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An envelope is one of the main components of the air balloon. It determines the exterior appearance of the air balloon and its load-carrying capability. The envelope capacity should be the main criterion when choosing an air balloon. The less the capacity is, the simpler and the easier is the operation of the air balloon. The bigger the capacity is, the bigger the lifting capability of the air balloon is, and the more passengers can be taken aboard. The heated air inside the envelope creates a lifting force. Every cubic meter of heated air inside the envelope is capable to carry 150…300 gr of load.
There is a wide choice in fabric colors for panel manufacturing (a panel is a rectangular or trapezium-shaped piece of fabric to make an envelope by sewing; the width of such a piece is about 1.5 m). If there are no placards or pictures on the envelope surface, the number of panel colors and their arrangement do not affect the envelope price.
The application of placards and images always increases the cost of the envelope, but at the same time, makes the air balloon recognizable.
The envelope may include turning vents, making possible to rotate the air balloon around its vertical axis, which is most important for performing commercial flights and the correct orientation of the air balloon during landing. Turning vents are obligatory for envelopes of capacity starting from 3500 m3 .
The deflation valve may include transparent panels, making possible to survey the upper hemisphere of the air balloon, which is important for sport kind of air balloons.
Envelope capacity and the number of people aboard
Make the decision about the desirable number of people aboard the air balloon, including a pilot. The more to the south the air balloon is expected to fly, the bigger envelope capacity is required. Use our calculator to determine the recommended optimal envelope capacity.
Envelope models
«Classic» models
The cut of «Classic» envelopes is the most cross-functional one, which makes possible to use it practically for envelopes of any capacity. This model has the widest capacity range; the envelope surface is rather flat, and the visual deformations of the surface images and logos are insignificant. The number of gores in «Classic» envelopes is 24 or more.
|
Class FAI |
Capacity (m3) |
Name |
Mass (kg) |
Limit take-off mass (kg)
|
|
AX 5 |
950 |
Classic 950 | 60 | 310 |
| AX 6 | 1300 | Classic 1300 | 70 | 420 |
| AX 6 | 1550 | Classic 1550 | 80 | 510 |
| AX 7 | 1800 | Classic 1550 | 90 | 580 |
| AX 7 | 2150 | Classic 1800 | 100 | 700 |
| AX 8 | 2550 | Classic 2550 | 110 | 830 |
| AX 8 |
3000 | Classic 3000 | 120 | 975 |
| AX 9 | 3500 | Classic 3500 |
140 | 1140 |
| AX 9 | 3950 | Classic 3950 | 150 | 1280 |
| AX 10 | 4500 | Classic 4500 | 160 | 1460 |
| AX 10 | 5000 | Classic 5000 | 170 | 1730 |
| AX 10 | 5500 | Classic 5500 |
180 | 1900 |
| AX 10 | 5950 | Classic 5950 | 190 | 2060 |
| AX 11 | 6500 | Classic 6500 | 210 | 2250 |
| AX 11 | 7000 | Classic 7000 | 220 | 2430 |
| AX 11 | 7750 | Classic 7750 | 230 | 2700 |
| AX 11 | 8500 | Classic 8500 | 250 | 2950 |
| AX 12 | 9250 | Classic 9250 | 260 | 3200 |
| AX 12 | 10000 | Classic 10000 | 270 | 3460 |
«Sport» models
The model is intended for sport flights. For the purposes of sport the air balloon occupancy must be 1 or 2 people. But very often we found ourselves in situations when participate in sport events together with our sponsors who are also eager to fly , so we are happy to offer «Sport» envelope models having capacity 2550m3 and 3000m3
|
Capacity (м3) |
Name |
Mass (kg) |
Limit take-off mass (kg)
|
| 1550 | Спорт 1550 | 90 | 510 |
| 1800 | Спорт 1800 | 100 | 580 |
| 2150 | Спорт 2150 | 110 | 700 |
| 2550 | Спорт 2550 | 120 | 830 |
| 3000 | Спорт 3000 | 130 | 975 |
«Vintage» models
The model suits for private purposes and flights with friends. It is also possible to apply promotional ads on this envelope model. The model is a little bit cheaper compared to «Classic» models. It can be used for commercial flights, provided its capacity is over 3000 m3. The number of gores in «Vintage» models is 12.
