Ultramagic facts for kids

An Ultramagic N-355 hot air balloon. It can hold 10,000 cubic meters of air and carry up to 20 people!

Ultramagic is a company that builds hot air balloons. They are located in Catalonia, Spain, near Barcelona. Ultramagic is the only hot air balloon maker in Spain. It is also the second largest in the whole world!

The company makes between 80 and 120 balloons every year. About 80% of these balloons are sent to countries all over the world. You can find Ultramagic balloons in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Japan. They can build very large balloons, like the N-500, which can carry up to 27 people in its basket. Ultramagic also creates many balloons with special shapes. They even make cold air inflatables, which are like giant bouncy castles or advertising figures.

Ultramagic helps organize the European Balloon Festival. This is the biggest hot air balloon festival in Spain and Southern Europe. It happens every July in Igualada, where the company is based. The festival has exciting competitions, amazing displays, and a beautiful night glow where balloons light up like giant lanterns. About 60 balloon pilots from many countries, like Israel, India, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina, come to this festival.

History of Ultramagic Balloons

A special-shaped Ultramagic balloon, sponsored by Movistar.

An Ultramagic N-180 balloon with a unique shape, registered in the Netherlands.

The story of Ultramagic began in 1978. Three friends, Josep Maria Lladó, Joan Comellas, and Jaume Llansana, loved flying hot air balloons. They started with a used balloon. Soon, they wanted a bigger one for a long trip to Africa. Since they didn't have enough money to buy a new one, they decided to build their own. They named it "Tramuntana."

In 1980, they went on an amazing 11-month journey across Africa. They flew their balloon 40 times, starting in Zanzibar. They traveled through Tanzania, Ruanda, and part of Zaire, ending in Kisangani (which is now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

After their adventure, they decided to design a very light aircraft called an ultralight. They created the company Ultramagic SA with Josep Maria's brother, Carles Lladó. However, making ultralights was very complicated and expensive. It also required importing many parts. They realized that making hot air balloons was a better idea. They already had experience building balloons and still had their sewing machines. So, Ultramagic Ultralights became Ultramagic Balloons.

In 1993, the company started a new part of their business: making cold air inflatables. They have made over 4,000 of these fun inflatables since then, with about 500 produced each year.

In 2006, Ultramagic sold a huge N-355 balloon to Virgin Balloon Flights. This is the biggest company in the UK that carries passengers in balloons. This giant balloon could hold 355,000 cubic feet (10,000 cubic meters) of air. Its basket could carry up to 16 passengers!

In 2009, Ultramagic made the first official flight of the "Ecomagic." This was an eco-friendly hot air balloon. It was designed to use much less fuel. Ultramagic worked with the School of Aeronautic Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin to create it. The Ecomagic balloon has a special double-layer fabric. This helps keep the hot air inside, so it uses less fuel. It can use less than half the fuel of a normal balloon, sometimes even as little as 30%!

In 2013, Ultramagic introduced the "Ultramagic Flightpack." This is a special tablet app for balloon pilots. It gives them all the information they need for a safe flight in one place.

Who Buys Ultramagic Balloons?

Ultramagic hot air balloons are bought by three main types of customers:

• Individuals: These are people who love flying balloons as a hobby. They often use their balloons to compete in races or fly at festivals.
• Professionals: These are pilots who use balloons for commercial flights. They might offer rides to tourists. Often, a company will sponsor their balloon, using it for advertising.
• Companies: Some companies buy balloons for tourist flights in famous places. You might see Ultramagic balloons flying over places like Turkey, California, Egypt, or Namibia.

Gallery of Models

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  Ultramagic M-77 (holds 2,200 cubic meters of air, for 3 or 4 people)

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  Ultramagic M-105 (holds 3,000 cubic meters, for 5 people), registered in the United States

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  Ultramagic M-120 (holds 3,400 cubic meters, for 5 or 6 people)

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  Ultramagic M-130 (holds 3,680 cubic meters, for 6 people), registered in Switzerland

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  Ultramagic N-180 (holds 5,100 cubic meters, for 9 people)

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  Ultramagic N-210 (holds 6,000 cubic meters, for 11 people)

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  Ultramagic N-210 (holds 6,000 cubic meters, for 11 people)

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  Ultramagic N-355 (holds 10,000 cubic meters, for 20 people)

See also

In Spanish: Ultramagic para niños

• Hot air balloon
• European Balloon Festival