Allsopp Helikite

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A Helikite lifting a gyro-stabilised camera

The Helikite is a type of kite-balloon or kytoon designed and patented by Sandy Allsopp in the UK.[citation needed]

The Helikite comnprises a combination of a helium balloon and a kite to form a single, aerodynamically sound tethered aircraft, that exploits both wind and helium for its lift.


The Helikite comprises a semi-rigid helium-filled balloon, having a rigid carbon-fibre spine, with the balloon shaped aerodynamically. The balloon is generally oblate-spheroid in shape although this is not essential. Solid spars provide attachment points for payload equipment.



For operation in extreme conditions, a ballonet may be fitted.


A Helikite is a new type of tethered aerostat with its own official classification, distinct from any type of balloon.

The US Customs classifies a Helikite as "other non-powered aircraft", while the British Civil Aviation Authority's Air Navigation Order has created its own classification as "Helikites" as distinct from "kites" and "balloons".

Customs authorities classify the Helikite as a type of kite because of the considerable positive aerodynamic uplift in wind.


Thousands of Helikites have been operated worldwide, over both land and sea.[citation needed]

Helikites are used for aerial photography, lifting antennas, radio-relay, advertising, agricultural bird-control, position marking, and meteorology. The military also use Helikites as jungle marker balloons, for lifting radio-relays, and raising surveillance equipment.[citation needed]

Due to their stability, Helokites are capable of successfully operating non-gyrostabilised cameras, leading to wide use by photographers and cameramen.[citation needed]

A small Helikite may be used as a "personal aerostat" that is small enough for one person to easily operate and yet will fly high in bad weather.

A standard military Helikite surveillance system has 34 m³ volume, and is claimed to outperform a conventional aerostat of 60 m³. These Helikites can lift surveillance equipment above the range of small arms fire, effectively making Helikites unassailable to most threats.[citation needed]

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