Models
| Model | Type | Registered | Valid | Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIREFLY 8B-15 | Balloon | 73 | 73 | 2001-2010 |
| FIREFLY 7-15 | Balloon | 53 | 52 | 2000-2010 |
| FIREFLY 8 | Balloon | 12 | 12 | 2001-2010 |
| FIREFLY 7B-15 | Balloon | 7 | 7 | 2001-2006 |
| FIREFLY 9B-15 | Balloon | 6 | 6 | 2003-2007 |
| FIREFLY 8B | Balloon | 4 | 4 | 2002-2005 |
| FIREFLY 9 | Balloon | 4 | 4 | 2005-2008 |
| GALAXY 8B | Balloon | 4 | 4 | 2002-2009 |
| FIREFLY 7B | Balloon | 3 | 3 | 2004-2006 |
| GALAXY 11B | Balloon | 2 | 2 | 2002-2007 |
| GALAXY 10 | Balloon | 2 | 2 | 2005-2005 |
| GALAXY 11 | Balloon | 1 | 1 | ?-? |
| FIREFLY 7 | Balloon | 1 | 1 | 2003-2003 |
| GALAXY 7 | Balloon | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 |
| FIREFLY 6B | Balloon | 1 | 1 | ?-? |
| GALAXY 8B-15 | Balloon | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 |
Firefly Balloons aircraft in the FAA registry
Firefly Balloons is an American hot air balloon manufacturer that started as Barnes Balloons in 1972 in Statesville, NC. The company is one of the oldest hot air balloon manufacturers in the United States, behind Raven Industries (founded by Ed Yost), SEMCO and Piccard Balloons. The origins of the company's designs can be traced to the work of Tracy Barnes in the late 1960s.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lists 175 registered aircraft under the manufacturer name "FIREFLY BALLOONS INC". Data as of 2026-10-16 shows 174 valid registrations across 16 distinct models. Most of these Firefly Balloons aircraft were built between 2001 and 2010, with half constructed in 2004 or earlier. All registered units are classified as balloon type 175, with 156 in the standard airworthiness class.
Firefly Balloons models dominate the registry with specific production runs. The FIREFLY 8B-15 leads with 73 aircraft built from 2001 to 2009. The FIREFLY 7-15 follows with 53 units built from 2000 to 2010. Other registered Firefly Balloons aircraft include the FIREFLY 8 (12 units, 2001–2010), FIREFLY 7B-15 (7 units), FIREFLY 9B-15 (6 units), and FIREFLY 8B (4 units). Each model has its own page with specifications and the type certificate data sheet (TCDS), and every aircraft has a registration record by N-number.
The Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS) for these top models are held by JR Aerosports Ltd. under TCDS A14SO. This certificate covers the FIREFLY 8B-15, FIREFLY 7-15, FIREFLY 8, FIREFLY 7B-15, and FIREFLY 9B-15. Geographically, Colorado holds 13 registrations, while New York and New Mexico each hold 11.
Figures from the FAA registry file as of Oct 16, 2026. Company background: Wikipedia, Firefly Balloons.