Finland #3 - Man from the sky

Height of sky and depths of sea have always mesmerized humans.

Everyone tries to dig deeper or leap higher in his own ways.

I met a man in Finland who literally leaps into the skies along with 16-17 other people.

With no tools for navigation, travelling solely on the experiences and hunches, and returns everyone safely absolutely every time. I am talking about Mr. Hartman from ‘Aerohot Hot Air Balloons’, 

One of the coolest people I have ever met. 

By a sheer chance I came across Hot air balloon rides and went for one myself. And it was one of the best experiences by all means.

Just like the flight, Mr. Hartmann’s story is as astonishing.

Born in Innsubruk Austria, the first profession he went into was cooking!

As he describes, the education he received was in the form of 11 months of hard work in a hotel and 1 month of theories. Soon enough Hartman started up as a chef. I am certain that he must have been a very good chef. 

In Sweden, he first met a ‘blue blooded fatherly figure in ballooning’, as he quotes it, Mr K.G Silverstolpe. He got introduction and hands on experience with this man. But there was still some time for his own leaps. 

Still a full time chef, in the year 1985, he traveled by road to different countries for more than 9 months including to India and traveled much of its part.

Soon after disintegration of Russia, near 1988, there was a recession and hotel business took its toll. The winners turn obstacles into stepping stones and use them to jump higher. Hartmann did just the same! 

He acquired his flying license and used those turbulent times to learn and make foundations for future. Flying solo, he acquired enough hours of flight time, and by the time the economy gained strength, he was completely into flying balloons commercially.

Really, you never know where your life can take you. You just have to be on your toes and be prepared to grab the opportunity life throws at you.

Starting with a small balloon, he made it to having 4 balloons and pilots flying for him 

and mind you these things cost a fortune. But like any other sport, you get sponsors here as well if you are that famous. Well he had flying banners at his disposal that advertise themselves. Soon he collaborated with ‘Intersport’ Levi, Cramo and so on. The company finances entire balloon and in return they have a big logo of themselves on the balloon. What a way of advertising!

A little on working of balloons….

Idea behind balloon is to get hot air in and making it hot, so naturally it being lighter it goes upwards, along with the basket. There is no way to navigate the balloon and only the altitude can be controlled, by heating up the air. The flight completely depends on air currents and it flies in the direction and with the speed of the wind.

The day being sunny, there are hot air currents, making a flight almost impossible. It is always flown during sunrise or sunset. 

Initially, the wind speed and direction is checked. Too much or too less wind and you can’t fly a balloon. After perfect wind conditions are found, air is filled in the balloon and air is heated with propane gas. After the air is hot enough, the ropes binding it to the ground are released and the balloon gets airborne. Depending on the streams of the wind, balloon travels. As long as there is propane gas present and weather conditions are suitable, one can remain in the air.

Now comes the most difficult part, the landing! As navigation is not possible, landing completely depends on the skills of the balloonist. After area is decided, heating of the air is stopped. As the air temperature is decreased, balloon starts descending as the air is not lighter anymore. There is small parachute, which is a kind of an air valve, inside the balloon which plays a vital role. As desired altitude is reached, parachute is pulled down using a rope. As the air inside balloon decreases, balloon descends further and then a crash landing. 

With changing air currents, speed and temperature, it’s truly a challenge to fly and land the balloon in the desired area.

During my ballooning experience, we had a meeting point at Malmin airport. There after weather checks, they took us to a takeoff site, but there was too less wind and we had to cancel the flight. During the times when flights are cancelled, 99% times the reason is too much of wind!

Very next day, we reached a different take off site. This time everything was perfect and soon we were airborne.

Hartmann was consistently checking the maps and position and bringing balloon up and down to travel in the perfect air current.

It was the most beautiful sunset I have seen so far. As we were almost 2000 ft above the ground, it was a truly whole other level to experience the sunset from.

Endless vistas of trees, fields and rivers were laid down below us.

Going with the wind was truly an amazing experience.

After about 40-45 minutes, Hartmann decided a place to land. Landing generally takes place in big fields. As such gigantic structure surely needs lot of open space to land.

Soon we started descending and had a crash landing in the middle of nowhere!

After we wrapped up the gigantic balloon, it was time for some snacks and awarding a diploma in Ballooning!

We then returned back to Malmin airport marking an end to a truly one of a kind experience.

Apart from ballooning commercially, Hartman also participates in ballooning tournaments. He has more than 3000 flying hours under his belt.

When he is not flying, he sells chest nuts! Yet another perfect way to interact with people he says.

Without going to a business school, the ultimate teacher called ‘experience’ has taught him much more about people management, marketing, business and ultimately life.

He currently lives in a beautiful house that is more than 200 years old with wife and three children! It’s a prefect house I think with trees and backyard and piano and a fire place etc.

If you ever go to Finland, do fly with this guy once!

You can reach him at www.aerohot.fi

From the times when he had pilots working for him, now he is back to flying solo. As he quotes it ‘You have to decide how much money is important. Idea of life should not be to collect money. Life goes too fast. Don’t do anything to make money, in the end experiences is all you have left with.’

This man surely has reached a delicate work life balance.