Homemade hot air balloon (launching)

Early September and a gathering of balloon enthusiasts come together to launch a homebuilt hot air balloon into the late evening sunshine.
Thanks to Colin Jones from letting us all help out launching his wonderful unique G-BYMW - BOLAND 52'000ft3
Music - Parkside by Dan Lebowitz

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

I was lucky to be granted inside access (literally) to a Brand New homebuild balloon on it's first test inflations - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKSXp2lnlr59eJI We are loving watching THE BIG BALLOON FESTIVAL project take flight, and we are really happy you are watching and enjoying our content, want to know more? We are pleased to announce you can now sign up for THE VIP LAUNCH SITE experience mailchi.mp/d22d54879338/welcome-to-the-launch-site

[@ginnielacy170]

What a beautiful balloon! I love hot-air balloons! They are my favorite aircraft! Hot-air balloons are so beautiful and colorful!

[@ThomasGrillo]

That's a beautiful balloon! Thanks for sharing.

[@CanadianGirl2181]

The balloon is very pretty but I feel like there should have been like a shield that protects the flame from the wind bc most balloons that I see where I live they have that but I don't know if all of them have it but you guys was homemade though.

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Your referring what's known as `the scoop' this helps during windy inflations drive the passing wind up into the envelope - which helps the balloon become pressurised, it also helps to keep the heat from missing the mouth of the balloon when on the ground. They are optional and not essential (but also expensive and heavy so this might be a reason This balloon doesn't have one)

[@waynemacfarland1546]

This makes me want to go up in a hot-air balloon again! Thank you so much for posting this!

[@JoaoPedro-tk4xl]

amazing congratilations from brazil beatiful ballons

[@BAGHEAD1995]

I hardly see any balloons in the UK skies anymore. When I was a kid in the 80s, I vividly remember seeing them all the time in summer. Some days at least 15 or so in the sky at once. And I lived in the midlands.

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

yes the 1980 was a massive peak in the popularity of the sport, and commercialization as private pilots moved into Aerial marketing and passenger rides flights, a golden era perhaps (I'm bias having grown up in the 80's too :-) ) 2020 was for obvious reasons a low point with very few flights, I've attended 2 events so far in 2021 - with 20 and 120 balloon teams (in Redditch), footage to follow soon

[@neumorin]

I want to do this!!

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

I can't recommend it enough :-) take the leap and never look back (or down if you don't like heights)

[@shorenagario2327]

I love this i wanna do this ;-;

[@TheLondonCyclist]

My god this gives me anxiety lol This is great. How do you get down?

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Sorry I've just seen your comment. I'll direct you to this video on how to get the air out :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2OVdIKvqLZjjtE happy landings

[@mrrawson8385]

If I made a hot air balloon in my backyard and test it but it’s connected to the ground and the neighbours can see it do I get fined?

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Ooh tricky area and very much depends where you are in the world. In the UK registering a balloon over 20kg in weight is required I registered my homebuilt early in the project so there was no question when it came to the test inflations. Sounds like you may have an interesting project on the go in your ;-) back yard ;-)

[@mrrawson8385]

I’m in the uk

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Then you might want to check out Facebook group 'annex 1 balloon group' as this is where the UK homebuilders gather to exchange ideas when not flying. You can also drop me an email if you like @ [e-mail]

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Homemade hot air balloons are not very common, here at `The big balloon Festival' we are lucky to be part of a growing movement in the UK. here are some videos which highlights the variety of balloons being hand crafted and flown in the UK. Follow the channels own homebuilt balloon in the `Adventures of Mercury' series kzbin.info/aero/PL-FtZ8D04WMMXezClePLGTMjaPXZaRW0X or watch the process of construction in the `How to Build' series kzbin.info/aero/PL-FtZ8D04WMNwAIsVEUVmS7UKhuMqmoab Dom Bareford Alex Court constructed this "Courtford Racer" and kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3etlouLed6Lgqs And here world champion Dom puts its aerodynamic shape to good use with some target practice kzbin.info/www/bejne/r32kgIKejLKAq7c

[@danizweifler6061]

hi guys......; your link is exactly what I do need..... :-)..... // thank you very much.... // I did fly "heavier" stuff in the past..... // but far too expensive.... :-(..... // hot air ballooning would be a good way to be in the air at a fraction of the costs I did have to pay in the past..... :-) // greetings

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

@@danizweifler6061 glad to be able to inspire you I hope ballooning will bring you many (though unlikely to be on a runway) happy landings

[@babeena_gt_3645]

This is cool, but you should have made a basket too

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Lots of the hombuilds being made at the moment have moved away from the traditional wicker to fabric over metal frames (try this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaTLlYucYrioers ) but the one on this balloon is a hard plastic moulding that everything packs neatly inside for transportation.

[@lexitnute1306]

It doesny look handmade and its beautiful tho

[@Ceratto168]

Epic

[@W2mad]

Nice experiment

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

Thank you

[@sreenibasbehera6900]

What type of material are used to make parachute

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

PU coated ripstop nylon for this one. But polyester is also an option as long as it is 1)not porous 2)does not propagate flame /fire 3)is strong enough to carry the stresses

[@beatrizmf9965]

You can see the other inflations in the background

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

You might enjoy this one - kind of windy the next day - but a little more close up on the balloons in the background :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2jSZ2Zjj8ephtk

[@arielmetamorphosis]

This reminds me of jules verne the Mysterious Island

[@cinnamongirlhere]

I have phobia from the large fabric ....

[@explorewithdylaninthegreat8952]

Is it just me or is look a little bit windy

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

A little too brisk for my skills, but there were plenty of others who chose to fly over the weekend. More footage of some quick launches to come

[@tharkappuulagam450]

It doesn't look like home made

[@TheBigBalloonFestival]

That's a huge complement, and I'll pass it on to the builder when next we meet. we have access to most of the technology that's used in mass produced balloons, and then it's just a matter of practicing the construction / sewing skills

[@suniawale]

L