Z-Type
From£11,310€13,350Z-31 envelope
EnquireWhether you’re an expert pilot or new-to-ballooning, the Z-type means business.
The Cameron Balloons built Z-type is the ideal hot-air balloon envelope for any aerial-work business or professional passenger-rides company. For more than five decades, our elegant balloons have been successfully tried and tested around the globe, in the world’s favourite tourist-flying locations.
Cameron Balloons Ltd has built over 1,100 Z-Types in Bristol to date. This leading horizontally cut, smooth-surface design, makes effective use of fabrics delivering a broad, smooth display-space, perfect for photo-realistic promotional designs, logos, artworks or advertising messages.
At a glance
Horizontally designed panels make the surface of this balloon near-smooth and ideal for artwork.
Envelope sizes vary with nearly 30 size options available – from Hopper envelopes for Solo Pilots to Passenger Rides envelopes designed to carry a Pilot and up to 32 Passengers.
Our balloon envelopes use a combination of fabrics; a Nomex, heat-resistant base (mouth) panel, Superlight Nylon or high-tenacity Ripstop Nylon and/or silicone-elastomer Hyperlast options, in a choice of 26 colours including shiny metallic silver and gold.
All Z-Type models
All envelopes are delivered with envelope karabiners, envelope bag and relevant paperwork.
| Z-31 Hopper | Z-42 Hopper | Z-56 | Z-65 | Z-69 | Z-77 | Z-90 | Z-105 | Z-120 | Z-133 | Z-140 | Z-145 | Z-150 | Z-160 | Z-180 | Z-210 | Z-225 | Z-250 | Z-275 | Z-315 | Z-340HL (High Load) | Z-350 | Z-375 | Z-400 | Z-425LW (Light Weight) | Z-450 | Z-500 | Z-550 | Z-600 | Z-750 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size cu.ft | 31,450 | 42,000 | 56,000 | 65,000 | 69,000 | 77,500 | 90,000 | 105,000 | 120,000 | 133,000 | 140,000 | 145,000 | 150,000 | 160,000 | 180,000 | 210,000 | 225,000 | 250,000 | 275,000 | 315,000 | 340,000 | 350,000 | 375,000 | 400,000 | 425,000 | 450,000 | 500,000 | 550,000 | 600,000 | 750,000 |
| Size cu.M | 890 | 1,190 | 1,586 | 1,841 | 1,954 | 2,195 | 2,549 | 2,974 | 3,398 | 3,767 | 3,965 | 4,106 | 4,248 | 4,531 | 5,098 | 5,947 | 6,372 | 7,080 | 7,788 | 8,920 | 9,629 | 9,912 | 10,620 | 11,328 | 12,036 | 12,744 | 14,158 | 15,574 | 16,992 | 21,238 |
| No. of gores | 16 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Passenger no. | Pilot | Pilot + 1 | Pilot + 1 | Pilot + 1 or 2 | Pilot + 1 or 2 | Pilot + 2 | Pilot + 2 or 3 | Pilot + 3 or 4 | Pilot + 4 or 5 | Pilot + 5 | Pilot + 5 or 6 | Pilot + 6 | Pilot + 6 | Pilot + 6 or 7 | Pilot + 7 or 8 | Pilot + 8 to 10 | Pilot + 10 | Pilot + 10 to 12 | Pilot + 12 to 14 | Pilot + 16 | 24 | Pilot + 16 | Pilot + 16 | Pilot+ 16 | Pilot + 16 to 20 | Pilot + 20 to 24 | Pilot + 28 | Pilot + 28 | Pilot + 32 | Pilot + 32 |
| Nomex option | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel | Scoop / Extra row of Nomex for 'A' Panel |
| Dimensions | 15.4m / 12.4m | 17m / 13.8m | 18.8m / 15.2m | 19.6m / 15.9m | 20m / 16.2m | 20.6m / 16.8m | 21.6m / 17.7m | 22.6m / 18.7m | 23.5m / 19.5m | TBC | 24.6m / 20.5m | TBC | 25.1m / 21m | 25.1m / 21.5m | 26m / 22.3m | 27.3m / 23.5m | 27.9m / 24m | 28.8m / 24.9m | 29.7m / 25.7m | 31m / 26.9m | TBC | 32m / 27.9m | TBC | TBC | 34m / 29.7m | 34.6m / 30.3m | 35.5m / 31m | n/a | 37.8m / 33.3m | 40.7 m / 35.9m |
| Typical enevlope weight | Superlight - 32kg | Superlight - 42kg | Superlight - 58kg | Superlight - 62kg | Superlight - 64kg | Superlight - 75kg or Ripstop Nylon - 105kg. | Superlight - 85kg or Ripstop Nylon - 120kg | Superlight - 94kg or Ripstop Nylon - 130kg | Superlight - 105kg or Ripstop Nylon - 150kg | Ripstop Nylon - 155kg | Ripstop Nylon - 170kg | Ripstop Nylon - 172kg | Ripstop Nylon - 175kg | Ripstop Nylon - 185kg | Ripstop Nylon - 196kg | 220kg | 232kg | 258kg | 284kg | 311kg | TBC | 346kg | 359kg | 375kg | 384kg | tbc | 482kg | 499kg | 516kg | 545kg |
| Deflation systems options | Parachute | Parachute | Parachute | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | Parachute / RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS | RDS |
| Turning vents | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Optional extra * | Included * | Included * | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Design Chart | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | TBC | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download |
Envelope options
Fabric colours
- Please see our fabric colour charts for:
- Superlight colour wheel - 38gsm fabric for use in Superlight envelopes
- Ripstop Nylon & Hyperlast colour wheel - 69gsm Nylon & 90gsm Hyperlast
- Nomex colour wheel - Heat resistant fabric for the mouth, additional "A" panels and scoop as required
- Special dye fabrics are also available upon request. This can be the perfect solution to colour-match a desired pantone or corporate shade. Special dye fabrics are made in a bespoke way as required and therefore can sometimes incur an additional supplier production lead time or surcharge. Clients are invited to approve colour sample(s) and to agree to the additional fabric production time, prior to committing to buying any specially dyed fabric batches.
