25/02/2026
From a bet to the skies: Get to know Paolo Bonanno❗
For over two decades, Paolo has collaborated with Ultramagic, designing, developing, and perfecting parts of hot air balloons:
In 1980, without ever having seen one, Paolo built his first envelope, burner, basket and fan... and even taught himself to fly! 😮
His passion for flight, safety, power and innovation, shaped by years of working on electronics and radar in militar aviation, led him to Italian championships, international competitions, and experiences around the world. 🌍
What started as a hobby became his profession, and his burner production earned him worldwide recognition.
In 2009, he received a diploma from the FAI as a Safety Officer for the World Air Games. In 2013 he was awarded the FAI De Montgolfier diploma for major contribution to the development of the sport of ballooning. In 2014, he earned the BBAC diploma for engineerning and innovation. And finally, in 2019, he was honored by the FAI with induction into the World Hall of Fame. ⏳
Even now at 80+, he loves repairing all sorts of things, but above all, flying with his wife Nicole, meeting pilots worldwide and exchanging ideas to improve safety and technology in aerostatics. ♥
Paolo has shared with us 3 of his guiding principles: 🍀
- ''Choose the job you love, and you will never work a day in your life'' - Confucius
- ''Work as if you were to live 100 years and live as if every day was the last'' - Bocuse
- and from himself... ''Every problem has a solution''
We are grateful for his passion, his vision and his lifelong contribution to Ultramagic and the world of ballooning! 🙏
