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Stock Patterns

We now have 11 patterns to choose from!

These stock full-size hot air balloon patterns are completed and are ready for you to start your project.

Designed in 3D CAD, they have perfectly designed lofting, virtually eliminating unsightly vertical wrinkling inherent when using flat patterns.

Most patterns use the BARD profile.

About the BARD profile:

Compared to a natural shape balloon (aka 1962 Smalley profile), the BARD profile is optimised for fuel efficiency and easy flying in level flight (with a flatter top) and the mouth should remain tight and open in faster descents - since the profile is very slightly elongated and has straight sides in the bottom 1/3 of the balloon.

% loft is the maximum “puff out” between the load tapes on a vertical gore (refered to as “loft” – but also called bulbousness). The percentage is in relation to the diameter of the balloon at the equator. The lofting on all patterns tapers to zero loft at the mouth and at the parachute (for a good seal).

Patterns feature a first panel row of nomex.

Full size patterns need to be printed full-size on 60″ wide paper. Most sign shops can do this.

Patterns include:

  • Full size pattern for each panel of the balloon including seam allowances:
  • Side view diagram (in the patterns section below)
  • Layout view of all the panels, load tape locations, etc. This can also be used as a coloring sheet:

Overview page with measurements for all parts such as red line, crown line, parachute confluence lines, parachute centering lines, envelope flying wires, as well as fabric yardage, including nomex.

Once you have decided on a color scheme, we can also 3D render your balloon:

What’s not included?

  • Step-by-step instructions are not included, but these are available elsewhere – either on the xlta.org website or inside the Balloon Builder’s Journal. Sewing a balloon is not difficult, it’s just alot of pieces, and alot of sewing!
  • The cost of printing the physical paper patterns. We can print these for you for an additional fee, or we can also work with a US-based printing shop that can do this at a reasonable price, and they can ship the full size patterns to you – worldwide. Some of the patterns have already been printed by other builders and we can also arrange for you to cut your balloon from their copy of the paper patterns.
  • Building materials. You have to source your own materials, although we do stock alot of hard to find materials such as nomex, webbing and red line (kevlar-core with polyester jacket).

Completed Projects

To see what other builders have built using these patterns, visit the Project Gallery page.

Available Patterns:

BARD31 Pattern

  • 31,100 cu ft cloudhopper balloon envelope patterns.
  • BARD profile
  • 16 vertical gores
  • 6% loft (semi-bulbous)

BARD32 Pattern

  • 32,400 cu ft cloudhopper balloon envelope patterns.
  • BARD profile
  • 12 vertical gores
  • 3% loft
  • also available in a slightly scaled down BARD31M version (31,645 cu ft)

BARD42M Pattern

  • 41,700 cu ft balloon envelope patterns.
  • BARD profile
  • 12 vertical gores
  • 3% loft
  • “M” stands for “Max” size for AX-05

BARD54 Pattern

  • 54,000 cu ft balloon envelope patterns.
  • BARD profile
  • 16 vertical gores
  • 3% loft

BARD56M Pattern

  • 55,600 cu ft balloon envelope patterns.
  • BARD profile
  • 12 vertical gores
  • 3% loft
  • “M” stands for “Max” size for AX-06

BARD56H Pattern

  • 56,000 cu ft hot air balloon envelope patterns.
  • H stands for Hybrid
  • BARD Hybrid Profile (not a full racer, not a regular ballon, the best of both worlds).
  • 16 vertical gores
  • 5% loft (semi bulbous)
  • Turning Vents (optional)

BARD70v Pattern

  • 70,000 cu ft hot air balloon envelope patterns
  • V stands for V-Taper
  • BARD profile
  • 16 vertical gores
  • Top panels are identical
  • Bottom 7 panels, every 2nd gore, taper down to a V
  • Octagonal mouth with only 8 flying wires
  • Turning Vents (optional)
  • 3% loft

BARD77 Pattern

  • 77,000 cu ft hot air balloon envelope patterns
  • BARD profile
  • 16 vertical gores
  • 3% loft
  • Turning Vents (optional)
  • Diagonal cuts (optional)

BARD84B Pattern

  • 84,000 cu ft hot air balloon envelope patterns
  • B stands for Bulbous – a modern version of the classic “O84”
  • BARD profile
  • 12 vertical gores
  • 8% loft (bulbous)
  • Turning Vents not available on this model

BARD85H Pattern

  • 85,000 cu ft hot air balloon envelope patterns.
  • H stands for Hybrid
  • BARD Hybrid Profile (not a full racer, not a regular ballon, the best of both worlds).
  • 16 vertical gores
  • 1% loft
  • Turning Vents (optional)

All rights to the patterns always remain © Alain Bard.

There is a fee to be paid for permission to cut fabric for one (1) balloon from the patterns. Get in touch if you are interested in getting a copy!

Lastly, if any of these designs don’t quite fit the bill (if you wanted a different size, different # of gores, etc.), then we can definitely do a custom-design just for you. Most of the above patterns started their life as a custom pattern for others.