Michigan-made hot air balloon is going for a world record

Madeline Beck and Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press
·3 min read

The largest hot air balloon of its kind in the United States, and the fifth largest in the world, was unveiled last month in Ann Arbor as a group of skydivers prepares to set a new world record for the highest HALO formation.

The skydiving mission, known as the Alpha 5 Project, showcases five skydivers as they jump from 35,000 feet in the stratosphere, attempting to link up for a certain amount in HALO formation before safely separating from one another and landing. The jump also doubles as a fundraiser event, with proceeds going toward the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to the families and children of fallen Special Operations personnel.

The hot air balloon, created by Cameron Balloons, based out of Dexter, and a long-standing manufacturing company in the industry, was made specifically for the skydiving mission, said Andrew Baird, owner of the business.

Cameron Balloons owner Andrew Baird, 59, of Chelsea, left, balloon pilot Shane Wallace, 40, of San Diego, California, and Alpha 5 jumper and project lead Brandon Daugherty, 39, of Melbourne, Florida, discuss where to place seating inside of the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023. In September, they plan to set the world record for the highest formation halo jump and raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. "It's an incredible accomplishment, but the project itself is a very personal thing because I've had many friends, unfortunately, who have been killed overseas," said Daugherty, who is a five-time combat veteran. "I've seen the direct benefit of a project like this, so whatever I can do to give back, that's my top priority."

"Projects like this are always about pushing the boundaries, in every sense of that word," said Baird. "For us, it was designing something in a fairly short space of time, and then building an aircraft to accomplish a specific mission for the Alpha 5 team. They're doing something that's never been done before, which is to do a HALO (high altitude, low opening) jump formation skydive from 35,000 feet, and that brings a whole bunch of complications. We designed a balloon specifically to accomplish this mission."

Baird, who often works with a smaller team of no more than 15 people, said bringing this project to life from the ground up was extremely exciting for himself and others.

Theresa Wollet, 56, of Jackson, a cutting and pinning seamstress, who ordered roughly 30,000 yards of material to create the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon, works at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Theresa Wollet, 56, of Jackson, a cutting and pinning seamstress, who ordered roughly 30,000 yards of material to create the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon, works at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023.

"To build something that is absolutely massive, 12 stories tall, and get to complete it and walk outside and look at your handiwork up close and see it for the first time it its completed form... that's very gratifying. We absolutely love working on projects like this," said Baird. "The fact that we can work on larger-than-life, very real, touching projects makes everything that we do worthwhile."

The hot air balloon reveal took place on Aug. 11 in Ann Arbor, and Baird said he's grateful to work with his current staff and partners.

Basket weaver Brittany Wollet, 23, of Jackson, organizes wicker to finish weaving a basket for the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023. Wollet said the project has taken her and her weaving partner Sabrina Ellis over a month to complete.
Basket weaver Brittany Wollet, 23, of Jackson, organizes wicker to finish weaving a basket for the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023. Wollet said the project has taken her and her weaving partner Sabrina Ellis over a month to complete.

"It has been amazing to work with a group of people whose hearts are definitely in the right place, who are great communicators and good at working together and accomplishing something that's never been done before," he said.

The Alpha 5 Project is scheduled to take place at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. The jump could occur anywhere between Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 depending on weather conditions and other restrictions.

During the mission, five jumpers, primarily military personnel, will attempt to set a new world record.

Alpha 5 Project team captain, Larry Connor, said he's proud of the project and what they hope to accomplish, all while raising awareness for a good cause.

Balloon pilot Shane Wallace, 40, of San Diego, California, left, Cameron Balloons owner Andrew Baird, 59, of Chelsea, and Alpha 5 jumper and project lead Brandon Daugherty, 39, of Melbourne, Florida, hold up part of the Alpha 5 Project hot air balloon, which took roughly 30,000 yards of material to create, at Cameron Balloons in Dexter on Friday, August 11, 2023. In September, they plan to set the world record for the highest formation halo jump and raise 1 million dollars for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“The Alpha 5 Project combines the challenge of setting a world record with the purpose of raising awareness for an incredible organization that honors the legacy of Special Operations Personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Nation,” said Connor. “I’m proud to be able to shine a light on these unsung heroes and the incredible technical expertise and dedication of the PJs and the Special Operations community. They are the best of the best.”

A representative from Guinness World Records will be present during the event to assess and validate the record-setting achievement.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan hot air balloon going for world record amid Alpha 5 project