|
Class FAI |
Capacity (м3) |
Name |
Mass (kg) |
Limit take-off mass (kg) |
|
AX 5 |
950 |
Vintage 950 | 60 | 310 |
| AX 6 | 1300 | Vintage 1300 | 70 | 420 |
| AX 6 | 1550 | Vintage 1550 | 80 | 510 |
| AX 7 | 1800 | Vintage 1800 | 90 | 580 |
| AX 7 | 2150 | Vintage 2150 | 100 | 700 |
| AX 8 | 2550 | Vintage 2550 | 110 | 830 |
| AX 8 | 3000 | Vintage 3000 | 120 | 975 |
| AX 9 | 3500 | Vintage 3500 |
140 | 1140 |
| AX 9 | 3950 | Vintage 3950 | 150 | 1280 |
«Romantic» models
Heart-shaped envelope models. The main purpose of the air balloons with such envelopes –entertainment flights and flights on special occasions.
|
Capacity (м3) |
Name |
Mass (kg) |
Limit take-off mass (kg) |
| 2150 | Romantic 2150 | 130 | 700 |
| 2550 | Romantic 2550 | 140 | 830 |
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Classic
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Vintage
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Sport
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Romantic
Envelopes of special shape
Envelopes can be of any shape; it allows our specialists to create a gigantic flying promotion. Air balloons with such envelopes are usually intended for 2 or maximum 3 people. Such envelopes always possess a bigger mass, compared to standard ones. These air balloons are more dependent on weather condition limitations; the permissible wind speed is usually 4 m/s.
A hot air balloon with an envelope of special type is an aircraft, so it must pass all the required kinds of test to prove its airworthiness and safety. It usually takes 4…6 months to manufacture an air balloon with an envelope of a special shape.
We will be happy to bring any of your fancy ideas to life.
Envelope structure
The envelope always has the following elements included:
• proper envelope with the following items installed: a deflation valve, a temperature streamer, a skirt and a mouth made of a fireproof material and 4 or 8 steel carabiners (depending on the envelope capacity)
• packing bag
• repair kit
• certificate.
Other options may be included upon the customer’s request.
Envelope options
Additional envelope
Air balloons AT104 series may have several components of the same name included into their complete set, such as an envelope, a basket or a burner. But the air balloon in this case is registered as one single aircraft. To have two or three envelopes is very convenient. The «Classic» envelope is suited for flight for pleasure or commercial flights alongside with the «Sport» envelope which allows participating in competitions.
The customer is free to decide whether to include the additional envelope into the initial production order for the air balloon or to order it later.
Application of text, logo and images
The design of the envelope may be based only on the choice of the color set of the fabric, but the balloon envelope becomes more recognizable if it has a text or images on it.
SPE «RUSBAL» uses the following two methods for making it:
- applique work
- full-color printing on the envelope fabric
In case of applique work the fabric of another color or the fabric with full-color printing is attached to the basic envelope fabric.
In case of full color printing the image is printed on a white-color fabric which is later used for envelope manufacturing.
Set of colors
The SPE «RUSBAL» staff does its best to offer over 25 shades of main fabric and 6 shades of fire-proof fabric from the company stock. The customer may either design the envelope by himself or apply to SPE «RUSBAL» for it.
3D applique work
As an alternative to special-shaped envelopes there is a standard envelope with volume elements. Under certain conditions, connected with the dimensions of these elements, it does not take much time or effort to introduce changes into the Type Certificate. The envelopes with 3D applique work have the same flight performance as the standard ones.
Transparent panels in the deflation valve
When participating in aeronautical events it is important to observe a safe separation between the flying air balloons. The transparent deflation valve makes it possible to observe the upper hemisphere and to avoid hazardous proximity.
Quick release system
During landing it is very important that the air could be released from the envelope as fast as possible. For that purpose QRS (Quick release system) has been developed, making possible to open the release hole completely with a slight travel of the control line. QRS (Quick release system) is analogic to SMART VENT manufactured by KAVANAGH BALLOONS Pty. Ltd, Australian patent № 656118, European patent № 0671322.
For envelopes with capacity of up to 3950м3 the QRS is an option. For envelopes of capacity of 3950m3 and bigger it is integrated into the envelope.
Turning vents
The envelope may also integrate turning vents, making possible for the air ball to rotate round its vertical axis which is important for performing commercial flights and the correct orientation of the air balloon during landing. Turning vents are obligatory for envelopes having capacity starting from 3500 m3.
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Valve closed
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Valve open
Nationality registration plate
Upon customer’s request SPE «RUSBAL» attaches the registration plate by sewing them on to the envelope, but when changing the state of registration the plates are supposed to be ripped off and be replaced by new ones. If the registration number is unknown for that moment or expected to be changed, special attachment loops are stitched at the location of identification plate on the envelope, and a piece of fabric with a registration number on it gets attached to it.
Advertising banner
The envelopes without advertisement inclusions have an advertisement belt – loops located in the equator area. The belt makes it possible to attach the advertising banners. The advertising banners are made for exact envelope models; they fit perfectly and can be ordered both together with the air balloon and later, when operating it.
