As part of the Licensing and Training Simplification Project, UK CAA will no longer be issuing UK PPL(BA) or UK CPL(B) after 1st October 2025. Students who have trained for the UK PPL(BA) or UK CPL(B) and have their licence issued after 1st October 2025, will be issued with a Part BFCL BPL (subject to meeting crediting requirements as listed in CAP 3142.
Pilot Licences for Balloons allow a pilot to fly recreationally and, subject to holding sufficient privileges be able to fly passengers and conduct aerial work.
Pilots can apply for a UK Part-BFCL BPL. The licence has several different ratings depending on what flying you wish to do.
For information on medical requirements please refer to the medical page.
PPL(BA) and CPL(B) holders can continue to fly Part-21 balloons after 30th September but only for hot-air balloon group A, gas balloon (if held) or hot-air airship (if held) as private flights only. No instruction is permitted (coaching is permitted provided the individual has at least 50 hours PIC). You must comply with BPL for recency requirements (BFCL.160) including an instructor flight in last 48 months (first instructor flight is required by 1st October 2029).
How do I apply?
The application form Application for initial issue of a UK BPL, conversion of an existing UK National licence to a BPL, the addition of Ratings to a BPL, or renewal of ratings to a BPL (Commercial Operations only) can be used to apply for the following services:
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Initial issue of a UK Part-BFCL BPL
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Addition of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL*
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Renewal of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL (Commercial Operations only)
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Conversion of an existing UK national licence to UK Part-BFCL BPL
*Pilots holding a UK ANO PPL who are applying for an additional rating shall follow the addition of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL route.
How much does it cost?
Initial issue of a UK Part-BFCL BPL (no previous UK licence held) - £205.00.
Addition of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL - £162.00
Renewal of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL (Commercial Operations only) - £119.00
Conversion of an existing UK national licence to UK Part-BFCL BPL - £98.00
Additional costs, such as the charge for using our secure courier service, are payable at the same time as the fee for your application.
What do I need to send with my application?
Initial issue of a UK Part-BFCL BPL
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Course Completion Certificate. For the purpose of this application form, a “Course Completion Certificate” does not necessarily mean you have undertaken a course of training; this could be flights with a UK instructor or another appropriately qualified pilot (as applicable in the Regulations)
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A certified copy of your photo ID
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Original or certified copy of your Flying Logbook(s)
Addition of ratings to a Part-BFCL BPL
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Examiner Report Form (if applicable)
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Course Completion Certificate For the purpose of this application form, a “Course Completion Certificate” does not necessarily mean you have undertaken a course of training; this could be flights with a UK instructor or another appropriately qualified pilot (as applicable in the Regulations)
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A certified copy of your UK Part-BFCL BPL
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Logbook evidence of the rating applied for (for example evidence of Night instruction)
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When applying to add the Night rating, you must provide evidence of a colour safe assessment (if you have made a Pilot Medical Declaration) or hold a Class 2 medical without a VCL restriction (valid by day only)
Renewal of ratings to a UK Part-BFCL BPL (Commercial Operations only)
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Course Completion Certificate* For the purpose of this application form, a “Course Completion Certificate” does not necessarily mean you have undertaken a course of training; this could be flights with a UK instructor or another appropriately qualified pilot (as applicable in the Regulations)
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A certified copy of your UK Part-BFCL BPL
Conversion of a UK PPL (BA) or UK CPL (B) to a UK Part-BFCL BPL
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A certified copy of your photo ID
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A certified copy of your UK PPL (BA) or UK CPL (B) licence (whichever licence you are converting from)
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Original or certified copy of your Flying Logbook page(s) if you are applying for any additional ratings (i.e. Commercial or Night BFCL)
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A certified copy of your BBAC Instructor certificate (if you are applying for the FI BFCL)
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When applying to add Night privileges, you must provide evidence of a colour safe assessment
What else do I need to know?
For the purpose of this application form, a “training provider” can refer to a UK instructor or a UK DTO.
For the purpose of this application form, a “Course Completion Certificate” does not necessarily mean you have undertaken a course of training; this could be flights with a UK instructor or another appropriately qualified pilot (as applicable in the Regulations below)
If you wish to apply for a UK issued balloon licence based on credits from another licence you hold, either with the UK CAA or an ICAO contracting State, contact us for further details of the requirements at FCLWEB@CAA.co.uk. Provide us with copies of your other licences and theoretical knowledge exam passes.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
We are currently working within the published service levels of 10 working days for all application types.
Note: Having a clear form and logbook (where appropriate) will allow the CAA to issue a licence and rating more efficiently, with less risk of errors or rejections and subsequent delays to your application.
What happens next?
Further information on what to expect from us can be found on our processing of applications webpage.
How long is it valid for?
- The UK Part-BFCL is non-expiring (it has a lifetime validity).
- Class ratings are supported by a recency period of 13 months.
- The night rating is non-expiring (it has a lifetime validity).
- The commercial non-passenger operation rating is non-expiring (it has a lifetime validity).
- The Commercial passenger operation rating will have a different validity depending on when it was issued and when it is being utilised. Please refer to BFCL.220.
- The FI (B) instructor certificate is supported by a recency period of 36-months. We are currently developing the application to enable pilots to apply for an FI(B) and will add further information to this page once the application is available.