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Japanese ballooning leader Saburo “Sabu” Ichiyoshi and British pilot-engineer Julian Nott are the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s 2026 Balloon and Airship Hall of Fame inductees. Ichiyoshi is the living honoree; Nott, who died in 2019, is being recognized posthumously. Their careers show two distinct paths in ballooning: building the sport’s institutions and achievements in Japan, and using record flights to advance experimental engineering and science.
What the 2026 induction recognizes
The ceremony took place Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, the Hall of Fame’s current home. The Albuquerque Journal reported the event on October 3, and the museum’s listing confirms the date and venue. The ceremony was held on the eve of the Balloon Fiesta. Albuquerque Journal; Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.
The FAI Hall of Fame recognizes significant contributions to aerostation across business, history, design, engineering, ballooning and airships—not only competitive flying. Its selection committee includes the Ballooning Commission president, elected delegates and museum representatives. It normally chooses one living and one posthumous inductee each year from nominations submitted by FAI members and commission delegates. FAI: 2026 Hall of Fame inductees; FAI Balloon and Airship Hall of Fame.
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Born in Tokyo in 1946, Ichiyoshi earned his gas balloon pilot license in Augsburg, Germany, in 1972. His flying milestones and leadership helped establish modern ballooning in Japan.
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- In 1976, he became the first Japanese pilot to complete a solo hot air balloon flight over Mount Fuji.
- In September 1994, he led a five-person crew on the first successful hot air balloon crossing from Pusan, South Korea, to Yamaguchi, Japan: 201 kilometers in 4 hours and 12 minutes, according to the FAI’s 2026 account.
- He chaired Japan’s Balloon Federation from 1982 to 1985 and represented Japan in the FAI Ballooning Commission.
- The FAI credits him with multiple national records and an AX-10 duration record of 41 hours and 29 minutes.
His recognition therefore reflects both flights and institution-building: Ichiyoshi helped create a framework for Japanese ballooning while pushing its pilots’ achievements forward. FAI, 2026.
Julian Nott: records, engineering and science
British-born Julian Nott, who died in 2019, was an accomplished record-setting pilot and an experimental designer. The FAI’s 2026 announcement credits him with 79 world ballooning records and 96 British records, spanning altitude, distance and duration.
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In 1980, Nott designed, built and piloted Innovation, a pressurized hot air balloon that reached 55,134 feet. He later built and flew a balloon over Peru’s Nazca Plains to explore whether the geoglyphs could have been viewed from the air. His subsequent work included high-altitude balloon projects with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as advising Google’s Project Loon. FAI, 2026.
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Nott’s longtime partner, Anne Luther, said he regarded science and innovation—not fame, fortune, awards or records—as his central objectives. She described records as proof of the success of that work. FAI, 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Two careers, different contributions
| Honoree | Contribution emphasized | Defining milestones cited by the FAI |
|---|---|---|
| Saburo “Sabu” Ichiyoshi | Japanese ballooning leadership and landmark flights | First solo hot air balloon flight over Mount Fuji by a Japanese pilot; 1994 South Korea–Japan crossing; AX-10 duration record of 41 hours and 29 minutes |
| Julian Nott | Record-setting piloting, experimental engineering and scientific projects | 79 world and 96 British records; Innovation reached 55,134 feet |
These records measure different kinds of achievement, so they do not provide a meaningful ranking between the two. The FAI’s 2026 announcements describe Ichiyoshi’s national and organizational role alongside Nott’s combination of flight records and technical experimentation. FAI, 2026.
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- Historic Decoration - Helium balloons were one of aviation's first successes. Since 1783, balloons have traveled the skies, often in unintended directions, making this a beautiful and whimsical conversation piece for any room.
- Fine Hand-Made Details - Each one has hand-applied balloon strips with hand-woven netting and basket. It also comes with wooden toggles and sandbags, giving the piece a highly realistic and detailed design. Measures 22 inches (H).
- Versatile Decorative Piece - This balloon is a great decoration for any area including your home, office, bedroom, kitchen, baby room, coffee shops, libraries, museums, and more!
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- Historic Decoration - Helium balloons were one of aviation's first successes. Since 1783, balloons have traveled the skies, often in unintended directions, making this a beautiful and whimsical conversation piece for any room.
- Fine Hand-Made Details - Each one has hand-applied balloon strips with hand-woven netting and basket. Measures 5.3 inches (H).
- Versatile Decorative Piece - This balloon is a great decoration for any area including your home, office, bedroom, kitchen, baby room, coffee shops, libraries, museums, and more!
- Unique Gift Idea - A fun historic piece full of character and detail, this hot air balloon makes for an excellent gift for any history buff, collector, or model enthusiast.
- Premium Quality - Made with durable materials, this decorative piece has long-lasting quality, making it a piece you can appreciate for many years to come.
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