The Sporting Competition:

The discipline of competitive balloon flight requires years of rigorous training, and it’s not for everyone. This is evidenced by the fact that in Italy, there are no more than 50 active hot air balloon pilots and fewer than 5 active gas balloon pilots.

The Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup is a unique race in Italy and internationally, focused on precision and distance. It involves two different types of balloons: hot air balloons and gas balloons. Due to the differences in performance between these two types (hot air balloons typically undertake shorter flights, while gas balloons have greater flight autonomy), there will be separate competitions for each type. These competitions will have their own category cups and a final special jury prize, though there will be an overall combined evaluation for the event.

The hot air balloon has precision targets through digital loggers and the launching of markers on goals and distance within 1 hour of flight, while the gas balloon conducts a distance race-measured in a straight line, again through loggers– within the national borders, within 48 hours time.

Each hot air balloon crew consists of a pilot and, if necessary, a navigator, and they begin with a quantity of propane gas appropriate to the size of the balloon. Each gas balloon crew is composed of two pilots, and they start with a fair amount of gas and ballast for their balloon’s size.

Importantly, there are no motors involved – only the wind will move the balloons through the atmosphere as they navigate their way to success. The only way to ascend or descend and take advantage of the best wind currents is by heating or cooling the air inside the envelope, or releasing some gas for hot air balloons, and by dropping ballast or venting gas for gas balloons. Behind this seemingly simple process lies a complex and meticulously planned operation, with detailed preparations and the development of winning flight strategies. A skilled and experienced ground team, along with weather support, is essential.

The 3 days of competition will feature 16 gas balloons and as many hot air balloons with free flight starts on one of the days for gas balloons and on 3 mornings and 2 afternoons for hot air balloons, weather permitting.

Each gas balloon team will be paired with a hot air balloon team to form a mixed team, the one with the highest final score will win theItalian Air Force Balloon Cup!