What is Clear Above?
Clear Above cameras are a solution to the problem of flying in traffic with other balloons. Providing a live view from the top of the balloon to your basket, you can now monitor your only blind spot – what’s above!
Any pilot can easily use and benefit from flying with a Clear Above. Ride operators can take advantage of the increased safety within their fleet if flying in a pack, competition pilots with a faster reaction time and less radio chatter, and the recreational pilot at a crowded festival – feeling at ease flying around hundreds of other balloons. Overall, helping situational awareness of pilots with a simple to use tool.
Who is Clear Above?
While flying in competitions around other balloons, I often found myself either asking other pilots if I was “clear above” or hesitating to make a maneuver to get into a target. Asking on the radio is distracting, and making a late move into a target can cost points and could be dangerous without clearance. Being a mechanical engineer who loves to tinker, I figured I could make something to solve these problems. While first intended to be a tool just for myself, the reactions from other pilots told me this was going to bigger than a one-off project.
This system has changed the way I fly, and now I would feel wholly unprepared without it. I hope Clear Above can earn a spot in your cockpit and help you fly more safely, feel confident, and make you comfortable knowing if you are “clear above”.
Landon Kohtz
-Founder of Clear Above
Pilot Testimonials
Here’s what some pilots flying with a Clear Above say:
Joe Zvada
2x National Champion
“The Clear Above system is easy to use and has folded seamlessly into my instrumentation stack. It has enhanced my situational awareness leading to improved safety and competitive advantage. I no longer have to wait for a flying partner to clear me to ascend, I am always aware of what’s above.”
Cameron Wall
Competition & Commercial Pilot
“The Clear Above camera is like having a teammate with me at all times, making sure no one is above me. It’s eliminated one of my biggest stresses at events! Being able to see what’s happening above the envelope in real time makes me a safer, more confident pilot. Whether it’s Balloon Fiesta with 600+ balloons in the sky, a competition where every pilot is aiming for the same target, or even a small local event—awareness is everything. Clear Above is simple to use, reliable, and truly a game changer for ballooning safety.”
Nick Donner
World Champion, 4x National Champion
“Having had the Clear Above for an entire balloon season now my basket is more safe than it’s been since I started flying. Being able to see what is above is practical in all aspects of ballooning, not just competition. I definitely have less anxiety when climbing at any rate now.”
BUILT FOR BALLOONISTS
Engineered for reliability and ease of use.
With clear on/off feedback with an illuminated switch, easy installation during inflation, no-fuss pairing out of the box, and labeled monitor buttons; every part has been designed to be easy to use for your team.
Thoughtful design
Lots of small features were added to make the operation easy for the pilot or crew and to make the product robust. Many iterations of antennas, cases, and top puck designs later we arrived at what you see today.
QUALITY COMPONENTS
There are no corners cut on the quality of the components in the system. From a name brand FPV camera, to high quality 3D prints using fancy engineering plastics, this system is designed to compete as hard as you do.
Battery life
Battery life was very important for the design. The goal was for it to last for a single, very long competition flight, or two more normal length flights.
See all the specific product details in the shop.