Originally published at: Balloon Crew Completes Record Atlantic Crossing
The 70-hour flight from Maine to Luxembourg is under official review.
Thanks for posting this article. I wish to make several comments.
First, resoundingly, Bert Padelt should have been listed first when mentioning the balloon’s pilots. Bert was the mastermind, and provided the primary impetus for making this flight. Together with his wife, Joanie, Bert personally constructed the balloon. Bert had dreamt of this flight for decades.
Secondly, this balloon was not “hydrogen powered.” Balloons are unpowered aircraft, and are propelled by wind. This particular balloon used hydrogen as its lifting gas. Bert is a world renowned hydrogen gas balloon builder.
Lastly, the photo accompanying this article is not of the balloon flown by Bert, Peter, and Alicia—it is a photo of a far more common hot-air balloon.
Go see the Double Eagle II at the Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport–first balloon across the Atlantic with Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman in 1978. You can also see the Brietling Orbiter–the first balloon around the world. Best, Vince Massimini