Envelope Options
- Superlight fabric is an available option for all balloons and can be used in conjuction with our Ripstop Nylon and Hyperlast.
- Internal load-tape construction is an option, available upto a 140,000cu. ft. envelope.
- Envelope ‘windows’ made from Cameron Balloons "see-safe" fabric - can be installed into the envelope to offer a view of the sky above.
- An additional row of heat resistant Nomex within the envelope 'A' panels is an additional option from 105,000cu. ft upwards.
- Further aircraft registration marks and country flags can be applied in addition to the regulation sets required.
Why not consider Superlight?
Due to a large percentage of a hot-air balloon envelope being fabric, a fundamental weight-saving can be made by using a lighter Ripstop Nylon. This can often save up to 30% of the envelope's fabric weight depending on the type and size of balloon built.
Other changes in envelope specification for example; flat-webbing tapes, 3mm diameter flying wires and lightweight crownline can also help to save kilos.
To continue with the weight-saving theme, why not consider Kevron load tapes? These tapes while also immensely strong and very light-weight, offer a further 4% reduction in weight when compared to other tapes. Cameron Balloons encapsulates these 'tapes' within the seams, to protect them from potentially damaging UV rays. Any Kevron load tape that can not be protected within a seam is housed within a tubular, outer tape to ensure its longevity.
We are very pleased to announce that our Superlight fabric (38gsm) is currently being offered at the same price as our Ripstop Nylon (69gsm). A range of 49gsm Ripstop Nylon fabric is also available, subject to a small supplement charge.
Why not chat with our Sales Team about which fabric is right for your balloon or project, we would be delighted to provide ideas, suggestions, case-study experience, customer testimonials and fabric samples.
Telephone +44(0) 117 963 7216 or email our Sales Team for further details - sales@cameronballoons.co.uk
Optional equipment
- Choice of deflation systems - RDS (Rapid Deflation System) or Standard Parachute.
- Single or twin turning-vents available upto 133,000cu. ft. envelopes. Double turning-vents available throughout the range. All turning-vents are included in envelopes from 120,000cu. ft upwards.
- Lightweight polyester loadtapes are available for envelopes upto 105,000cu. ft.
- Kevron loadtapes are available for envelopes upto 130,000cu. ft. - Kevron loadtapes consists of woven aramid fibre webbing encased in fabric sheath which replaces conventional polyester or nylon tape for weight-saving advantage.
- Kevlar flying cables are also a lightweight option to consider in place of stainless-steel flying wires.
- Shaped banners with or without artwork are available, tailor-made to hug your balloon envelope’s surface in a range of sizes and materials.
See the Z-Type for yourself
What people are saying…
“It was an absolute pleasure to visit, and is fascinating to see where & how our balloons are made. The welcome we received was brilliant and your staff were so accommodating. They’re an absolute credit to the business.”
Alex Ferguson, Virgin Balloon Flights Ltd
“Yes Baby You is a dream. Not an easy project and it would not have been possible without your calmness, professionalism and positive attitude. Thanks for putting your shoulders to the wheel and showing the way.”
Bart Van Peel
“I am so impressed by how wonderful it looks. So true to the ideas and the design, and so BIG. I almost can't believe you pulled it off, but I always knew you would.’”
Patricia Piccinini, Artist and Sculptor of SkyWhale
“After 7 years of worldwide performances, not a single problem during the annual inspections of our equipment built by Cameron Balloons. #quality”
Lenny Cant, Mister Bup Balloon Team, Belgium
“The reproduction of the image on the envelope is truly stunning, but then with Cameron Balloons we know that quality comes as standard”
Damian Crock, Picture This Ballooning, Australia
“..we did the media launch today and it was really fantastic! Everyone was so impressed and the Cirque people were completely blown away!!! You guys really did an absolutely amazing job!!!”
Justin Armour, Sales Director, Adguru Media Group
Customer promise
Excellence really is our lowest standard; exemplary quality, proven reliability and attentive service are some of Cameron Balloons' key and constantly striven for company goals.
Our range of complete balloons, airships and lighter-than-air craft are all fully certified and approved.
Each balloon envelope is built from individual “blocks” of fabric called panels, which are grouped into vertical “segments” known as gores. This beautiful and elegant Z-Type shape is horizontally cut making the surface of this balloon near-smooth, creating the perfect display space for the most imaginative promotional designs.
Cameron Balloons fabrics have anti-mould, anti-mildew and anti-UV degradation agents added to them to prolong the life and colour of all Bristol built balloons. Fluorocarbons are also added to the outside face of the fabric to defend the fabric from moisture, dirt and debris.
All hot-air balloons require regular maintenance and servicing (a bit like a car) to keep the balloon-systems working reliably for years of happy flying. Maintenance usually takes place after 100 flying hours or 12months whichever is sooner. Cameron Balloons also offers, with over five decades of experience, aftersales support and assistance with everything from flight and maintenance manuals to airworthiness inspections and spares.
Cameron Balloons also offers assurance – An ESCROW account is available – guaranteeing that your deposit payment is safe with us.
Articles featuring Z-Type
9 October, 2022
6 October, 2022
8 October, 2015
