Maintenance FAQ’s
 

 Where can I get approved parts for my Aerostar hot air balloon?

Every item installed as a replacement part
must be a FAA approved part. These
parts can be purchased through our
network of regional Aerostar Distributors,
 dealers, repair stations or Aerostar
Authorized Service Centers.

 

During each inspection every component
of the balloon is inspected for wear and/or damage that would affect the
airworthiness of the balloon. All inspection requirements can be found in the Aerostar Continued Airworthiness Instruction
Manual (ACAI) Manual.

Some of the items performed are:
•  Fabric testing for strength, porosity
and maximum temperature
•  Portions of the burners are required to
be rebuilt at each inspection
•  The entire fuel system including tanks, hoses, and burners are tested for leaks
and proper operation
•  Flight instruments (altimeter, variometer
and pyrometer) are checked for accuracy
and proper operation
•  The aircraft maintenance records are reviewed to insure that each applicable
service bulletin and airworthiness
directive has been complied with
 

Who can perform the required
inspections and repairs on an
Aerostar hot air balloon?

The person performing the inspection
must hold a FAA Repairman Certificate at a
certified FAA Repair Station or hold an Inspection Authorization (IA) Certificate
issued by the FAA.  The person performing repairs (other than preventive maintenance) must hold a FAA Repairman Certificate at a certified FAA Repair Station or hold a
Mechanic (A&P) Certificate issued
by the FAA.

Information concerning the requirement and limitations of these certificates can be found
in the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 65.

To perform preventative maintenance, a
person must hold at least a private pilot certificate issued by the FAA.  Additional information detailing the regulations for maintenance and preventive maintenance
can be found in Part 43 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations.
 

    Aerostar International has developed a network of factory trained FAA Certified Repair
    Stations available to service your Aerostar hot air balloon. We have chosen each
    Service Center based on their years of experience, dedication to high quality repairs,
    and recommendations from balloon owners and pilots in their area. As an Aerostar
    Authorized Service Center, each facility is required to stock a minimum inventory of
    replacement parts as specified by the factory.

    It is also required that each Service Center have all the necessary tools and equipment
    to properly inspect and maintain an Aerostar hot air balloon. Last, but not least, every
    Service Center must attend a maintenance seminar held at the Aerostar factory in
    Sioux Falls, SD at least once every three years.

    In addition to the normal maintenance and inspections which the Service Centers
    perform, these are the only facilities authorized to perform warranty repairs to an
    Aerostar balloon. In the event you do require a warranty repair to your Aerostar
    balloon the Service Centers can be the best way to get you back in the air as
    quickly as possible.