Connect your questions with situations in the field

Reading an explanation and observing an outing offer different perspectives. In the field, you see how a crew prepares an activity, shares out roles and handles retrieval. This helps identify subjects to explore further with your instructor.

The value goes beyond time spent in the basket. Preparation, the briefing and ground crew work provide a fuller picture of the activity. For student pilots, observing these moments helps place a flight in its wider organisation.

Observe with a clear purpose

Before an outing, choose a subject suited to your level and interests. Focus on how roles are shared, how instructions are communicated or the questions raised by equipment preparation. Ask what you can observe without disrupting the activity.

After the outing, note what you understood and what needs explaining. Distinguish what you actually observed from your interpretation. This lets you return to your instructor with concrete questions instead of drawing conclusions too quickly.

Talk with Charles Desmet and club members

Montgolfières de Bruxelles values shared experience and mentoring. Charles Desmet, a pilot since 1978 and a ballooning instructor and examiner for more than thirty years, supports and advises members as the club’s possibilities allow.

His experience can help put an observation into perspective and identify a subject to explore further. Mentoring develops through conversations and available activities. Membership does not guarantee individual coaching at a fixed frequency; explain your expectations when you first contact us to learn what support may be available.

Understand the club’s role alongside BPL training

BPL stands for Balloon Pilot Licence. The official pathway involves specific training with an authorised organisation. Montgolfières de Bruxelles does not provide official BPL training - observation, conversations and club mentoring complement your experience.

Participating in an outing does not automatically entitle you to flight hours recognised within your course. Questions about your programme, training requirements and recognition of an activity should be discussed with your training organisation. This distinction helps you choose the club for what it actually offers.

Check whether membership fits your plans

The club is based in Brussels and welcomes enthusiasts from Brussels and Brabant in particular. Outing locations vary according to activities. Your proximity, transport options and availability affect how you can participate in crew life.

The €95 annual fee lets you join the association and receive invitations to activities organised by the club or its partners. Flight opportunities depend on weather, organisation and available places. No number of flights is guaranteed. Membership may suit you if you want to observe, help on the ground and exchange ideas through the opportunities offered.

Describe your background when you first contact us

Want to know how club life could enrich your learning? Include your municipality, current level, interests and availability. If you are already in training, explain your situation without sending unnecessary personal documents.

We can discuss your expectations, explain the activities offered and guide you through membership arrangements. An initial conversation helps you decide whether this shared experience fits the place you would like ballooning to have in your life.

Understand club membership ↗