For pilots ready to go up, up, and away in their beautiful balloons, this official handbook is a must-have. Created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it conforms to the agency's certification standards and offers both beginning and experienced balloonists the essential knowledge necessary for safe piloting. It includes information on how to choose a balloon that best meets your needs; advice on preparing for a flight (weather checking, inspecting equipment, selecting a launch site, picking a crew); detailed instructions for inflating, launching, and landing a balloon; in-flight maneuvers for navigating in wind; regulations for balloon maintenance; requirements for earning a pilot certificate; and more.