MADE IN MONACO
« Les Aéronautes de Monaco » brings together two of Monaco’ s favourite preoccupations: sport and environmental conservation. Members of this unique club are used to literally having their heads in the clouds, as it is a club for hot air ballooning. The team has repeatedly taken part in many competitions and last year they took first place in the eco-friendly Balloon Concept Challenge. « Les Aéronautes de Monaco » does exciting and unusual air tours, including the club’ s most ambitious projects of taking off from the Red Square in Moscow. This year, together with their partner, Champagne Jeeper, they will fly the world’ s first eco hot air balloon.
Витать в облаках для них в буквальном смысле привычное дело. « Les Aéronautes de Monaco »— уникальный клуб, расположенный в Монако и специализирующийся на полетах на воздушном шаре. Команда клуба успела принять участие во многих соревнованиях, а в начале прошлого года заняла первое место в уникальной экогонке Balloon Concept Challenge. На счету пилотов « Les Aéronautes de Monaco » огромное количество самых захватывающих и необычных воздушных туров. Среди амбициозных планов на будущее— подъем на воздушном шаре с Красной площади в Москве. В этом году совместно с партнером, Champagne Jeeper, аэронавты из Монако запустят в небо первый в мире экологичный воздушный шар.
The founder of the club, Alain Cruteanschii, is well established in the industry and knows the secrets of aeronautics like no other. He is taking the future on, not only minding the success of his company, but also minding the planet. In January, the club presented a new and innovative project in Monaco: an ecofriendly hot air balloon, a true revelation for balloon aeronautics. The new technology consumes 70 % less energy and allows the balloon to stay in the air for up to 10 hours— three times the traditional flight time. Here, Alain shares the history of the club and his passion for aeronautics in this exclusive interview for HelloMonaco.
HelloMonaco: How did you come up with the idea of creating « Les Aéronautes de Monaco » and why did you choose Monaco? Alain Cruteanschii: I started with aeronautics back in the 1990s in the Loire castle area. When I moved to Monaco twenty years ago, I found that there was no such club here. That’ s when I decided to become a « pioneer » in the Principality. I was a pilot then and doing skydiving. Hence my passion for balloons which are very difficult to manage. For me, aeronautics is not a sport, it’ s an art— the art of understanding nature. We only fly in perfect weather conditions, and each time we have to wait and be patient— it is up to the weather if the balloon is to fly or not.
HM: What makes the Monaco club special? AC: « Les Aéronautes de Monaco » is a small club that I founded in 2000. Eight years later, SBM became our sponsor. We are now joined with Jeeper champagne producer who our ecofriendly balloon is named after. This partnership is very logical since our goal is to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Jeeper is following the same philosophy.
HM: Does this sport have any risks and limitations? AC: Just like with airplanes, we must take into account air traffic regulations. The balloon is subject to the same « standards » as airplanes. Jeeper can reach a height of 10,000 metres, where temperatures are – 50 ° C. That’ s when we must wear special frost-resistant suits and oxygen masks.
HM: Can children do aeronautics? If so, what is an acceptable starting age? AC: You need to be at least 17 years old in order to start hot air ballooning. A preparatory course takes about a year and costs a minimum of € 4,000. Our instructor, Frederic, is doing the training sessions around Serre-Ponçon lake.
HM: What was the most exciting journey? AC: I enjoy every flight, they are all exciting in their own way.
HM: And the most dangerous one? AC: We do not make dangerous journeys. If there is a minimum risk, we stay on the
It is necessary to be aware that a man would always loose in a struggle against the elements.
Hello Monaco Spring – Summer 2018 / 117