IKEA Balloon

G-IKEA is a Cameron 120 and first flew on 3 July 2004 and apart from being a special shape, the IKEA balloon is unusual as it has twin parachutes, one for each side of the heart. When landing, they are both operated at the same time.

Pete Dalby, was the IKEA balloon pilot and said, “It is like any other balloon to fly, the main difference is in the descent. The IKEA balloon is not streamlined, making for a slow descent due to the air pressure underneath the box shape.” The box also makes it difficult to pack away the 120,000 cubic feet shape, as there is baffling in the corners to maintain the box shape, and this tends to hold the air. The corners have Velcro rip panels but the baffling limits their effect.

The IKEA balloon’s claim to fame is it was part of the first sky-high blindfolded tightrope walk! This took place at the Bristol International Balloon Festival in 2004 when fellow balloon pilot Mike Howard walked across a lightweight 19-foot aluminium bar between the IKEA balloon and the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB) balloon at 4,000 feet above the ground! The blindfold helped as Mike said “You can’t see how high up you are. I just try to imagine I am only three feet above the ground.”