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.
Hot air balloons will be judged based on precision, using digital loggers and marker drops on targets at various distances, all within a one-hour flight window. In contrast, gas balloons will compete in a distance race – measured in a straight line via loggers – within national borders and over a period of 48 hours.
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.
Over the three days of the competition, we will see more than 10 gas balloons and 10 hot air balloons taking off, with one free flight for gas balloons and flights on three mornings and two 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, and the team with the highest combined score will win the Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup!