Ballooning

Year

2006

The idea

Intelligent ballooning in a tandem formation opens up a new experience of the airspace; the upside-down balloon appears to stand on its head.

The objective

Air not only functions as a working medium in industrial automation, but also provides safe transportation with unusual flying objects.

Technical data

• Gross volume (balloon/upside-down balloon): 3970 m3/3823 m3
• Active volume (balloon/upside-down balloon): 3970 m3/2210 m3
• Weight envelope (balloon/upside-down balloon): 128 kg/298 kg
• Height (balloon/upside-down balloon): 29 m/29 m
• Width (balloon/upside-down balloon): 25 m/25 m
• Horizontal surface area (balloon/upside-down balloon): 105 m2/108 m2
• Crew (balloon/upside-down balloon): pilot + 4/pilot + 0
• Propane gas (balloon/upside-down balloon): 240 l/180 l
• Altitude (balloon/upside-down balloon: 200-1000 m)

Operating principle

The hot air balloons always fly in tandem. The cabin of the upside-down balloon is integrated into its envelope; the pilot therefore literally flies blind, relying on the accompanying classic passenger balloon for safety and receiving instructions from the other pilot especially during the difficult landing phase.

Design

The upside-down balloon has an unusual design: its cabin, concealed on the underside of this hot air balloon, is invisible to distant observers, while a mock “cabin” is mounted to the top, giving the illusion that the aircraft is standing on its head.