Flight Instruments

Flytec Balloon 4

The Flytec Balloon 4 is the newest ballooning vario from Flytec.

Their goal was to develop a vario for you that is so easy to use, you won’t need a manual to operate it.

The Flytec Balloon was developed from the ground up, exclusively for ballooning, and is the most balloon-specific vario Flytec have ever built.

Note:

With the sale of FLytec to Volirium, a number of models are no longer in production. The popular Flytec Element Alto and Element Speed as well as earlier 6000 series models are no longer in production. Currently the Balloon 4 is showing as out of stock.

2025 Estimated Pricing: By quotation only.

~ €1550 for instrument only

~ € 315 for TT34 Temperature sensor

Allow for the exchange rate, freight from Europe and GST

Pricing

Pricing is available upon request. Current estimates are ~ €1550 for instrument only, ~ € 315 for TT34 Temperature sensor. Allow for freight and GST

Features

Main characteristics

Very easy to use
Robust and reliable
Very good sunlight readability
Optional back-light (Night Glow edition)
High precision for position and pressure measurement
Long battery life of about 35 hours with a full charge, batteries can be recharged

Functionality

Altitude (in m, ft, FL)
QNH
Climb / sink rate: graphic, numeric, configurable audio for both directions (in m/s and fpm)
Ground speed (“GPS speed”, in km/h and mph)
Course, on compass and in degree
Distance / direction to launch (distance in km and miles)
Envelope temperature from Flytec Balloon TT34 (in °C and °F)
Flight recording in Google Earth format, with key maximum / minimum values, and in IGC format
Rechargeable batteries (can be substituted with regular AA batteries if you forgot to charge)

Also good to know

One button press to adjust QNH
Built-in display protection, easy to replace by a repair center
Keyboard easy to replace by a repair center
Casing: improved from 6040, robust and nearly indestructible
Built-in safety lanyard
The positioning system (“GPS”) uses four different satellite systems for an unprecedented accuracy: GPS, Glonass, Galileo and BeiDou
Flight memory for over 10’000 hours, accessible directly via USB (comes up as a drive, no additional software required)
Easy software updates with built-in actualizer program (runs on Mac and Windows)
Battery charging through USB, any phone charger will work
2 years warranty on production defects
Our world-wide network of repair centers will still take care of your Flytec Balloon 4 once warranty has expired, or for cases not covered by warranty
In case of defects, all components can be replaced

Package content

Flytec Balloon 4
4x Battery Eneloop Pro 2500 mAh NiMh rechargeable
Fast global wall charger (EU / UK / US / AU)
Mounting clip with velcro attachment strap
Fabric bag
USB to Micro-USB cable
Quickstart guide

Envelope Temperature sensor

Envelope temperature sensor as standard

The Digitool DBI3 comes with a DBT3 envelope temperature sensor. This sensor is mounted on the outside of the balloon with the thermocouple fed though a sleeve to the inside of the balloon for accurate temperature sensing.

Data is transmitted over Bluetooth for a strong and reliable signal.

Advantages

The envelope temperature monitoring the pilot has more information about how the balloon is performing on the day and warnings if they are operating too close the limit.

While load charts are designed to manage variations in atmospheric conditions sometimes conditions change while in flight. An inversion can be stronger than expected or the passenger weights are not exactly as promised.

Envelope temperature monitoring will allow you adjust your flying in real time to protect your envelope fabric from overheating.

Modifications

The temp sensor sleeve is not standard on all balloons we manufacture but can be fitted at the factory or by an approved maintenance organisation. Have a talk to our sales team to discuss what is required.