The "Adele Vola" project, launched by Confcommercio on the occasion of its 80th anniversary, transforms a story of resilience into a symbol of freedom and inclusion in the skies

The sky over Mondovì, long Italy's capital of aerostatics, has welcomed a new and extraordinary achievement: Adele Gesso, 58, Deputy Commissioner of the Highway Police serving in Mondovì, has become the first woman in the world confined to a wheelchair to obtain a hot-air balloon pilot's licence. The milestone was unveiled by As.com Monregalese, the local Confcommercio, which presented the "Adele Vola" project in the former Mission Church and the former courthouse. The initiative celebrates the Confederation's eightieth anniversary, choosing Adele's story as an emblem of resilience, inclusion and female empowerment.

Adele Gesso's personal story is marked by a serious on-duty accident in 1996 on the Turin–Savona motorway, which left her in a wheelchair. Despite her disability, she continued her career in the State Police, entering the "Roll of Honour" and receiving the knighthood of the Republic. Today she is a reference figure in road safety training, bringing her experience to Italy and abroad.

"I am realising a dream", she said, "but above all I want to convey a message of determination and the willingness to challenge oneself. I will continue to carry out training with one more motivation thanks to this initiative".

The "Adele Vola" project led to the construction, at Cameron Balloons in Bristol (United Kingdom), of a special hot-air balloon branded by Confcommercio. This aerostat, a symbol of freedom, will make its public debut at the Mondovì International Epiphany Aerostatic Gathering, to be held from January 4 to 6, 2026 (according to the calendar of early-year events), flying alongside international balloons.

The exceptional result was achieved thanks to the technical support and training provided by Giovanni "John" Aimo, an illustrious figure and veteran of international aerostatics. Aimo, multiple Italian and international hot-air ballooning champion (he holds pilot licence No. 3 from 1981), is known, among other things, for founding the Mondovì Balloon Aeroclub and the flight school that has trained hundreds of pilots. He developed for Adele the special basket "Duo Air Chair" (an adaptation for hot-air balloons) that allows her to control the balloon completely autonomously.

The initiative, supported by Confcommercio, the State Police and Autostrada dei Fiori (Gavio Group), is not just a sponsorship but, as Mattia Germone, president of Ascom Monregalese, commented, "a message of sensitivity and rebirth that we want to carry into the skies of Italy".

The Inclusive Basket "Duo Air Chair"

The possibility for Adele to pilot independently is linked to the development of the special basket "Duo Air Chair". Designed by John Aimo for his flight school in Mondovì, this structure has been certified for the training and transport of people with motor disabilities, making Aimo's school a unique worldwide reference in this field.

Unlike traditional wicker baskets, the Duo Air Chair is equipped with two comfortable ergonomic seats complete with seat belts instead of the classic standing area. This design allows the pilot with a disability to manage the balloon controls while seated, overcoming physical barriers. The hot-air balloon incorporating this system is, in fact, the only one certified in Italy for a flight school with trainees with disabilities—an innovation that also allowed former RAF (Royal Air Force) pilot Tim Ellison to obtain his licence previously.