Ultramagic facts for kids

An Ultramagic N-355 hot air balloon, which is very large and can carry up to 20 people. It's sponsored by Warsteiner.

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

The company builds about 80 to 120 balloons every year. Most of these balloons, about 80%, are sent to other countries. You can find Ultramagic balloons flying in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Japan. They can even make giant balloons, like the N-500, which can hold up to 27 people in its basket! Ultramagic also creates many balloons with special shapes. They even make large, cold air inflatables for fun events.

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. The festival has exciting competitions, cool exhibitions, and a special "night glow." During the night glow, balloons light up like giant lanterns in the dark. Around 60 balloon pilots from many countries come to this festival.

How Ultramagic Started

A special-shaped Ultramagic balloon, sponsored by Movistar.

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

Ultramagic began in 1978. Three friends, Josep Maria Lladó, Joan Comellas, and Jaume Llansana, loved flying hot air balloons. They had an old balloon, but they wanted a bigger one for a long adventure. Since they didn't have enough money to buy a new one, they decided to build their own!

They named their new balloon "Tramuntana." In 1980, they went on an amazing 11-month journey across Africa. They flew 40 times, starting in Zanzibar and traveling through Tanzania, Rwanda, and part of Zaire. Their adventure ended in Kisangani, which is now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After their big trip, they wanted to design a light aircraft. So, they started a company called Ultramagic SA with Josep Maria's brother, Carles Lladó. They soon realized that making aircraft was very complicated and expensive. But they already knew how to make balloons and had the right sewing machines. So, they decided to focus on making hot air balloons instead.

New Products and Eco-Friendly Balloons

In 1993, Ultramagic started a new part of their company that makes cold air inflatables. These are like giant bouncy structures or advertising shapes. They have made over 4,000 of these since then, and they produce about 500 every year.

In 2006, Ultramagic sold a huge N-355 balloon to Virgin Balloon Flights. This company is the biggest passenger balloon company in the UK. This large balloon could carry a basket with up to 16 passengers.

In 2009, Ultramagic made the first official flight of their "Ecomagic" balloon. This is a special eco-friendly hot air balloon. It uses much less fuel than a regular balloon. The Ecomagic balloon has a double layer of fabric. This helps keep the hot air inside better, so it needs less fuel and can fly longer. It uses less than half the fuel of a standard balloon, sometimes even as little as 30%!

In 2013, Ultramagic introduced the "Ultramagic Flightpack." This is a special tablet app that gives balloon pilots all the information they need for their flights in one easy place.

Who Buys Ultramagic Balloons?

Ultramagic makes hot air balloons for three main types of customers:

• Individuals: These are people who love flying balloons as a hobby. They use them to join competitions or festivals.
• Professionals: These are people who use balloons for commercial flights. They often have a sponsor who helps pay for the balloon.
• Companies: These businesses use balloons to offer tourist flights. You can find their balloons flying in beautiful places like Turkey, California, Egypt, and Namibia.

Gallery of Models

• 

  Ultramagic M-77 (This balloon is for 3 or 4 people.)

• 

  Ultramagic M-105 (This balloon is for 5 people and is registered in the United States.)

• 

  Ultramagic M-120 (This balloon can carry 5 or 6 people.)

• 

  Ultramagic M-130 (This balloon is for 6 people and is registered in Switzerland.)

• 

  Ultramagic N-180 (This balloon can carry 9 people.)

• 

  Ultramagic N-210 (This balloon is for 11 people.)

• 

  Ultramagic N-210 (Another N-210, also for 11 people.)

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  Ultramagic N-355 (This very large balloon can carry up to 20 people.)

See also

In Spanish: Ultramagic para niños

• Hot air balloon
• European Balloon Festival