Working in partnership Gefa Flug, the Cameron Balloons hot-air airship costs less than 5% of the price of a modern helium-filled craft to operate. The hot-air airship requires no large hanger, no portable mooring mast, no expensive ancillary equipment and only a small operating crew.
Maintenance of the Gefa Flug hot-air airship is simple and inexpensive.
Like hot air balloons, thermal airships are first inflated partially with cold (ambient temperature) air. Once the envelopes are sufficiently full, a propane burner is ignited, and the inflation is completed using heated air.
A Hot Air Ship generates buoyancy by heating air in the large envelope, overhead a Gondola. The lower density of interior hot air compared to cool ambient air causes an upward force on the envelope. This is very similar to a hot air balloon, with the notable exception that an airship has a powered means of propulsion, whilst a hot air balloon relies on winds for navigation.
These Hot Air Ships are routinely deflated after each flight and can be readily packed for storage and/or transport.
The first public flight of a hot air airship was made by Don Cameron in a Cameron D-96 at the Icicle Meet in January 1973.
“...the balloon was shipped on time. I received the paperwork and authorisation to fly on the Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the balloon was inflated in front of 16,000 people in a special event.”
Pierre Galley, Switzerland
“It has been a pleasure to work with everyone at Cameron Balloons Ltd on this project for Universal Pictures and I hope we can continue to do so with other clients. Thanks to everyone at CBL for ‘making this happen’.”
Nick Langley, MD @ Airship & Balloon Company Ltd, UK
“'Luna' really is an eye catcher and I am often asked who built it and the story behind it. The envelope is simply beautiful.”
Bernhard Fellinger, Pilot
“The balloon is a beauty :) Thank you and the Cameron Balloons crew.”
Wojciech Kaczmarek, Kol Dental Balloon Team, Poland
“Without a doubt the best balloons to fly. Magnificent aircraft.”
Judy Fillmore, AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning
“Our balloon club, Raumnautit ry, Rauma, Finland has a Cameron C-80 envelope OH-EHR s/n 11299/2009 - It is VERY nice to fly”
Antti Lehto, Finland