Chief Pilot’s 50th Balloon Flight.

50th Successful Balloon Payload Recovery

Our Sunday March 27th 2022 Flight was the 50th flight for our Chief Pilot, Robert Brand. Designated UpLift 50. It was a ground breaking flight, demonstrating several new technologies and new tracking systems. Robert and his team have a world record of never losing a payload. Having flown payloads for advertising and Defence it is essential that everything runs smoothly or at least is backed up sufficiently that mission goals are met. This flight had two primary goals:

• Keep the payload stable and pointing in a single direction to allow sensor technology to hold track of a target.
• land softly.

General Payload Components

The payload carried multiple parachutes, multiple trackers, stabilising fins to keep sensor technology stable with twin systems for mechatronic operations. It also carried a Insta360 X1 camera that produces the stunning all round photos that also make the connection to the payload invisible. Add to that a fully equipped flight computer and telemetry systems to name a few items.

Trackers

The trackers included a fully gimballed spot satellite tracker, An amateur radio (HAM) tracker carried for a free ride on behalf of Tim Holloway – VK2ZTM-11 and our Ardupilot tracking on 900MHz for our flight computer and Black Box. I should not forget the additional batteries required to operate all the equipment including the fin servos.

All of this had to be kept under 3Kg. The maximum mass for a light balloon is 4Kg, but only 3Kg in any one part of the payload. given that out test required only one package, the payload mass was restricted to 3Kg. This was a test flight and we managed to prove the technology without having to carry a sensor package. That will require a heavy balloon. Our basic systems will weigh about 4.5Kg.We work with our civil aviation regulator for permission to fly a heavy payload. Below is the recovered Payload. It landed gently in one piece.

All legs and other poles were undamaged. A short video of the Insta360 camera will be posted in the future.

Bundaberg Ginger Beer

For nearly 11 years we have been toasting our recovery of our payloads with Bundaberg Ginger Beer. It is now a tradition. The Internet is full of our balloon recoveries with Bundaberg Ginger Beer. We don’t intend to stop. These days we even refrigerate it before consumption. As the temperature is usually pretty hot it is a welcome part of our flights.