In the past, there were two legitimate forms of true aerial logging extant in the world.: balloon logging and helicopter logging. Today, however, helicopter logging is the only aerial logging system in production.

Balloon logging was in production from about the second half of the 1960s through the 1970s.Two companies only were significant loggers by this method and both were based in the Pacific Northwest. However, the economics of the system, the decrease in U.S. Forest Service timber sale volumes (about the only significant user of the system), and the increasing versatility and high production rates being achieved by helicopters, doomed this system. However, from a historical viewpoint, balloon logging needs to be remembered.

Shown below is a schematic of a typical balloon setup. This rigging is called an inverted skyline setup. Note that the balloon provides lift while the skyline "sucks down" the balloon and keeps it under control. A balloon operation in the field can be seen here.