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.
“'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
“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
“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
“Without a doubt the best balloons to fly. Magnificent aircraft.”
Judy Fillmore, AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning
“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
“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