Up in the air!

Hokan Colting was born in Lule’, Sweden. After military service as a mechanic in the Swedish Air Force (poor eyesight stopped him becoming a military pilot), he imported sports cars and flew gliders for fun until he fell in love with hot-air balloons. He bought one, moved into the market, and built a successful company in Ireland, manufacturing and selling balloons as advertising vehicles. The company followed the action to the UK – but then Colting decided to follow his wife to her native Canada. In 1988, he set up 21st Century Airships to build novel airships. In 1992, he set nine world records for…