Hot Air is a complete balloon flight companion, built by balloon pilots for balloon pilots. From preflight planning to postflight review, it delivers live tracking, flight recording, waypoint navigation, wind profiling, and more — all designed specifically for the unique needs of hot air ballooning.
Whether you’re a student pilot, a commercial operator, or flying for fun, Hot Air helps you stay organized, informed, and connected.
Features include:
• Live tracking on street or satellite maps
• Wind profiling by altitude during climb and descent
• Waypoint navigation with bearing, distance, and estimated time
• Automatic flight recording with 3D export support
• Custom map overlays (KML/KMZ)
• Offline-capable with map caching
• Real-time flight sharing with crew or friends
• Detailed flight logs for crew, passengers, propane, and temperature
• Flight summaries and totals for logs or checkrides
• Interactive map history of takeoffs and landings
• Export to HTML, KML, or GPX
• Payload calculator for accurate weight and balance
• Integrated weather data and forecasts
• Improved UTM 4x4 waypoint format support
Additional features:
• Real-time heading projection
• Built-in data backup and restore
• Localized in English, French, Czech, and Slovak
• Fully optimized for iPhone and iPad (portrait and landscape)
Note: Continued use of GPS can reduce battery life. Use an external battery for longer flights.
I use this application on every flight. It gives invaluable information in flight, including giving me a view of things like powerlines (loaded by KML) as I fly. Also serves as outstanding reference on past flights, to view trends over time, and also as electronic logbook, with back-up features. Outstanding app that increases my safety in-flight, and increases my enjoyment of the flights as I review the experience with outputs from the tool (like the flight track) after the flight.
A must have tool for every LTA pilot!
DesignJoe
The Hot Air App was the first app developed specifically to meet the needs of LTA pilots! The suite of tools included for flight planning, tracking, and logging is exceptional.Several years ago, the Hot Air app quickly became one of my must-have flight tools, but the recent addition of airspace maps, “AirTalk” (for communication) and “AirScout” (for drone detection) further the commitment to ensuring flight safety.
Excellent App, caring developer is a pilot too
ajstrang
This is very well done by a pilot with a great attention to detail that shows throughout the app. I’m a Commercial pilot flying in a heavily forested area with tight landing spots, and the “projected path” is a great feature. Join the Hot Air Facebook group for great information and tips.
Don't fly your balloon without this !
Ted Gauthier
I have been flying balloons for more than 40 years and I can say this is the best navigation program on the market and I would not consider launching without taking "HOT AIR", with me in the balloon.
Map Pins: Reverted to the classic small pin design for better map clarity.
Interaction: Improved tap accuracy for pins located within airspace boundaries.
Measure Tool: Fixed an issue where airport pins remained hidden while using the Mapbox measure tool.
KML Management: Resolved a bug where deleted KML files would reappear after an app update.
Sensor Settings: Fixed a saving issue to ensure your selected temperature sensor remains active across sessions.
Version 15.06
The developer, Cato Technologies LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Location
Usage Data
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Cato Technologies LLC
Size
123.2 MB
Category
Navigation
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
Apple Vision Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
Apple Watch Requires watchOS 9.0 or later.
Location
This app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life.