Who We Are
La Magie de l’Air offers adventurers from all walks of life the opportunity to fly with the birds and be carried by the wind over the Quebec landscape in a hot air balloon. We also offer a range of professional services, including balloon maintenance, repair and purchase, and flight school.
9 Fun Facts about La Magie de l’Air
From Humble Beginnings to Great Heights
2010 |
La Magie de l’Air is created by Éric Hamel, a young, passionate hot air balloon pilot. |
April 2012 |
Two other pilots, Patrick Cloutier and Martin Isabelle, join with him. After a few meetings and discussions, they decide to forge ahead with their dream: sharing their passion for hot air balloons with the people everywhere. They incorporate a company and La Magie de l’Air Inc. is born. The team is joined by Chantal Brodeur and Sonia Bossé. |
August 2012 |
La Magie de l’Air becomes the second-largest hot air balloon company in Quebec. Thanks to its varied expertise in the world of ballooning and its very high fuel-efficiency standards, the company quickly forges a reputation for excellence. The company negotiates the startup challenge of coming together as an organization and meeting with success. |
January 2013 |
Serge Guillette, a pilot since 1993 who shares the team’s vision, passion, and dream, joins La Magie de l’Air. |
May 2013 |
La Magie de l’air acquires Eol’Air. With this transaction, the company now holds an enviable position in the balloon tourism industry in Quebec. The acquisition allows the young company to diversify by adding a marketing component, and a new position in business development is created. |
Our Hot Air Balloons
Farmers Are Key
While airplane pilots can manoeuvre their aircraft as they please, balloon pilots must vary their altitude to find a wind that pushes them in the desired direction. So, while balloon pilots always know where they’re taking off from, they rarely know precisely where they’re going to land.
Canadian aviation regulations also prohibit balloons from landing in built-up areas except in emergencies.
Although there are many places where it is possible to land (some you’d never guess!), the ideal location remains a field. It’s therefore essential for pilots to maintain good relations with local farmers.
Respecting farmland is a sine qua non of the wonderful sport of ballooning. Balloon pilots and chase crews must thus also be familiar with the various field crops.
On landing, the chase crew’s mission is to find the owners of the field in question and ask them if they’re okay with the balloon landing on their property. If, for some reason, the owners feel that the landing location is inappropriate, the pilot will raise the balloon again and land elsewhere, as long as it’s safe to do so.
The pilots and their crews make every effort to avoid damage and inconvenience. To this end, only the official chase crew vehicle is allowed on the field, and instructions or any specific requests from the owners are strictly followed.
If you’ve welcomed us on your land and would like to arrange a hot air balloon ride for yourself, your family, or your employees, it’s on the house from us to you as a special thank you (some restrictions apply).
We’d like to thank all the Montérégie farmers for their warm welcome and generosity!
A Word from our Partners
Bérard Tremblay arpenteurs-géomètres
Not only is a balloon flight an incomparable experience thanks to the beauty of our region, the pilot’s extensive knowledge makes it enriching as well. Our good name could not be in better hands.
Have a great season!
The Bérard Tremblay Team
Tourisme Montérégie
Thank you to La Magie de l’Air, and may we continue to collaborate for years to come.
Mario Leblanc
Executive Director, Tourisme Montérégie