Avian Balloon Company was founded by Forey Walter in 1974. We claim the distinction of being the oldest balloon manufacturing company in the United States which still has its original name and management.

Avian manufactures six different models under it's four FAA Type Certificates. Envelopes range from 42,000 to 158,500 cubic feet in volume. All envelopes come standard with our heavy duty 1.9 oz./yd. double ripstop nylon that is finished with a coating of urethane. All envelopes are of the horizontal cut and are offered in 16, 20, 24, or 28 gores depending on their volume. We also offer as an option our Rhino-Tough Tear fabric. This material is virtually untearable and comes with its own extended warranty. All envelopes come with our double pulley parachute deflation port design for easy operation.

High performance burners and simplicity in their design has always been our trademark. From our superior fuel flow "Ball" blast valve, to our blowout proof pilot lights, we've kept up to date in burner performance while actually eliminating burner parts. As burner technology advanced so did our burners. But where others added items to their burners we eliminated parts and made our burners quieter. For instance the "Ball" valve design which we use for both our blast and pilot light valves have only two moving parts making them the most trouble free burners available on the market today.

All Avian baskets are crafted from only the highest quality rattan. The rattan is natural and is woven vertically. This is a more time consuming and expensive way to weave, but this design has proven to be far superior than conventional horizontal designs. The vertical weave allows the basket less resistance with the ground in drag landings and has traditionally sustained less damage. The vertical weave also enables the step to become an integral part of the basket, and not an after thought which can be seen on horizontal basket designs. All baskets are trimmed in suede leather on the handrail and burner supports, while the step and bottom are covered in rawhide leather. Wood skid plates cover the outer perimeter of the basket and all inner support cables. This adds extra strength to the basket bottom and makes it almost indestructible.

Our four display DT-34B digital instrument finishes off our balloon system. This instrument features an altimeter, variometer, envelope temperature (with ambient & delta temperature function), and flight timer (with total time and stopwatch capabilities).

This last year we have added a 28 gore 158,500 cu. ft. envelope which goes over our Magnum IX basket and gives the added volume for our people that operate at high altitudes during the summer. Later this year we will also be flight testing our newest model which is a 200,000 cu. ft. 32 gore envelope with a 4' 10" by 7' 6" basket. This basket had 4 compartments along with a pilot compartment located in the middle of the basket right under the burners. This model will also have standard a four burner system along with 3 vertical 20 gal. S.S. tanks. The most interesting aspect of our new design is the use of a basket inside of a basket. The pilot compartment is really a basket that is installed inside of the outer basket. This feature makes the overall design superior to existing designs by housing the fuel tanks in their own basket. The inner basket is also attached to the outer basket at the handrail giving the handrail additional strength. To complete the basket we have woven two steps per passenger compartment, these steps are located at the ends of the basket and allow easy access for all passengers getting in or out of the basket.