulli's Theorem
- Newton's Law
- Forces Acting on a Balloon
- Lift
- Weight
- Equilibrium
- Flight Characteristics
- Handling Characteristics Related to envelope Size and Shape
- Design
- Load Distribution
- Structural Limitations
- Flight Controls
- Functions of Vents, Valves and Rip Panels
- Relationship between Controls and their Effects
- Effects of Temperature and Altitude
- Density Altitude
Flight Instruments
- Vertical Speed Indicator
- Principles of Operations
- Lag
- Altimeter
- Principles of Operation
- Errors
- Magnetism
- The Earth's Magnetism
- Variation
- Direct Reading Magnetic Compass
- Principles of Operations
- Construction, Limitations and Faults
- Reading the Compass
- Temperature Gauges
- Types
- Principles of Operation
- Advantages/Disadvantages
Meteorology
- The Earth's Atmosphere
- Composition and Physical Properties
- Vertical Structure
- The Standard Atmosphere
- Density and Pressure
- Mobility
- Expansion and Compression
- Atmospheric Pressure
- Definition
- Pressure Measurements
- Station Pressure
- Sea Level Pressure
- Pressure Systems and their Variations
- Effects of Temperature
- Isobars
- Horizontal Pressure Differences
- Meteorological Aspects of Altimetry
- Pressure Altitude
- Density Altitude
- Altimeter Settings
- Temperature
- Temperature Scales, Farhenheit and Celsius
- Heating and Cooling of the Atmosphere - Convection/Advection/ Radiation
- Horizontal Differences
- Temperature Variations with Altitude
- Inversions
- Isothermal Layers
- Moisture
- Relative Humidity Dewpoint
- Change of State
- Sublimation and Condensation
- Cloud Formation
- Precipitation
- Saturated and Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rates
- Stability and Instability
- Lapse Rate and Stability
- Modification of Stability
- Characteristics of Stable and Unstable Air
- Surface Heating and Cooling
- Lifting Processes
- Subsidence/Convergence
- Clouds
- Classification
- Formation and Structure
- Types and Recognition
- Associated Precipitation and Turbulence
- Turbulence
- Convective
- Mechanical
- Wind Shear
- Frontal Systems
- Wind
- Pressure Gradient
- Deflection caused by the Earth's Rotation/Centrifugal Force
- Low Level Winds - Variation in Surface Wind
- Friction
- Veer and Back
- Squalls and Gusts
- Diurnal Effects
- Land and Sea Breezes
- Katabatic/Anabatic Effects
- Topographical Effects
- Wind Shear, Types and Causes
- Air Masses
- Definition and Characteristics
- Formation
- Classification
- Modification
- Factors that Determines Weather
- Seasonal and geographic Effects
- Air Masses affecting North America
- Fronts
- Structure
- Types
- Formation
- Cross-sections
- Frontogenesis and Frontolysis
- Frontal Weather
- Cold Front
- Warm Front
- TROWAL and Upper Fonts
- Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
- Requirements for Development
- Structure and Development
- Types - Air Mass, Frontal
- Hazards - Updrafts, Downdrafts, Gust Fronts, Downbursts, Microbursts, Hail and Lightning
- Squall Lines
- Terrain Effects
- Surface Based Layers
- Fog Formation
- Fog Types
- Haze and Smoke
- Obscured/Partially Obscured
- Meteorological Services Available to Pilots
- Flight Information Centres (FIC)
- Aviation Weather Website
- Pilot's Automatic Telephone Weather Answering Service (PATWAS)
- Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
- Aviation Weather Reports
- Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METAR)
- Speci
- Decoding
- AWOS
- Pilot Reports (PIREP and AIREP)
- Aviation Forecasts
- Times Issued and Validity Periods
- Decoding
- Graphical Area Forecasts (GFA)/AIRMET
- Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
- Upper Level Wind and Temperature Forecast (FD)
- Significant In-Flight Weather Warning Messages (SIGMET)
- Weather Maps and Prognostic Charts
- Times Issued and validity Periods
