REMINDER: Balloon Licenses and Ratings Conversion

From 30 September 2025 it will be mandatory to hold a UK Part BFCL BPL licence to fly Part-21 balloons.

All pilots whose recommendations were sent to the CAA by 30 June 2025 are guaranteed to have their licence issued by 30 September 2025. Applications submitted after this date will be assessed on a first-come, first-serve basis and may result in pilots being unable to exercise privileges temporarily.

Balloon pilots will need to apply to the CAA to convert their current UK ANO licences to a UK Part-BFCL BPL, should they wish to continue flying Part 21 balloons from 30 September 2025.

For further information, see our dedicated Balloon webpages.