As a bit of a baloonatic, I really enjoyed reading this MSN article about a 560,000 cubic foot balloon (envelope) that, along with the basket and equipment, was recently built to take skydivers to FL350 to jump over New Mexico. It is currently the largest in the USA.

The biggest hot air balloon in the US was built to carry skydivers
 https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-biggest-hot-air-balloon-in-the-us-was-built-to-carry-skydivers/ar-AA1gLPYd

While I am more of a FireFly Balloons fan, Cameron Ballons makes a pretty nice product and has led the industry in large baskets and large envelopes. About a decade ago, Cameron was building the Z-600, a 600,000 cubic foot envelope for flight over in the EU and recently certified the Z-750 for Groupon in 2022.
https://cameronballoons.com
https://www.cameronfrance.com/wp-conten ... s10-12.pdf
https://www.cameronballoons.co.uk/news/ ... ir-balloon

That's amazing. I jumped out of a balloon in Eloy, Arizona which had a gondola large enough for 12 parachutists and I thought that one was huge. I left at around 5,500 ft. for about a 20 second delay.

Dan

I have been a student in a balloon that had a jumper go out. The balloon soars into the sky. It’s all relative but the feeling is pretty neat. It’s a good physics lesson.

Thanks for sharing your story! Pictures or video are always welcome!

"While I am more of a FireFly Ballons fan....."

Somehow, a balloon brand named FireFly wouldn't instill confidence in me as a prospective passenger.

Unfortunately, this was before I had any digital cameras and the video I had taken is lost somewhere. We were the first to exit so I didn't get a chance to experience the upward thrust you are describing. We ascended very early in the morning for cool air and minimum winds.

The really cool thing was we were on our own as to where to land. We found a nice smooth spot where there were plans to eventually place mobile homes, very level and without any obstructions. The chase van was following us perfectly and when we touched down, he was right there to pick us up.

Unusual to be aloft with NO sounds at all except a burn every now and then. Very different from the drone of aircraft engines and the associated wind in the face on exit.

A great experience!

Dan