- Symbols and Decoding
- Surface Weather Charts
- Prognostic Surface Chart
Navigation and Radio Aids
- Definitions
- Longitude
- Latitude
- Variation
- Deviation
- Track
- Ground Position
- Bearing
- Wind Velocity
- Maps And Charts
- Projections and Characteristics
- 1:250,000 Transverse Mercator (VTA)
- 1:500,000 Lambert Conformal Projection (VNC)
- Topographical Symbols
- Elevation and Contours (Relief)
- Aeronautical Information
- Scale and Units Measurement
- Locating Position by Latitude and Longitude
- TIME
- 24 Hour System
- Conversion of UTC to Local and Vice Versa
- Pilot Navigation
- Use of Aeronautical Charts
- Measurement of Track and Distance
- Map Reading
- Check Points and Pin-Points
- True Track, Magnetic Track
- Fuel Requirements
- Pre-Flight Preparation
- Factors Affecting Choice of Launch Site
- Map Preparation
- Meteorological Information
- Location of Prohibited Zones
- Fuel Requirements
- Weight Calculations
- Documents to be Carried in Aircraft
- Flight Plans and Itineraries
- Entries in Aircraft Logs
- Radio Radar Aids - Basic Principles And Use
- Frequency Bands Used in Communication
- Transponders
- Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) Primary and Secondary
Flight Operations
- General
- Pilot-In-Command Responsibilities
- Winter Operations
- Thunderstorms Avoidance
- Mountain Flying Operations
- Airport Rotating Beacon
- Obstruction Marking/Lighting
- Units of Measurement and Conversion Metric/U.S./Imperial
- Emergency Procedures
- Balloon Performance
- Effects of Rain on a Balloon
- Lift vs Air Density/Humidity
- Inflation and Lift Off
- False Lift
- Use of Pilot Operating Handbook - General
- Effects of Change of Weight on Performance
- Cold Descents
- Hi and Low Wind Approaches and Landings
- High Vertical Speed Approaches and Landing
- Use of Performance Charts
- Loading Charts
- Weight
- Terms (e.g. Empty, Gross)
- Calculations
- Wake Turbulence
- Causes
- Effects
- Avoidance
- Search and Rescue (TC AIM- SAR)
- Types of Service Available
- Aircraft Emergency Assistance
Human Factors
- Aviation Physiology
- Hypoxia/Hyperventilation
- Gas Expansion Effects
- Decompression (Including SCUBA diving)
- Vision
- Hearing
- Orientation/Disorientation (including visual and vestibular illusions)
- Body Rythms/Jet Lag
- Sleep/Fatigue
- The Pilot and the Operating Environment
- Personal Health
- Diet and Nutrition
- Medications (prescribed and over-the-counter)
- Substance Abuse (alcohol and drugs)
- Pregnancy
- Heat/Cold
- Effects of Smoking
- Toxic Hazards (including carbon monoxide)
- Aviation Psychology
- The Decision-Making Process
- Factors that Influence Decision-Making
- Situational Awareness
- Stress
- Managing Risk
- Attitudes
- Workload - (Attention and Information Processing)
- Pilot - Equipment/Materials Relationship
- Controls and Displays - Errors in Interpretation and Control
- Standard Operating Procedures - Rationale/Benefits
- Use of Maps/Charts
- Correct Use of Checklists and Manuals
- Interpersonal Relations
- Communications with - Crew/Maintenance Personnel/Air Traffic Service/Passengers
- Operating Pressures - Family Relationships/Peer Group
- Operating Pressures - Employer

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Written multiple-choice examination

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 50.

How long is the exam?

Unresolved: booking catalogue says up to 1.5 hours; TP 10087 says 2 hours.

What is the passing score?

60%

How much does the exam cost?

CAD $131.54 as currently displayed in the Transport Canada booking catalogue; provider charges may differ.

Official sources and references

TP 10087 Balloon pilot study and reference guide
General — Balloon Pilot Licences
Standard 421 Flight Crew Permits Licences and Ratings
421.25(3)(b)

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.