Wiltshire explorer hopes to set world record on Atlantic hydrogen balloon trip
Much of Sir David Hempleman-Adams' challenge has been planned out of Bristol
Last updated 28th Jun 2024
An explorer from Wiltshire aims to set a new record by conducting the first-ever flight of an open basket hydrogen balloon across the Atlantic in the next few days.
Sir David Hempleman-Adams, 67, a well-known adventurer, has organised much of the trip in Bristol.
As planned, he will be accompanied by two friends: Bert Padelt, 62, an American balloon manufacturer who has been inducted into the US Ballooning Hall of Fame, and Swedish explorer, scientist, and entrepreneur Dr. Frederik Paulsen, 72.
Their journey is due to start in Maine in a few hours (28th June), passing over Newfoundland, Canada, and crossing the Atlantic Ocean, then continuing over Ireland and Scottish waters before reaching Europe, covering thousands of miles in 4-5 days.
If successful, the crew will be the first and oldest people to cross the Atlantic in a hydrogen balloon, with a combined age of over 200. In addition, they might set a record for completing the longest distance ever covered in this type of balloon.
However, age has never been a problem for Sir David.
He said: “At 67, I'm still young enough to take on a daring hydrogen balloon flight across the Atlantic – age is just a number and the spirit of exploration never fades. My previous two Atlantic flights have been solo and my companions for this trip have no idea how loudly I snore.
“May the weather be with us this time as everything else is planned for and ready. Here’s to the journey ahead, defying gravity and expectations alike.”
If Sir David completes the crossing, he will become the only person to have flown across the Atlantic three times in an open basket balloon.
“Most aeroplanes are all pretty high up, in the 30,000ft range. We'll be flying at about 8,000ft so it'll be completely new atmospheric experiments in that sense,” Sir David said.
He added, “It doesn't matter where we land in Europe, as long as I've got dry feet. It could even be Morocco – I don't care.”
Bert also finds this trip desirable. He said, “What makes this flight so special for me is that it’s the flight I’ve wanted to do since I was 12 – and I’ve dreamt of doing it many times over the years.
“I’ve had a lot of goals in ballooning and have achieved most of them, but long came to the conclusion I’d never accomplish this one, so it’s the flight of a lifetime for me.”
The team is receiving support from The Explorers Club for this endeavour and is applying to carry the prestigious Explorers Club Flag, which is awarded to expeditions that advance the cause of exploration and field science.
They aim to conduct live TV interviews during the flight using WhatsApp, facilitated by Elon Musk’s Starlink, which offers internet access in remote locations.
If you want to read more about Sir David's journey, you can do so here.