## Use of Instruments 

14 CFR part 31 and the balloon manufacturers’ equipment lists specify certain instruments to be in the balloon. However, most pilots find they use instruments less and less as they gain experience and familiarity with the balloon. 

For instance, while the VSI and the altimeter can be used to execute a smooth descent and transition to level flight, the experienced pilot refers only occasionally to the instruments during maneuvers. This is especially so in maneuvers involving descents where more reliance is placed on sight pictures and visual references. 

Some beginner pilots become fixated on the instruments and forget to scan outside for obstacles. If a pilot spends too much time looking at the flight instruments, the instructor may cover the instrument pack with a spare glove or a hand to try to break the formation of a bad habit. Instruments are required and useful, but should not distract the pilot from obstacle avoidance. Always practice see-and-avoid. 

## InFlight Emergencies 

An emergency is a sudden, unexpected situation or occurrence that requires immediate action. In aviation, an emergency is a critical, possibly life-threatening or property- threatening occurrence that may require outside assistance. In an emergency, the pilot may violate any regulation as necessary to safely resolve the emergency, but must be prepared to justify his or her actions. 

Because of its basic simplicity, there are few catastrophic failures or emergencies in a hot air balloon. Virtually all emergency situations involving balloons can be grouped into three categories: 

• Loss/malfunction of vent or deflation line 

• Loss/malfunction of pilot light 

• Fuel leak 

## Loss/Malfunction of Vent or Deflation Line 

This is usually thought of as a loss of the envelope valve control line. This could occur after a particularly windy inflation, during which the pilot has inadvertently burned through the control line and failed to notice it prior to launch. Another variation could be a control line stuck in a guide pulley, preventing the pilot from being able to control the parachute vent. 

Regardless of the reason, loss of a control line must be handled. A pilot experiencing this problem must be prepared to land the balloon with a minimal amount of control, as he or she has use only of the burner to affect the descent. The pilot should maintain minimum altitudes and land in the largest 

area possible. If a high wind landing is expected, the pilot should anticipate rebound and dragging after touchdown; the pilot also needs to consider the prospect of deliberately landing the balloon in a less than desirable area in order to avoid potential power line contacts. 

## Loss/Malfunction of Pilot Light 

Hot air balloon burner pilot lights are extremely reliable; however, they do fail at times. This is usually caused by a failure in the valve controlling the pilot light, or clogging of the orifice in the pilot regulator due to contamination in the fuel supplying the pilot light. 

In a dual burner system, the failure of a pilot light is not a serious issue, as the balloon can still be controlled through the use of the second burner. The pilot may attempt to relight the pilot light by using both burners at the same time. To some extent, the pilot may be able to utilize this procedure to fly the balloon until able to land in a suitable location, should the extinguished pilot light not relight. 

Pilot light failure in a single burner balloon is of more concern, as the pilot’s options for continued flight are reduced. The pilot needs to take immediate action to relight the pilot light, either through the use of a piezoelectric igniter (if equipped), or by using a striker or other ignition source. Many balloon burners are not designed to be conveniently relit while standing in the basket; this should be practiced on a periodic basis by the pilot, at a minimum during flight reviews. Should the pilot light not relight immediately, many burners can still be utilized by “cracking” the main blast valve very slightly, and then lighting the fuel stream from the burner’s jets. Other sources may include the backup system fitted in that particular balloon. The pilot may slightly open the valve controlling the backup system, and attempt to light that stream of propane. In any case, a landing as soon as practical is probably the best course of action 

## Fuel Leak 

Fuel leaks in flight have the potential for catastrophic results and must be acted upon immediately. Because of the design of most balloon fuel systems, there are numerous potential “leak points” which may be the source for a fuel leak. Fuel lines and fuel line fittings, tank valves, and blast valves all have the potential for failure, and the balloon pilot must be aware of the various circumstances, and be prepared to deal with them. 

Virtually all in-flight fuel leak emergencies in a balloon can be dealt with by shutting off the fuel source. Small fires from leaks around a fuel line fitting may be extinguished by shutting off the fuel source and then wrapping a gloved 

