Special shape balloons
We can build you a balloon of almost any shape. Special-shape balloon will truly depict the product or mascot of your company and at the same time will work as a fully functional hot-air balloon. Sophisticated systems of ropes, straps and fabric ribs inside of the balloon will maintain the shape of the envelope.
Our extensive experience with designing various complicated shapes is based on special-shape hot-air balloons and an enormous number of cold-air inflatables.
Development of the special-shape balloon, put in a nutshell, goes like this:
The customer comes to Kubicek Balloons with the concept of something wonderful flying and delighting the public. It may be a toy, a product or even a church or a cathedral. The customer will also bring other basic information - photographs, models or the item that he wishes to see in the air.
Because not every shape is ideal for a balloon (try to build a balloon in a needle shape...) it is sometimes necessary to make some adaptations, for example in proportions. We are able to make almost everything- stuccos, statues and portals..., but we are building an aircraft, so we must respect the weight, safety, flying qualities and of course the customers pocket.
Now it is the right moment for creating a graphical design of the future special shape balloon so that the customer will know exactly what Kubicek Balloons will be building for him. This visual and other documentation will form the contract between the customer and the company. At the same time we will agree a cost and a completion date.
With the contract agreed the meticulous work of our designers starts. This will probably involve hundreds hours of three-dimensioned design using a specially developed design system. Inside the envelope we will incorporate many ribs and lines so that a special shape becomes an aircraft and an aircraft becomes a special shape. Throughout the design process the engineers will be calculating the strength of all the components that make up the balloon. All these calculations will later be checked by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Ideas have to be understood not only by the designers but also by the people who will make all this beauty! That is why precise technical documentation is so necessary.
Now the activity moves from the technicians to the seamstresses and painters. Kilometers of fabric, tapes and lines have to be sewn together.
Other photographs from the production phase.
The moment of the truth is coming - the first inflation. The designersďż˝ pulses are increasing up to 120/sec., seamstresses are fainting while thinking that something could go wrong and they would have to unsew... This is followed by small improvements and finishing the balloon to its full beauty.
The examining pilot takes off to carry out set tasks that confirm the flying qualities of the balloon. How much to climb, how much to descend, how to maneuvre, how to lift, how to land.
Successful flight, soft landing, everything works as it should... Passing drivers are nearly falling out of their cars.
The finished balloon is handed over to a happy customer in the presence of the media. Well, have you ever seen a flying a church?
The balloon is finished and the satisfied customer departs.
That evening and the next day domestic and foreign media are richer with information about the birth of a flying church. The balloon even has not reached its destination and it has already been the subject of publicity all over the world! The customer is very satisfied.
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