Dexter company gives sneak peek of colorful hot air balloon
Every so often, folks driving through Dexter on their morning commute get the treat of seeing a sneak peek of the latest creation of Cameron Balloons.
This sunny Tuesday was one such morning as a colorful balloon, destined for a pilot in Washington state, was tested out.
Sales representative and pilot Paul Petrehn said the process of ordering and designing the balloon started last fall. When it's delivered, it will be used as a ride balloon.
At 140,000 cubic feet - or standing about 8 to 9 stories high when inflated - it is larger than the typical balloon, which is about 90,000 cubic feet, he said. It could hold up to six passengers, including the pilot, but will likely be used for only four passengers since it will be flying at a higher elevation.
Cameron Balloons in Dexter makes about 50 custom-made hot-air balloons a year. The small factory produces balloons from nearly start to finish - from hand-weaving the baskets to sewing together the colorful panels that create balloon envelopes that usually stand about 70 feet tall when inflated.
The company has made notable balloons, including some for the Super Bowl in 2008 and a hamburger for Burger King.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
stevo
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 4:44 p.m.
i used to work there and ended up flying them myself for 15 years. thanks for the video. stevo
Barb
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 3:34 p.m.
Ahm this is why I love working in the building behind Cameron Balloons... so fun watching as they test them out!
M.
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
When I was a kid, my parents would pull over so we could watch the balloon inflate. Years later, I got to do the same with my daughter (I believe it was the first time she'd seen a hot air balloon). Thanks for the memories. =D
Tina Reed
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
That fix was made. Thanks for pointing it out.
noreaster
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
I believe I heard the man say 140 THOUSAND cubic feet, not the 140 cubic feet in the story. Real easy to know 140 is wrong: 9 stories is about 90 feet tall, 140 cubic feet is about 1.5 square feet times 9 stories. The balloon opening is a LOT bigger than 1.5 square feet, so 140 cubic must be wrong. Can't lift much with 140 cubic feet of hot air....
uawisok
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
Maybe they would be willing to bring their colorfull balloon to A2 City Hall and get it filled at one of A2 City budget meetings....this was just too easy!!