Balloon Rental Program
The Willamette Aerostat Society has an Aerostar RX-7 (77,000 cu ft) balloon system available for rent. The system can be used for members to receive instruction, or to rent on their own to fly with friends/family.
Here are a few highlights of the program:
- Absolutely no commercial flying or flying for hire or compensation of any kind.
- Renters must receive a “check out” flight from a club instructor prior to flying solo.
- Only club approved instructors may be used.
- The system is available in the Albany, Oregon location, for now. It very likely will to go SE Washington in the fall. Members are welcome to move it to another location if they plan on utilizing it extensively over a short period of time.
- The renter must provide a tow vehicle and at least two crew members.
- The following items are included in the rental:
- Envelope/basket/tanks/etc.
- DigiTool Instrument
- Inflation fan
- Crew radios
- Aviation radio
- Helium tank / pibals
- Nitrogen for fuel tank pressurization (if needed)
- Crew gloves
- Fire Extinguishers and First Aid Equipment
The rental fee is $150 per flight or tether, with the renter being responsible for any damage that may occur and the propane used (return it full of fuel). The club also has a quantity discount available: If you pay for 10 flights/tethers ahead of time, the 11th is free! A $200 deposit is required to become an approved renter, $150 of which is refundable upon request.
An online scheduling system is used to reserve the system. Rental payment is made by credit card immediately after the flight/tether.
This program reduces the cost of flying a balloon significantly. No longer are prospective pilots required to purchase a balloon system for tens of thousands of dollars to learn to fly. Additionally, certificated pilots who do not own their own system may rent this system to stay current, fly for fun, etc.
Note that the cost of insuring a system like this – even for non-commercial flying – is approximately $1300/year. Even if you owned your own balloon, you’d have to fly it 10 times a year to recover the cost of your insurance! This program is a steal for those flying a few times each season.
Rent vs. Buy Cost Comparison
The following is a cost comparison for learning to fly using the balloon rental program or purchasing your own balloon. Note that FAA minimums for the Private Pilot Certificate were utilized for this comparison.
There are other benefits to renting, which are not listed here, such as:
- Having the ability to learn what you do/don’t like about balloon systems before purchasing one of your own.
- Being able to “dip your toes” in ballooning before having to dive in with both feet and gobs of your own money.
- Not having to worry about recurring maintenance costs (hoses needing to be replaced, tanks need to be inspected, annual inspections, etc.)
- Not having to worry about the other little things that tend to come up: refilling helium/nitrogen tanks, purchasing radios, small maintenance items, etc.
Rent
- Initial cost of system: Not Needed
- Title Transfer Costs, Registration, etc.: Not Needed
- Annual Inspection: Included in Rental
- Balloon Insurance: Included in Rental
- Propane for ~10 flights: $450
- Examiner Fees: $400
- Written Test Fee: $175
- Flight Instructor Fees: $400, estimated
- Rental Fees for 10 flights: $1,500
Total: $2,925
Renting has the added benefit of being able to pay for things as you go – at the pace that works for you, your schedule, and your pocket book. The club takes care of all the annual and recurring costs. You are not pressured to finish training prior to inspections lapsing, etc.
Buy
- Initial cost of system: Estimated to be $15,000 for a used system. This can vary dramatically, and assumes nothing else like helium, radios, etc. are needed.
- Title Transfer Costs, Registration, etc.: $160
- Annual Inspection: $400
- Balloon Insurance: $1,300
- Propane for ~10 flights: $450
- Examiner Fees: $400
- Written Test Fee: $175
- Flight Instructor Fees: $400, estimated
- Rental Fees: Not Needed
Total: $18,285