The second edition of the Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup closed with over 52,000 spectators with:
Three performances by the Frecce Tricolori, 30 competing hot air balloons, nearly 2,000 tied ballon flights, almost 3,000 works created by children during their dedicated creative workshops, over 200 accredited media operators, 8.4 million views on social media, over 50 hours of show, 19 hectares of distributed installations, including 17 dedicated to the public and 2 hectares dedicated to competitions, non-stop music, and a rich program of events that attracted spectators from all over Northern Italy despite the uncertain weather.
A unique competition in Europe with Italian and international gas and hot air balloons to promote the values, capabilities, traditions and culture of Defense, particularly of the Italian Air Force.
The initiative is accompanied by overflights of various types of aircraft, aircraft on display, tethered flights with hot air balloons, extra entertainment activities, including workshops for young children, air simulators meeting with pilots and special guests, Partner village and selection of Italian culinary excellence for the extensive entertainment area.
Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup is part of the Valore Paese Italia program, with a unique opportunity to promote, from the sky, the beauty and charm of our country.
A location with ample space and services: theSan Damiano Military Airport in the municipality of San Giorgio Piacentino, where the first and only Flying museum in Italy was launched in 2024, with a display of historical aircraft and illustration of aviation maintenance activities.
The Italian Air Force Balloon Cup is an innovative and international aerostatic sports competition promoted and organized by Difesa Servizi in collaboration with the Italian Air Force, the Aero Club of Pavullo and with the technical support of Aeronord Aerostati. The event promotes institutional, environmental, social and sporting values through balloon flying.
Two types of balloons will participate: gas balloons and hot air balloons. There will be separate competitions for each type based on their flying characteristics and joint awarding of the twin team between the two classes of balloons with the highest sum of scores.
Hot-air balloons will be evaluated on accuracy, while gas balloons will conduct a distance competition. Results will be determined through digital loggers and physical trackers, which record the balloons’ performance.
Yes, the event will be open to the public. A village full of side activities, booths and opportunities for interaction with participants will be set up to ensure an engaging experience for all.
Yes, several activities are planned for children, including educational workshops related to balloons. There will also be captive flight, where little ones from 5 years old and adults, can have a first experience of taking off, landing and floating in the air.
First held at the Piacenza Airport Detachment, the event may move to different locations in Italy in subsequent years, touching various parts of the country.
For up-to-date information, you can visit the website and social channels dedicated to the Italian Air Force Balloon Cup, which will be updated with new information as the initiative approaches. Here you will find details about the program, sponsors and all news related to the event.
The Balloon Cup is an opportunity to spread the values, traditions and capabilities of the Italian Air Force, promote Italy’s cultural and natural heritage and encourage the sustainable development of the territories involved, while respecting fundamental institutional and social values.
Communications related to the Italian Air Force Balloon Cup will be coordinated to ensure consistency with the goal of promoting the values behind the event. Collaborations with key media partners and institutions are planned to maximize visibility and public involvement.
Both are aircraft, and both types of balloons take advantage of the lifting principle whereby a “lighter-than-air gas rises upward.”
In gas balloons, the envelope is completely spherical and enclosed, with a mixture of gases lighter than air inside that ensure its lift ( usually Helium)
In hot air balloons, on the other hand, the characteristic shape is “bulbous,” and lift is achieved by heating the air inside using burners. The mixture of hot air and propane gas combustion provides the force needed to lift off the ground.
On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor by Pope Pius VII in Paris. And here, a balloon called the Ballon du Sacre (Ballon of Consecration) was raised in front of Notre Dame. A few days later a strong wind broke its moorings and the balloon flew to Lake Bracciano where it crashed.
Today, considered the oldest known aeronautical relic and the only surviving balloon, the Ballon is on display at the Italian Air Force Historical Museum (MUSAM) in Vigna di Valle, Bracciano donated by Pope Paul VI. The remains of the balloon, in fact, had been immediately given to the Pope and kept in the Vatican’s Apostolic Floreria until 1977, when the Museum was inaugurated on May 24.
The Italian Air Force, also has a long history in the use of airships right at Vigna di Valle, home of the Air Force Historical Museum. It was October 3, 1908, when the first Italian military airship took off for a short exploratory flight.
