Summary
Kubicek Balloons (in Czech Balóny Kubíček (pronounced Koo-bee-check), the complete official name BALÓNY KUBÍČEK spol. s r.o.) is a Czech manufacturer of hot-air balloons and airships, the sole such manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the largest in the world. From its factory in Brno the company ships its products worldwide.
 | |
| Company type | Limited |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aircraft industry |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Aleš Kubíček |
| Headquarters | Brno, Czech Republic |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Hot-air balloons |
| Owner | Aleš Kubíček |
Number of employees | 30 |
| Website | kubicekballoons.eu |
History edit
BALÓNY KUBÍČEK was founded in 1989[1] by Aleš Kubíček, the designer of first modern Czech hot-air balloon, made in 1983 in Aviatik club in Brno. Before founding his own company Aleš Kubíček made several balloons under wings of the company Aerotechnik Kunovice. Immediately after the Velvet Revolution he started his own private company to manufacture lighter-than-air aircraft.
Today edit
Kubicek Balloons is a limited company, mostly owned by the founder Aleš Kubíček. Its headquarters is on Francouzská 81 in Brno city centre, where balloons were originally made. But in 2005 their production moved to a completely new factory facility in Jarní 2a in Brno-Maloměřice, currently the most modern balloon factory in the World. The company has 30 employees (in 2008) and produces circa 90 balloons per year, making it the world's 3rd largest manufacturer of hot air balloons.
As well as producing standard balloon envelopes in 47 types and sizes they also build baskets, burners and a plenty of man carrying specially shaped balloons for advertising purposes e.g. 38-metre tall flying bear, sea container DHL, Abbey of Saint Gall and the green heart of Styria.
Kubicek Balloons holds quality certificates for design, production and maintenance meeting European standards of EASA and was it amongst the first hot-air balloon manufacturers to hold a European type certificate for hot-air balloons.
Kubicek balloons is the only European producer who uses the unique high-tenacity polyester balloon fabric for envelopes, and it is all manufactured 'in house' by its sister-company Textil Kubíček in Černá Hora near Brno.
| 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 23 | 12 | 14 | 34 | 42 | 48 | 52 | 68 | 77 | 89 | 90* |
* forecast
Large inflatable structures edit
The company has also produced large inflatables for a variety of purposes under the name Kubicek Visionair for artists, companies and organisations around the world, including inflatable Moons and large inflatable structures for events and other applications.[2]
Fixed-wing aircraft edit
The company also produces the Kubicek M-2 Scout ultralight and light-sport aircraft, under the name Kubicek Aircraft.[3]
In 2015 the all-metal Kubicek M-4 Irbis first flew, it is a two-seat, high-wing single-engined aircraft.[4]
References edit
- ^ "On Our Own". Kubicek Baloons. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ Kubicek Balloons UK: Leonardslee illuminated 2021 Moon inflatable built by Kubicek UK Kubicek website article dated 23/12/2021
- ^ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al.: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 62. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Simpson, Rod; Longley, Peter; Swan, Robert:The General Aviation Handbook", page 167, Air-Britain, Tonbridge UK, 2022, ISBN 978-8-85130-562-2
External links edit
- Official website
- Official inflatable website
49°12′52.88″N 16°39′32.86″E / 49.2146889°N 16.6591278°E