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Hot air balloons in Kassel: The last of their kind?
Hot air balloons in Hofgeismar have become rarer. Uwe Orth talks about the decline and future prospects.
Hot air balloons in Kassel: The last of their kind?
In the Kassel region, the sight of hot air balloons in the sky has become a rarity. Uwe Orth, an experienced aviation entrepreneur from Immenhausen, sheds light on this trend and confirms the decline in active balloons. While the aviation landscape looked completely different 15 to 20 years ago, there are significantly fewer hot air balloons on the road today. The boom of the 1990s, which led to larger balloons and baskets, now appears to be history. Orth emphasizes that clubs are no longer allowed to transport passengers, which further limits the number of balloon rides.
Although the demand for balloon rides continues, there is the problem of visibility. This means that fewer people are actively interested because they see the balloons less often. “There is simply a lack of young talent and training new pilots is very time-consuming,” explains Orth. This challenge has left him operating alone as a balloon ride provider in the region and plans to retire next year. In order to continue the tradition of balloon flights, a handover to a licensed successor would be necessary.
Challenges for the future
As for the operation of hot air balloons, they are only possible at certain times: in the morning after sunrise and in the evening before sunset. Orth has already completed one Alpine crossing during his career and has plans to take part in larger balloon festivals in Europe. "We mustn't lose sight of the developments. I don't think that hot air balloons will die out, rather I see potential for tours across Germany," explains the entrepreneur.
A hot air balloon with ten passengers weighs around 1,600 kilos and reaches speeds of between 8 and 25 km/h. The heights of 150 to 1000 meters, which are achieved by using 180 to 200 liters of propane gas per hour, are particularly impressive. The balloon envelope consists of around 1,600 square meters of fabric, divided into around 600 fabric pieces. This means that larger groups can also travel, which acts as a double-edged sword: on the one hand, these larger baskets enable the transport of more passengers, but on the other hand, they lead to a reduction in the total number of balloon rides.
The Thomsen balloon team – a new face on the scene
With such committed players in aviation, the scene could perhaps receive new impetus. It remains to be seen what the future of hot air balloon rides in Hesse will be like. Despite the challenges that the current trend brings with it, the fascination with flying balloons is still great.