Warbird Information Exchange

Can I buy one?
Sorry, not yet. We have at least another year of product research and development to do. After that, our design will most likely need to be reviewed by the FAA before it can be sold. The FAA's design review and certification process can be as short as a few months or can take several years.

If I can't buy one can I at least buy a ride?
Sorry again. The aircraft is certified as "experimental" by the FAA and so we're prohibited from selling rides.

Do I need to be a pilot to fly it?
Yes, you'll need to be trained as a pilot. We suggest that one should have ratings as both an airplane pilot and as a hot air balloon pilot in order to fly this aircraft.

Is an airship rating required?
According to the FAA's regulations, Alberto technically qualifies as an airship. So yes, in order to take passengers, a pilot must have an airship rating. However, the airship rating, as currently implemented by the FAA, focuses almost entirely on pressurized, helium-based aircraft. That's not terribly appropriate since our design is neither pressurized nor helium-based.

From our flight experience, we believe the current ratings that best prepare a prospective hot air blimp pilot are airplane combined with hot air balloon. We've formally asked the FAA to issue an exemption to better match the reality of Alberto's unique character to the rules. We're waiting for their ruling.