National Digitool Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Digitool Day is observed in the United States on October 9. Today, August 2019, has been observed as Digitool USA Day, honoring the sole manufacturer of flight instruments for hot air balloons in the United States. Digitool USA is the manufacturer of the Digitool Balloon Instrument model 3 (DBI3), which is the only balloon instrument in the world to receive certification from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In support of National Digitool Day, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will feature a sponsor event that showcases the products manufactured by Digitool USA.

The background of National Digitool Day

Situated in Fayetteville, Georgia, Digitool USA or Balloonacy, Ltd. LLC is a comprehensive hot air balloon facility that provides maintenance and adjustments on all prominent brands of hot air balloons within an FAA-accredited repair facility. The DBI3, the third iteration of their balloon instruments, is manufactured by them. They produce balloon instruments that have received approval from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Among these is the DBI3, which is widely regarded as the leading balloon instrument in the United States. Since 1985, they have been involved in the advancement of electronic and software research and development. They collaborate with the Swedish company Digitool Instruments, which has balloon pilot experience dating back to the late 1970s.

After two years of development, the DBI3 debuted at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2017. The DBI3 is a flight instrument specifically engineered to substitute obsolete instruments and offer a more cost-effective alternative to purchasing new equipment. In addition to an altimeter, variometer, and temperature indicator display, the DBI3 is equipped with an integral GPS that provides ground track and speed information, audio alarms, and a flight timer. In addition, a flash memory capable of storing up to 10,000 hours of recoverable flight data is integrated into the device. It is operated on an internal lithium polymer battery with a maximum charge life of 12 hours and no need to contend with replaceable batteries. At this time, the DBI3 is authorized for installation on fifteen distinct U.S.-certified balloons.

Digitool USA established National Digitool Day in August 2019 to honor the sole American producer of hot air balloon instruments. It is customarily observed annually during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

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Participation in National Digital Instrument Day activities

Attend a ballooning competition

In the event that you are the proud owner of a hot air balloon, observe the occasion by attending a balloon festival. To observe the day, you are not required to use a balloon instrument from Digitool USA.

Purchase and deploy the DBI3

Purchasing DBI3 and installing it in your balloon is a possibility. After that, embark on a hot balloon excursion.

Attend the festival of balloons.

For National Digitool Day, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will serve as the venue. On this day, those interested in hot air balloons may wish to attend the balloon festival.

5 fascinating facts regarding hot air balloons

A military strategist by the name of Zhuge Liang developed an airborne luminary.

In 1783, the Montgolfier siblings constructed their pioneering balloon prototype from a sheep, a duck, and a rooster.

A balloon duel between two Frenchmen occurred in 1808, during which one balloon collided with structures, resulting in the fatalities of their occupants.

In 2010, Christian Brown made his debut with a glass-bottom hot air balloon during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Reconnaissance was conducted via hot air balloon during previous conflicts.

NATIONAL DIGITOOL DAY DATES