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