History

Contemporary air balloons have been developed during the period following the Second World War; a development initiated by Ed Yost, the American inventor of the modern hot air balloon. All through the nineteenth century and after, gas balloons dominated the scene as they provided the best lift and autonomy, reliant on the technology of that period.

After the Montgolfier brothers, who gave their name to the first air balloon (lifted in 1783), we need to wait until 1960 to see the return of the hot air balloon. At the end of the fifties, Ed Yost projected a new model of balloon using new material; a special nylon fabric and high-performance propane engines. The prototype was named “Vulcoon” and its maiden flight was in 1960. Developed during the cold war by the American navy for military purposes, it spawned a new sport. Two years later the inventor himself held the first-ever air balloon competition in Minnesota.

Very soon the passion for ballooning passed from the USA to England. Don Cameron, an engineer, gave birth to an industry that even today represents excellence in the aerostatic field.
At the beginning of the seventies ballooning came also to Italy with Franco Segre as one of the pioneers. He was the only Italian to take part in the first world championship in Albuquerque in 1973. But it was his tenacity that made him even more famous. At 70 years old, he was still able to balloon across Europe so as not to miss a balloon meeting.

... our history

Aerostati Firenze has its own history. It started on November 7th 1995, when the company’s founder, Massimo Stefanini, got his license and became the first balloon pilot in Florence. His teacher was Brian Jones who, along with his wife, had stayed with Stefanini for a month and a half. We are not talking about the Rolling Stones guitarist, but of a well-known character in the world of ballooning.

Along with Bertrand Piccard, Brian Jones played a leading role in a memorable journey destined to remain in aviation history forever. They were the first to balloon non-stop around the world. Under Jones’ initiative they departed from Switzerland onboard the Breitling Orbiter 3 and, after covering 25, 361 miles in 477, 47 hours, they landed in Egypt. An extraordinary enterprise remembered as the last big adventure of the last millennium.
Aerostati Firenze has continued to cultivate this passion for ballooning with more and more specialization, the involvement of more people, and a greater degree of networking. In the meantime we have also added to our professional qualifications. We have been granted a sports license from the International Air Federation and the Certificate of Radiotelegraphy for Civil Aircraft.

In fact, our experience and professionalism have matured considerably. We have taken part in numerous meetings and competitions including five National Championships, coming eighth in 2007. Today, we are members of: the British Balloon and Airship Club, the Italian Aerostatic Federation and the Aeroclub of Florence. We cooperate with leading related associations on a national and international scale.