We’re talking about how to get the Aeronautics Badge — aka the “achieve flight” one. This isn’t your usual climb-faster, survive-longer type of challenge in PEAK. Nope. Instead, you’re strapping on balloons and going full-on Up mode. The goal? Gather enough balloons to take off and officially achieve flight. Sounds fun, right? Well, it is — but it’s also a little trickier than it sounds.
How to Achieve Flight | Aeronautics Badge
The Aeronautics Badge is one of PEAK’s lighter, more whimsical achievements — but don’t let that fool you. You’ll still need some luck, a bit of grinding, and just enough altitude awareness to avoid face-planting into the mountainside when gravity calls you back.
Balloons in PEAK aren’t just for show. They’re actually a survival tool, introduced in the Mesa update. Besides making you look like you’re heading to the world’s weirdest birthday party, they reduce fall damage — which is a lifesaver when a single slip can send you tumbling into the abyss. Equip enough, and you can actually lift off the ground and float for a short while… and that’s exactly how you’ll earn your Aeronautics Badge.
How to Get the Aeronautics Badge
To earn the Aeronautics Badge, your mission is simple: equip six balloons at the same time.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Collect balloons — either as singles or in bunches.
- Equip all six from your inventory.
- Press Space to take off and enjoy your moment of glory.
A few important things to keep in mind:
- Balloons pop after about a minute, so keep extras handy.
- Mods don’t count — no matter how tempting it is, the game will only register legit balloons.
- When the balloons go, you will crash down. So don’t hover over a cliff unless you’re ready to respawn.
It’s a great shortcut for climbing and reaching hard-to-access areas… until you’re suddenly reminded that PEAK is still a survival game.
Where to Find Balloons
Finding six balloons is all about RNG — sometimes the game blesses you, sometimes it doesn’t. Your best bet:
- Search every chest you see, especially the big white suitcases, which can contain triple balloons.
- If your first chests are empty or unhelpful, restart and try again.
On my lucky run, I opened the very first big suitcase after landing and pulled a triple balloon, then found another triple halfway up the first mountain. That’s six balloons before even reaching the Mesa biome — smooth sailing from there.
Tip: Even outside of this badge, it’s worth keeping balloons on hand for late-game climbs. Narrow ledges, unstable rocks, and strong winds can all send you down, but balloons can turn a fatal drop into just an embarrassing one.
Why Balloons Matter in PEAK
Aside from being your ticket to the Aeronautics Badge, balloons have a clear survival benefit. While they’re not parachutes (a big enough fall can still knock you out), they reduce fall damage enough to save you from most medium-height mistakes. The more balloons you have, the more cushioning you get.
That makes them perfect for dangerous sections of the climb — think of them as your portable “oops insurance.”
Wrap-Up
The Aeronautics Badge is one of PEAK’s many fun achievements, blending survival strategy with just a bit of childlike wonder. All it takes is six balloons, a little persistence, and a willingness to risk looking silly while floating up a mountain. And hey, once you’ve got them all equipped, take a moment to enjoy the view… before gravity decides the fun’s over.
Up next, if you still haven’t snagged the 24 Karat Badge in PEAK, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve put together a full guide on how to get it, so be sure to give it a look! From getting the “worthy sacrifice” to sacrifing it to the Kiln!
