IRVINE, CA (Dec. 19, 2015):  The iconic Great Park Balloon will be back in the air Saturday following the completion of scheduled repairs that grounded it in September. Hours of operation for the Balloon are Thursday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.; closed Monday-Wednesday.

As part of a recent routine inspection, a delaminated panel was found at the top of the Balloon. Experts from the Balloon manufacturer, Aeromobile, examined the panel on Sept. 23 and determined the Balloon was not fit for passenger flight due to the deterioration of the fabric.

Installation of the Balloon’s new envelope took place this week. Routine safety checks and test flights were performed, and the Balloon was cleared for takeoff.

The City Council, as part of the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget, on June 23 approved replacement of the balloon envelope, netting and winch cable, which had reached the end of their lifecycle. The replacement was last performed in 2010.