Stéphane Rousson's aerosail is a sailboat in the air, which only moves thanks to the wind -

S. Rousson

  • Since 2003, Stéphane Rousson has been working on airship balloon projects.

  • Its objective is to go to Corsica in an aerosail, a balloon that moves through the air without an engine, only with the help of the wind.

It's a bit like the Geo Trouvetout of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Stéphane Rousson, 52, has been a “self-employed handyman” for ten years.

He is also a "passionate about inventions".

Since 2003, he dreams of making his projects a reality by taking to the air as far as Corsica thanks to his "air sailboat", the aerosail, a balloon with a sailboat canvas in rounded shape, inflated with helium. , which only steers with the help of the wind and an element connected to the sea.

In April, a straight-line demonstration flight could take it one step forward and propel the crossing into 2022. The Niçois then launched an appeal for donations to carry out this experiment.

"Redo a more efficient machine and imagine a two-seater"

“Test flights require a lot of anticipation,” comments Stéphane Rousson.

There are a lot of screenings to be done so that everything goes under the best conditions.

I then need to do security management.

And without state aid or sponsor, the biggest difficulty is the logistical means.

With the participatory pot, I could have the budget to inflate the sail and have boats that follow me ”.

No sponsor for this demonstration flight which would take place during the Affoilante week of Fréjus, between April 28 and May 5, but the possibility of contracting one for the rest of the adventure.

"If all goes well and that through this event, I have a good meeting, I could remake a more efficient machine and even make a two-seater", imagines the Niçois.

Aerosail diagram - S. Rousson / T. Minh Lôc / N. Desprez / R. Josset / R. Patrix

In the air, there is only him, the balloon part, the cable which it connects to the sea "as one holds a dog on a leash", and the drift which it allows him to steer.

“There is no drag like there could be at sea, which means that with the little wind I am picking up, I double my speed.

In a straight line, I can reach 8 knots (14 km / h) ”.

Unlike his other project, a bike under the airship where there was muscle propulsion, there is no engine.

"I want to show that I can sail in the air"

In eighteen years, the inventor has had the opportunity to make three test flights to develop his machine.

“Each time, I add one or two unknowns to minimize the risks but continue to move forward on the project.

In Fréjus, the challenge is to go upwind and show that I can sail.

That is to say, choose my direction, no matter where the wind is coming from, he explains.

The icing on the cake is to make a tack ”.

But then, why?

At this question, Stéphane Rousson laughs.

" I do not know !

I love tinkering, aeronautics and I have a passion for technology.

In addition, I am a pioneer in the field so it feels good to have this recognition ”.

He adds: “I also do this to make people dream.

And that feeling in the air is just great.

It's like sailing on a boat but without seasickness. It's completely stable, it doesn't move and it's extremely pleasant ”.

The prize pool to participate in the air sailboat project is open until April 1.

"In the world of adventure, the main thing is to be able to take the start", quotes Stéphane Rousson with his head in the clouds.

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