Seniors in wheelchairs can now also take off

The traditional flight event of the Chlösterli Unterägeri retirement home will take place this year using a hot air balloon. The "Vista" balloon basket makes barrier-free ballooning possible.

Taking off, leaving your worries on the ground and looking at the world from a bird's eye view - many people dream of flying. But an excursion into the skies is not accessible to everyone, because, in particular on a balloon flight, passengers must be able to stand for a long period of time.

The ballooning dream therefore unfortunately remains unfulfilled for many. Paul Müller, manager of the Chlösterli retirement home, in Unterägeri, wants to make a barrier-free flight possible for the residents of the Chlösterli at the next flight event.

Regular take-offs
For 20 years, the Chlösterli in Unterägeri has cultivated the tradition of taking its residents up into the air. The flight history began with alpine and helicopter flights, until in 2017 an airship took off directly from the Chlösterli building. “The residents were always thrilled by the excursions”, says Paul Müller. He tries to make the experience possible for all interested parties on a regular basis.

"After the trip in the airship, we started looking for a new flight option," he adds. That's how he came up with the idea of a barrier-free balloon ride. "In order to be able to implement such a crazy idea, you need the right people," says the head of Chlösterli. Through another pilot, he came across the balloon pilot Stefan Wälchli, who has already spent over 3,000 hours in the wicker basket of a balloon. He was immediately enthusiastic about the idea and started looking for a suitable basket. The most important criteria were: easy entry, safe landing and being able to sit in the basket.

A luxury class balloon flight
According to Stefan Wälchli, a balloon basket may only be made and used by professionals. And there is no supplier In Switzerland for the corresponding material. That’s why the "Vista" balloon basket (translated from Spanish: view) is produced by the Catalan balloon builder Ultramagic in Spain.

"I have already bought more than ten balloons from this company, and they have my complete trust," says balloon pilot Stefan Wälchli. Ultramagic is the only supplier who makes a basket with integrated seats. As each basket is handmade and unique, production can keep several workers busy for more than three weeks.

The residents of the Chlösterli enjoyed a helicopter flight last year               Photo: Stefan Kaiser
The "Vista" balloon basket is finished and ready for use                   Picture: PD/ Zuger Zeitung

The wicker basket is equipped with four seats, each with a small table. The built-in doors allow easy access, so that passengers can be guided to the seats. Stefan Wälchli will continue to use the "Flying Sofa" after the Chlösterli flights, and will add this to the balloon flights he offers. Anyone who is interested can book this luxury flight with the balloon pilot.

Paul Müller, the head of the Chlösterli, is very pleased to finally be able to carry out the project this summer after long planning. "It's already enough for me if I can please just one person with this year's flight experience, it's definitely worth the work," he says.

Stefan Wälchli will be there for every flight, as balloon pilot, and a caregiver will also have a standing place on the flight to accompany the passengers. The flights are planned from the end of August, although the planning is not that easy, as the balloon can only take off in good weather. All the residents of the Chlösterli can register for this, says Paul Müller. He expects a lot of registrations.